GMO Persuasive Essay

Genetically modified organism can be a very hot topic to discuss. Some people are in favor of it and some people are against it. Lievens states that “Genetically modified organism, GMO, are micro organisms whose genetic characteristic are modified artificially in order to give them a new property.” GMO’s have been around for a long time and are still being studied today. History of the Genetically Modified Organisms, GMO, dates back to about 32,000 years ago. Our ancestors used this method, except they called it selective breeding or artificial selection (Rangel). This was basically DNA under the influence of organisms being transferred to another. Dogs were the first animal our ancestors used the artificial selection on. While these dogs

In 1973 Herbert Boyer, and Stanley Cohen worked together and had a huge breakthrough within the GMO technology and it was very successful. These two-scientist cut a gene from one organism out and fastened it to another developing something new. Rudolf Jaenisch, and Beatrice Mintz took the same procedure and made a foreign mouse out of different DNA embryos in 1974. Towards the end of 1974, genetically modified organism was commonly known around the world and being observed. The Asilomar Conference of 1975 was a big debate between scientist, lawyer, and government officials over the safety of genetically modified organism and it lasted for three days, explains Rangel. At the end of the third day, they came to the conclusion that genetically modified organism should be allowed to continue but only by following certain guide lines. In

Since the first genetically modified livestock was reported, there has been nothing but good things come from it. Many goals have been met and made to help modify several aspects of different farm animals to improve their cultivation (Lievens). There are many different traits scientist are targeting and hoping they can improve on; animal health, disease resistance, growth rate, improvement of the meat, milk composition, and increase on wool growth to help with the wool production. Scientist believe that by focusing on these certain traits we can produce wonderful animals that can help our world have better quality meat, milk, and even wool for our clothes. Lievens tells us that one of the main branches of animal modification is molecular farming, pharming, and this is where pharmaceuticals are manufacturing transgenic animals. Animals are recombinant cell cultures, meaning they are more attractive in their metabolic pathways, are more reproducible, easily maintained and do not require expensive infrastructure. Within the recombinant proteins, they produce mammalian milk which offers a more flexible production. Being able to produce a flexible production will put the owner at an ease. This is because they won’t have to worry about dealing with finding a way to milk the young. Another application to making genetically modified organism stronger is the suitability of animal organs. This is