Transgenic Crops
...e from another unrelated plant, or from a completely different species: Transgenic BT corn, for example, which produces its own insecticide, contains a gene from a bacterium (Nossal, 1988). Plants containing transgenes are often called genetically modified or GM crops, although in reality all crops have been genetically modified from their original wild state by domestication, selection and controlled breeding over long periods (Nossal, 1988). Some examples of actual transgenic crops are soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, tomato and potato. Very soon, there will be more new crops like grapes and wine, coffee, tea, bananas, tobacco and other types of tomatoes. Transgenic crops have many qualities that are a mystery to common opinion. The main benefits they bring are related to health and economy. First, they have been tested and developed for decades and their production is effective and cheap when taken to greater quantities. Second, Transgenic crop production is known as the most quickly adopted technology in the world (Canales, 2003). Next, their attributes can be modified and controlled, making the crops more resistant to biotic stresses like plagues and herbicides. In addition, GM crops can be very nutritive for their high quantity of nutrients like vitamins. Finally, their crops are convenient to consumers, satisfying there nutritional needs, and can bring economical benefits to enterprises, governments and countries (Canales, 2003). There are many advantages to using transgenic crops, but they also bring disadvantages, like allergies, diseases and genetic virus in people. Genes have to be changed in order to make these crops healthier, but as genetics is still developing, it cannot be correctly used every time. This causes some viruses and illnesses that are not always easy to control (Nossal, 1988). In addition, some people can be allergic to products because the changes that this products was suffer. Also, these crops have an environmental risk. This technology is supposed to reduce the use of herbicides by adding some elements that make crops stronger, but this solution can cause serious environmental problems because it...