Technology and Food Production
Over the past couple of decades much debate has been going on about the use of advanced technology in the field of food science. Ever since the first gene was cloned in 1973, genetic engineers have been pursuing at break-neck speed. Their excitement, which has eared billions of investment dollars for the industry, is understandable. One of the more current and controversial issues in the field of food science is the use of genetic engineering in food production. Food scientists are experimenting with many different plants, but the genetic engineering of the tomato, dubbed Flavr Savr has been the most highly publicized project so far. The new tomato is supposed to boast more flavor and be tastier due to its longer staying time on the vine, thereby giving it more time to accumulate sweetness; yet, it will not rot or spoil because of its new genetic makeup (Davidson). With this advanced technology, food scientists argue that it could offer the greatest hope in the aid to stop hunger of the world. This new technology could be used to make bulk levels of food production more efficient and less costly. However, despite all of its advantages in creating better crops, many people are very skeptical about its safeties and possible
long-term health effects. Moreover, the social issue lies with ethical and moral concerns. Do people really want to eat meat that is leaner and tastier but contains genes from humans? Or, would individuals (like vegetarians) be able to eat certain vegetables that may contain genes from animals? Through decades of research, scientists have learned of the different pathogens that prey on humans, animals, and major crops. Scientists cannot really predict whether engineering of foods will stop the pathogens. Nevertheless, all their new discoveries and creations might lead to a new and unexpected group disease resident crop and livestock. This is why I think that genetic engineering of food will sever a purpose in the years to come by stop disease causing pathogens. Since tomatoes have a softening gene, it produces RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) to help manufacture a protein that causes rotting. To stop the tomatoes going soft too soon, the researchers devised a way to block production of the enzyme, which keeps the fruit from rotting (Miller). The food scientists inserted a mirror image of the softening gene that produces a reverse copy of the RNA. This reverse RNA blocks the action of the regular RNA and helps to preserve the fruit. All in all, these scientists seem to have produc
Some topics in this essay:
Flavr Savr,
Ribonucleic Acid,
Drug Administration,
,
genetic engineering,
food scientists,
genetic engineering food,
engineering food,
food science,
softening gene produces,
stop hunger world,
science genetic engineering,
field food science,
technology food,
softening gene,
stop hunger,
science genetic,
food production,
gene produces,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 871
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on Technology and Food Production Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|