• Question: What do you think of genetic modification?

    Asked by christopher4109 to Indi, Jarv, John, Ken, Vicky on 16 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Vicky Young

      Vicky Young answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      I think genetic modification is great when used correctly. For instance our survival is dependent on the world producing enough food for us to eat. If there is a virus that can destroy all the crops in a certain area of Africa then there will be a shortage of food. However we now have the capability to genetically modify crops to be resistant to these viruses and other plant diseases. This ensures that the crops always grow in Africa and can feed millions of people. Plant diseases like this used to be very common and was the cause of the huge potato famine in Ireland 100 years ago.

      So genetic modification like this can be very beneficial to us and can help save thousands of lives.

    • Photo: Ken Dutton-Regester

      Ken Dutton-Regester answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      I am pro genetic modification- this is based on the fact that this area is tightly controlled by strict regulations. Obviously there would be situations where genetic modification would be bad- such as making a killer flu virus. There is alot of concern that genetic modifcation of food is bad- I think alot of this is unfounded. Technically, genetic modification of plants has been going around for a long time- cross breeding plants or any animals is a form of genetic modification. It just seems more ‘natural’ than thoruhg the use of a test tube.

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