Bt Corn

Bibliography

"Pros of Bt Corn." Pros of Bt Corn. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Ireland's GMO laws

"Cons of Bt Corn." Cons of Bt Corn. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

"Artificial Selection." Artificial Selection. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.

All GM crops were banned for cultivation in 2009.

Bt Corn GMO

Restriction Enzymes and Ligase

A restriction enzyme (or restriction endonuclease) is an enzyme that cuts DNA at or near specific recognition nucleotide sequences known as restriction sites.

Universal Genetic Code

Ligase: plays a role in repairing single-strand breaks in duplex DNA

Genetic Recombination

The genetic code is known as "universal", because it is used by all known organisms as a code for DNA, mRNA, and tRNA

Artificial Selection

Genetic Recombination is when the genetic makeup and DNA of an organism is artificially altered or a genetic trait from one organism is transferred to another organism.

Cons

Artificial selection is an artificial mechanism by which evolution can occur. It is most commonly seen with the careful breeding of plants or animals in order to promote traits that suit human preferences. In this case, it is synonymous with the more widely used phrase selective breeding. It contrasts to natural selection in that it is both intentional and guided.'

"Artificial Selection." Artificial Selection. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.

Pros

Genetic pollution from the Bt corn is also another concern. It is thought that the genes can spread into other organisms through pollen, seeds and microbial process.

The total herbicides used with the herbicide resistant crops will kill all weeds and reduce the biodiversity. This in turn will affect the crops because if one species is taken out completely, you cannot successfully predict what will happen to the other species.

The Bt corn can also kill other beneficial insects such as the monarch butterfly, bees, and ladybugs. Also putting the Bt toxin in the corn will subject the insects to the toxin longer and thus can in turn allow a natural genetic resistance to the toxin.

"Cons of Bt Corn." Cons of Bt Corn. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

The herbicide resistance enables the plants to be sprayed with herbicides and they will not be killed. This will enable the farmers to spray herbicides and remove only the unwanted plants such as weeds.

No insecticidal sprays will be needed on the Bt corn, because the insecticide is already engineered into it. Also less insect damage means less opportunity to develop fungi to infect the plant and bring toxic substances.

This may also help solve hunger worldwide because the Bt corn can have a higher growing yield and effective utilization of scare land because of better pest resistance and nutrient utilization

"Pros of Bt Corn." Pros of Bt Corn. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Bt Corn