GMO products Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

GMO products - Essay Example The engineering involves either adding a gene or genes to the plant’s genome or removal of the genes. (Freedman, 2009).  The methods used include gene guns, microinjection, electroparaton and agrobacterium. There are advanced methods that are more convenient which are the Crispr and Talen techniques. (Halford, 2006).   The gene guns technique uses radiations that are target the genes into a cell of a plant. The new DNA is combined to very small particles of tungsten or gold which are then shot into the target plant tissue or cell and all this is subjected to high pressures. The particles enter the cell membranes/cell wall and the DNA enters into the nucleus by detaching itself from the metal. This method has been used mainly in the production of maize and corn. The agrobacterium method uses the agrobacteria-organisms that are parasitic in nature and have the ability to transfer genes. They insert their genetic materials in a plant to create a convenient environment for themselves. This organisms are used in genetically engineering by removing their DNA and replacing it with the intended gene, allowing the transfer of the gene into plants. This method has been commonly used to produce tomatoes and potatoes. The electroparation is mainly used in plants whose cells do not contain a cell wall. Here, electric pulses cause the DNA to be put into the target plant cell through pores. Microinjection involves directly injecting a gene into the target plant’s DNA. The most common food alterations is concentrated mainly in cash crops that have high demand for example, soybean, corn and canola seeds. They are altered to make them resistant to diseases and to tolerate herbicides improving their quality. There are three types of modifications:- the transgenic method that involves the transfer of genes from one plant to another or from a bacterium to a plant. These plants are used to make or process proteins that help in making the plant tolerant and

Technology--the solution to prevent terrorism in the US food system Coursework

Technology--the solution to prevent terrorism in the US food system - Coursework Example Thermal Imaging is a non-contact, non-invasive kind of technique to detect food contaminations or modifications. It converts the invisible radiation emitted by a body or object into temperature data. This helps detect a specific kind of contamination in the food. Thermal Imaging can best be used for detecting foreign bodies and pathogenic objects in food material. This paper will also examine the recent technological advances in global food security that include Duponts BAX detection system and RiboPrinter system as these technologies can help in meeting the challenges posed by possible food terrorism in nation’s food delivery system. DuPonts RiboPrinter system is also not only user friendly but detect the biological contamination with accuracy because it analyses genetic information for identifying the specific strain. The paper concludes with recommendations based on current objectives to thwart risks posed by terrorists in food systems so that major losses and damages can be averted. In the world of globalization, food outsourcing and food movement is a common phenomenon depending upon its cost economics and supply abundance. However, at the same time, this raises the risk of food terrorism by introducing harmful pathogens or chemicals. Terrorist groups or individuals are inventing newer and newer ways and means, without limiting themselves to any specific geographical region, to achieve their ulterior motives. What happened on 9/11 was not anticipated by the US government and people in their dreams. Taking heed from the ominous incident of 9/11, it is prudent to assume that terrorists can go to any extent to spread terrorism by getting access to food supply and incorporating biological or chemical agents and jeopardize the existence of large populations. In the new millennia, food supply has been recognized as a major risk area of mass destruction – much bigger in proportion than what has