Question

The Age of Genetics was created by remarkable advances in the use of biotechnology to manipulate plant and animal genomes. Given that the world population has topped 6 billion and is expected to reach 9.2 billion by 2050, some scientists have proposed that only the worldwide introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods will increase crop yields enough to meet future nutritional demands. Pest resistance, herbicide, cold, drought, and salinity tolerance, along with increased nutrition, are seen as positive attributes of GM foods. However, others caution that unintended harm to other organisms, reduced effectiveness to pesticides, gene transfer to nontarget species, allergenicity, and as yet unknown effects on human health are potential concerns regarding GM foods.
If you were in a posi- tion to control the introduction of a GM primary food product (rice, for example),
what criteria would you establish before allowing such introduction?
a.cost of production
b.environmental impact
c.ability to supply small quantities
d.external consistency
e.likelihood of cross-pollination

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer will be environmental impact and likelihood of cross-pollination.

Explanation:

The prime concern at the time of the implementation of genetically modified foods is their influence on the environment. The tendency to supply in large quantities or external consistency will not be a major worry for the introduction of genetically modified foods.  

However, if the presented genetically modified foods possess the tendency to cross-pollinate with other crops then it can result in unintentional gene transfer and can harm the entire environment including the health of human beings. Apart from this the cost of production would also be not a prime worry for the introduction of genetically modified foods as large scale production or progression in new technology can minimize the overall cost of production.