Phytopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical compounds that are found in plants. They can be naturally occurring or a result of biote
chnology. Recently, scientists created genetically modified (GM) corn that produces the antibiotic penicillin. The seeds of this GM corn contain a large amount of the antibiotic penicillin, making the cost of producing the penicillin much cheaper and making the method of delivering it to patients in need much easier. Given the benefits of this GM corn, which of the following may be a concern regarding its production? A.The GM corn may develop infections from bacteria that are sensitive to the antibiotic.
B.The GM corn might pass resistant genes to other organisms, like birds, that may eat the seeds.
C.Because corn uses the wind for pollination, people allergic to penicillin may be at risk for exposure to the antibiotic in the air.
D.Increased availability of the antibiotic may increase the development of antibiotic resistance in the infectious agents penicillin is used to treat.
The answer is D.Increased availability of the antibiotic may increase the development of antibiotic resistance in the infectious agents penicillin is used to treat.
