GM Ethics - Microorganisms - Advantages and disadvantages table in A Level and IB Biology

Created by: Liv
Created on: 23-05-16 21:13


	GM Ethics - Microorganisms
	Advantages Genetically engineered microorganisms produce useful products such as human insulin and human growth hormone. They can be engineered to produce the exact copy of human hormones, so they are faster acting and more effective. There is also a lower chance of developing a tolerance to it, rejection due to an immune response, or infection (from extracting hormones from animals). It is cheaper than animal extraction and the manufacturing process is more adaptable to demand as there is a plentiful, dependable supply. It is not cruel to animals, there are no religious objections and the products can be used by vegetarians.	Disadvantages Genetically engineered microorganisms may escape from containment and transfer genes (which may mutate with unknown effects) to other, pathogenic microorganisms. Genetic engineering often uses antibiotic resistance genes as markers. These genes could be passed to other microorganisms, leading to more widespread antibiotic resistance.
	Evaluation Genetic engineering using microorganisms can be very useful and can improve the quality of human lives, if care is taken to keep aseptic conditions and avoid the escape of microorganisms from containment.

GM Ethics - Microorganisms

Advantages

Genetically engineered microorganisms produce useful products such as human insulin and human growth hormone.
They can be engineered to produce the exact copy of human hormones, so they are faster acting and more effective. There is also a lower chance of developing a tolerance to it, rejection due to an immune response, or infection (from extracting hormones from animals).
It is cheaper than animal extraction and the manufacturing process is more adaptable to demand as there is a plentiful, dependable supply.
It is not cruel to animals, there are no religious objections and the products can be used by vegetarians.

Disadvantages

Genetically engineered microorganisms may escape from containment and transfer genes (which may mutate with unknown effects) to other, pathogenic microorganisms.
Genetic engineering often uses antibiotic resistance genes as markers. These genes could be passed to other microorganisms, leading to more widespread antibiotic resistance.

Evaluation

Genetic engineering using microorganisms can be very useful and can improve the quality of human lives, if care is taken to keep aseptic conditions and avoid the escape of microorganisms from containment.

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GM Ethics - Microorganisms

GM Ethics - Microorganisms

Advantages

Disadvantages

Evaluation

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GM Ethics - Microorganisms

Advantages

Disadvantages

Evaluation

Comments

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