GM Fish, Benefits and Consequences

1. Abstract The main point of this presentation is primarily meant to explore the issues that GM fish have upon the environment and society. More specifically, the related topics seek to explore the methods of such processes, its potential benefits and detriments and the reason why such measures of having GM fish might be needed. Benefits There are a multitude of benefits from the production of GM fish. One main example is an increased growth and maturation rate which improves production yields (Muir). Others includes resistance to certain diseases, toleration of harsher environments, better nutrition use, etc (Muir). GM Fish, Benefits and Consequences Consequences There is also a variety of consequences from GM fish. An example would be an escaped GM fish breeding in the wild, causing genetic drift in the general population (Le Curieux-Belfond et al. 3). Other issues includes allergies, toxicity, risks in threatening the equilibrium of the environment, etc (Le Curieux-Belfond et al. 6-8). Along with other issues like the social and economic impact of these GM fish (“Congress members seek to block approval of GM salmon”). Reason The main reason as to why there is a growing interest in the idea of farming and harvesting GM fish, is because of certain issues like keeping up with the global demand for food. As the yields for traditionally caught fish gradually fall short in meeting global demands that could double by the middle of the century, it is important that there should be an increased focus of GM fish aquaculture (Walsh). Graph indicates multiple scenarios in which regular fish catch either shrinks or plateaus (Roper). By Gino Llave Basic Process Genetically modifying certain organisms is a step away from the traditional methods of breeding certain organisms together to produce a certain product with desirable traits. Basically, it includes inserting desired genes from one organism to another and/or changing the target organism’s gene (“What is genetic modification”). One trick for example is to “nurture genetically modified cells into live fry” through the use of “primordial germ cells”, which in turn would allow a certain percentage to develop and pass on that desired gene (“New method of making GM fish”). Graph on the left indicates global population growth which in turn translates into increased demands for global food production (“Executive Summary”). Works Cited -Biotechnology/Sustainability. Conservation Technology Information Center. Purdue U. Web. 1 May. 2012. -"Congress members seek to block approval of GM salmon." Associated Press. The Guardian, 12 September. 2011. Web. 1 May. 2012. -Le Curieux-Belfond, Olivier., Louise Vandelac, and Gilles-ÉricSéralini. "Factors to consider before production and commercialization of aquatic genetically modified organisms: the case of transgenic salmon." Environmental Science and Policy 12 (2009). PDF. 1 May. 2012. -Muir, William M. "The threats and benefits of GM fish." Embo Reports 5.7 (2004). Web. 1 May. 2012. -"New method of making GM fish." The Guardian. The Guardian, 1 October. 2003. Web. 1 May. 2011. -"New method of making GM fish." The Guardian. The Guardian, 1 October. 2003. Web. 1 May. 2011. -Roper, L. David. World Peak Fishing. 5 April. 2012. Web. 1 May. 2012 -Walsh, Brian. "Frankenfish: Is GM Salmon a Vital Part of Our Future?." Time. Time, 12 July. 2011. Web. 1 May. 2012.