Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

1. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. People with Zika virus disease usually have symptoms that can include mild fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available against the virus. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.

Recently in

Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome which coincided with Zika virus infections in the general public, as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. A biotechnology company named Oxitec, is involved in efforts to reduce the numbers of Zika transmitting mosquitoes in Brazil. Oxitec has engineered a GM mosquito which it hopes can control the mosquito population and thereby potentially halt the spread of the Zika virus. Oxitec's GM male mosquitoes, are released into the wild and compete with native males for mates. The GM mosquitoes aren't sterile; instead, they are engineered to vastly overproduce a protein that will rapidly kill them and any offspring. Thereby, overtime reducing the overall mosquito population.

* Discuss the pros and cons associated with the release of these GM mosquitoes into the wild.

(Remember to include all references, at least 3 journal articles referenced).

2. In 2007, 216 million tons of soybeans were produced worldwide. The world's leading soybean producers are the United States (33%), Brazil (27%), Argentina (21%), and China (7%). India and Paraguay are also large soybean producers. The first genetically modified soybeans were planted in the United States in 1996. Twenty years later, GM soybeans are planted in at least nine countries covering more than 60 million hectares.

These GM soybeans possess a gene that confers herbicide resistance.

* Discuss the pros and cons of genetically modified plants. Your answer should discuss the potential impacts on public health and the environment.

(Remember to include all references, at least 3 journal articles referenced)

Requirements:

1. Students need to write approximately one page per question (single space, font 12)
2. At least 3 journal articles referenced per question. (Wikipedia is not an acceptable source.)
3. A reference list must be included with your submission.
4. Pros & cons must be discussed in clear & concise manner.
5. Correct spelling & grammar.