Pros and Cons of Cloning Animals for Human Consumption

In this unit you are learning about the basics of DNA and its role in genetics and genetic engineering. Genetically modified foods are a fast and growing trend in agriculture. Did you know that in the United States, companies are not required by law to mark any food sold as genetically modified? After approximately eight years of research, the Food and Drug Administration reported that the consumption of genetically modified foods are as safe to eat as non-genetically modified foods.

Cloning and or genetically engineered agriculture may potentially give rise to mono-cultured organisms. Mono-cultured organisms are clones made from a specific genetically modified organism of interest. For example, if a company has a chicken that produces more breast meat over another chicken, they can make a genetic copy of that chicken in order to produce a higher yield. While this process is advantageous for companies, how will it affect the GMO and consumers in the long run? While biotechnology advances, other species such as bacteria must also adapt to their environment for survival. One mutation in bacteria can wipe out the entire stock of mono-cultured organism and potentially affect humans. So many pose the question, was eight years of research enough to determine GMO's are actually safe for human and animal consumption? In order to fulfill company demands, plants and animals are often cloned for the sole purpose of supplying food for human consumption.

For your initial post create an argument either in support of or in opposition to the use of plant and animal genetic engineering and cloning for human consumption.

• If your last name begins with the letter M-Z, please create an argument against the use of plant and animal genetic engineering and cloning for human consumption. Discuss why using animal cloning for human consumption is a bad idea. Additionally, discuss any long term global impacts you foresee this having and how this change in biotechnology harms the future of agriculture and science.