This controversial technology has now become commonplace
In the post-COVID era, there’s been plenty of fresh controversy around scientific and medical procedures. This has included things like vaccines and even things like the efficacy and safety in modern medicine.
While healthcare is typically a large beneficiary of modern research, one field that is also a font runner tends to fly under the radar for many people. Providing food the world over, as well as a revolution in genetic development, Genetic development has been an often controversial topic in our modern world.
In today's What The Tech, we’ll be exploring the history of genetic modification and its impact on modern agriculture. From crops to animals, there’s no denying the impact of this often controversial technique.
Dolly the Sheep would achieve global fame. Source: Wikipedia.

Background

While modern techniques are insanely detailed, the basis of genetic modification comes from a technique that’s as old as time itself. Selective breeding would evolve from strategies that looked to optimise techniques around animal husbandry and cropping.
The first records of this began thousands of years ago and it wasn’t scientific at all. Farmers at the time would select both animals and crops with favourable traits and focus their efforts on these, seeking long-term generational changes. These efforts would continue throughout history helping lay the foundations for increased yield and even the domestication of animals like dogs as well.
It would take modern technology along with the discovery and understanding of the DNA structure before we would be able to use modern innovations to streamline this process.
An interesting side note to occur before this happened though, would be the concept of mutation breeding. Focusing on plants, this type of breeding would exploit changes in the cell structure that would be induced via chemicals, enzymes and even radiation. It’s fair to say that producers knew what they were looking for, even if the scientific methods of the time were unable to support that process.

The Modern Revolution

With the discovery of DNA, scientists were now on the path to exploring selective traits without needing to undergo the process of multi-generation breeding to achieve it. With commercial agriculture being such a lucrative industry, it’s natural that this would be the first area to be explored by researchers.
It would be in 1972 when the first noteworthy steps would be achieved. Paul Berg created the first recombinant DNA molecule by combining DNA from different species and founding modern Genetic engineering. This achievement would be expanded on in 1973 when Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen developed a method to cut and paste DNA, introducing foreign genes into bacteria, and creating the first genetically modified organism (GMO).
Insulin would be changed forever. Source: Wikipedia.
Once the foundations were laid the research started to move beyond agriculture. In fact, diabetics would be the first to benefit as genetically modified bacteria would provide affordable insulin, making the condition much more manageable. This would also be the first time that the USA’s FDA would be involved in assessing and approving a product based on genetic modification.
As technology improved, the 1990s would lead to the launch of a number of notable products that included genetically modified components.

Key Products

In 1998, Dolly the Sheep achieved global fame when she became the most visible sign of genetic modification in mammals, opening the door to other research opportunities in the future.
The first seeds were literally lab-grown. Source: Wikipedia.
By the time this occurred though, there was already a large number of products that had quietly hit the mainstream market. The “Flavr Savr” tomato was launched in 1994 and used genetic improvements to improve both its taste and its storage life. Farmers were also using genetically improved seed crops to increase their overall yields. BT Corn would be genetically improved to become resistant to pests, while “Roundup Ready” soybeans would be immune to the effects of glyphosate at a molecular level.
We’d also see fortification evolve as part of the improvement process. “Golden Rice” was modified to include beta-carotene, which is naturally turned into Vitamin A, helping to address issues with malnutrition.
A genetic improvement would also help save the papaya. When the papaya ringspot virus threatened the entire industry, virus-resistant fruit would enable the industry to get through the worst of the crisis
The papaya was able to navigate disease with the assistance of GM. Source: Wikipedia.

Controversy

While it’s provided a mini-revolution across industries, there’s no denying that genetic modification of all types has been a seriously controversial topic. Not only did the process come with ethical issues when applied to mammals and animals, but the process would unlock new discussions focusing on intellectual property and corporate ownership.
One of the biggest controversies though would be the impact of genetically modified products on the human body, as well as a distinct lack of credible, long-term research monitoring its effects.
These circumstances, which initially were deemed to be the focus of “fringe groups” would eventually reach mainstream discussions. Even today there are legitimate questions to be asked regarding the impact of these products over the long term.
Monstanto would attract controversy for their role in the modification process. Source: Wikipedia.
As one of the largest producers of seed and agricultural products globally, the Monsanto Group would receive intense focus at points during these discussions. Monsanto would also attract controversy due to its use of legal action to protect its genetically modified seeds. This would result in some lawsuits that while understandable, did little to improve its standing in the public eye. Monsanto would eventually be acquired by Bayer AG in 2018.
Golden Rice is fortified with beta-carotene, helping to improve nutrition. Source: Wikipedia.

In Closing

While there’s no denying that it’s controversial, it’s also managed to improve life for many across the globe. As such, barring any currently unknown long-term impacts, it’s reasonable to assume that in the future research around the process will remain ongoing.
From this perspective, the reality is that there is still plenty of useful research to be carried out regarding the field and its processes. Genetic improvement gives us the ability to provide custom therapy and medical processes at the molecular level leading to improved standards of care and new ways to fight disease.
There are also environmental benefits that come with the process. Crops can achieve improved yields with fewer pesticides, while endangered species can be recovered using genetic improvements to help mitigate adverse factors.
These offer many potential benefits to society, but there’s no arguing that for these benefits to be achieved, further long-term research and much global discussion around the topic are still required. The best results will be achieved when public confidence and trust in the process are also considered.
What The Tech is our recurring, twice-monthly piece that looks at the technology that was essential in shaping our modern world.
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