GM Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

GM Research - Essay Example It suppresses appetite by increasing the level of serotonin in the blood supply. Research studies also show that this plant is capable of preventing lipid accumulation in the body thereby helping in weight loss. Garcinia’s applauded ability to help fat people shed weight is due to the presence of a highly active chemical known as hydroxycitric acid. GENETIC ENGINEERING OF GARCINIA Natural Garcinia has a certain concentration of the active chemical. However, with the accelerating percentage of people turning towards Garcinia for easy weight loss has been the main focus of genetic engineers. The rind of the fruit was used to make medicinal extracts. Genetic engineers have modified the plant such that the active chemical is now produced in the rind as well as in the endosperm (pulp) of the fruit Toxicology trials Trials were conducted on animals (rabbits). No serious condition was noticed in animal trials. Mild ocular irritation occurred when the extract was given in the right ey e (Ohia et al,2002), however no literature so far suggest that the extract causes any health problems in humans. LOWER COST TO FARMERS Traditionally the agriculture industry has been the best supporter and beneficiary from innovative technology. Interbreeding and natural selection of plant traits have been a common method to grow naturally modified crops for better yield and plant characters. However, the same technique in the laboratory has been developed paving way for the much debated genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops are not only important to science and researchers but are of immense importance to the farmers as well. The growth projection of GMO’s is directly proportional to the profits of farmers growing the GMO’s. Contrary to the most common perception that growth of genetically modied organisms or plants are anti-democratic in nature, studies and surveys have established that growing these GMO’s are in fact much more beneficial than growing the ordinary forms of the same crop or plants.†In countries where farmers are allowed to grow GM crops, they increasingly choose to do so. In 2010, 15.4 million farmers in 29 countries cultivated GM crops† (James,2010). Growing Garcinia Cambogia will also be equally beneficial to the farmers given that the market demand for the plant is extremely high. Firstly, cultivating Cambogia with the help of genetically engineered seeds would increase the yield. This yield will be much more than that obtained while cultivating Cambogia with the help of ordinary, non-modified seeds of the plant. This helps the farmers obtain much more profit from the same amount of money spend on seeds. Secondly, the genetically modied Garcinia cambogia is resistant to insects, weeds and other pests. Studies have shown that farmers spend a lot on necessary farm products such as weedicides and pesticides. Most genetically modified crops do not need these harmful chemicals for protection. It was seen in a study that â€Å"by 2009, the usage of GM crops had reduced pesticide spraying by 393 million kg of active ingredients, the equivalent of decreasing 17.1% of the global pesticide use (Brookes & Barfoot,2011) While cultivating non-modified variety of Garcinia cambogia, farmers needs to use a lot of money on purchasing these chemicals. However, in case a farmer utilizes the genetically modified seed to cultivate a modified form of insect and weed resistant Garcinia, the money spent on purchasing the chemicals