Earth contains ecosystems whose health depends on a balance, known as biodiversity, of different plant and animal species. Biotechnology threatens biodiversity by introducing a single type of organism, such as a genetically modified seed, across a wide area.
Renown agricultural ecologist Dr. Miguel Altieri of the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrates that in areas where genetically modified crops have been introduced, plants have lost some of their natural resistance to drought or other adverse conditions. This loss is the cause of the lack of biodiversity.
Due to Biotechnology destroying some of the plant's natural characteristics that are important to the surroundings, the natural habitat of several animals may also be affected.
Harms to Animal Life
As animals and insects feed on crops, agricultural biotechnology can severely harm the health of important species. For example, the monarch butterfly is dying because of exposure to the toxins in genetically modified crops. Biotechnology also can harm insect and animal life by producing new allergies, antibiotic resistance and illness, as well as potentially disrupting normal hormone levels.
Not only that, In the process of modifying food using biotechnology, certain toxics will be injected into the food and when the animals unknowingly eat them, they may eventually die.
Sources:
- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_negative_impacts_of_biotechnology
- http://www.ehow.com/info_8188853_biotechnology-negative-effects-environment.html#ixzz2QMTiSDN7
-Nicole :)
besides impacts on animals, has there been effects on plants? or the environment?
ReplyDeletefor example, environmental issues such as air, water or land pollution?
ReplyDeleteYes, there has been impacts on plants. Those plants that have been genetically modified via bio technology can spread genetically-engineered genes to indigenous plants and the toxins that had been injected into the plant can spread to other plants or around that ecosystem. New weeds may also be created by biotechnology, which will affect the food chain :)
ReplyDelete