Transgénicos
O que são?
São organismos geneticamente modificados (OGM) criados em laboratório, cujo material genético foi alterado com uma tecnologia que permite a introdução de genes específicos de um organismo noutro, com o objectivo de lhe dar alguma qualidade que não possui tornando-se assim mais vantajoso. Cientistas e representantes da indústria agro química argumentam que as culturas transgénicas são um poderoso agente de preservação do ambiente, na medida em que os genes de resistência a pragas e de tolerância a herbicidas permitem a redução do uso de veneno nas lavouras.Será que os transgénicos sao mesmo bons para o meio ambiente?
Mas como em tudo na vida, há vantagens e desvantagens
Vantagens:
- Capacidade para aumentar a produtividade agrícola;
- Resistência a pragas;
- Os alimentos são mais nutritivos;
- Desenvolvimento de espécies alimentares com características desejáveis;
- Reduz o gasto de dinheiro em pesticidas (vantagem económica);
- Maior nível de protecção de plantas, aumentando a sua durabilidade e protecção contra agressores externos (insectos);
- Amadurecimento retardado dos alimentos, como por exemplo o tomate.
Desvantagens:
- Alergias alimentares;
- Problemas gastrointestinais;
- Diminui a quantidade de substâncias benéficas, incluindo as protegem contra o cancro;
- Diminui a diversidade genética na agricultura;
- Aumentam os riscos para a saúde humana.
O esquema abaixo ajuda a compreender como é que as modificações nos genes funcionam:
Os transgénicos não são só utilizados em alimentos, também são utilizados em animais:
Animais transgénicos são aqueles cujo genoma foi alterado para incluir genes de outros animais ou outras espécies.Assim, os animais transgénicos têm as suas propriedades hereditárias modificadas permanentemente, pela introdução de DNA nas suas células embrionárias.
As técnicas transgénicas têm sido aplicadas a diversas espécies incluindo ovelhas, vacas, galinhas, cabras, peixes, porcos e coelhos mas, os ratos têm sido, sem dúvidas os animais mais utilizados e com maior sucesso.
Porém, aqui ficam 3 perguntas:
- É correcto utilizar animais para experiencias deste tipo?
- Quais são as consequências evolutivas e ambientais deste tipo de manipulação genética?
- Serão os transgénicos um bom alimento para o futuro?
E vocês? Que opinião tem? São a favor ou são contra a utilização dos transgénicos tanto na alimentação como nos animais? Comentem!! Deixem a vossa opinião!!
----
Transgenic
What are they?
Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) reared in the laboratory, whose genetic material has been altered with a technology that allows the introduction of specific genes from one organism in another, in order to give some quality that does not have making it more advantageous. Scientists and agrochemical industry representatives argue that GM crops are a powerful agent of preservation of the environment, in that the genes for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance allow to reduce the use of poison on crops.
Will GM be even good for the environment?
As with everything in life there are advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Ability to increase agricultural productivity;
- Tolerance to herbicides;
- Resistance to pests;
- Food is more nutritious;
- Development of food species with desirable characteristics;
- Reduce spending money on pesticides (economic advantage);
- Increased level of protection of plants, increasing its durability and protection against external aggressors (insects);
- Delayed ripening of food such as tomatoes.
Disadvantages:
- Resistance of bacterias in the human organism to antibiotics;
- Food allergies;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Decreases the amount of beneficial substances, including protecting against cancer;
- Decreases the genetic diversity in agriculture;
- Increase the risks to human health.
GMOs are not only used in foods, are also used in animals:
Transgenic animals are those whose genome has been modified to include genes from other animals or other species.
Thus, transgenic animals have their hereditary estates permanently modified by the introduction of DNA in their germ cells.
Transgenic techniques have been applied to several species including sheep, cows, chickens, goats, fish, pigs and rabbits, but mice have been without doubt the most used animal and with greater success.
However, here are three questions:
- Is it right to use animals for experiments of this kind?
- What are the environmental and evolutionary consequences of this type of genetic manipulation?
- Are GMOs a good food for the future?
And you? What do you think? Do you agree in the use of trangenics on food and animals? Comment! Let us know your opinion!
in: http://boasaude.uol.com.br/lib/ShowDoc.cfm?LibDocID=3833&ReturnCatID=1775
Transgenic
What are they?
Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) reared in the laboratory, whose genetic material has been altered with a technology that allows the introduction of specific genes from one organism in another, in order to give some quality that does not have making it more advantageous. Scientists and agrochemical industry representatives argue that GM crops are a powerful agent of preservation of the environment, in that the genes for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance allow to reduce the use of poison on crops.
Will GM be even good for the environment?
As with everything in life there are advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Ability to increase agricultural productivity;
- Tolerance to herbicides;
- Resistance to pests;
- Food is more nutritious;
- Development of food species with desirable characteristics;
- Reduce spending money on pesticides (economic advantage);
- Increased level of protection of plants, increasing its durability and protection against external aggressors (insects);
- Delayed ripening of food such as tomatoes.
Disadvantages:
- Resistance of bacterias in the human organism to antibiotics;
- Food allergies;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Decreases the amount of beneficial substances, including protecting against cancer;
- Decreases the genetic diversity in agriculture;
- Increase the risks to human health.
GMOs are not only used in foods, are also used in animals:
Transgenic animals are those whose genome has been modified to include genes from other animals or other species.
Thus, transgenic animals have their hereditary estates permanently modified by the introduction of DNA in their germ cells.
Transgenic techniques have been applied to several species including sheep, cows, chickens, goats, fish, pigs and rabbits, but mice have been without doubt the most used animal and with greater success.
However, here are three questions:
- Is it right to use animals for experiments of this kind?
- What are the environmental and evolutionary consequences of this type of genetic manipulation?
- Are GMOs a good food for the future?
And you? What do you think? Do you agree in the use of trangenics on food and animals? Comment! Let us know your opinion!
in: http://boasaude.uol.com.br/lib/ShowDoc.cfm?LibDocID=3833&ReturnCatID=1775







