Biotehnologija i ekologija
Biotechnology and Ecology

Summary/Abstract: Despite criticism, modern biotechnology and genetic engineering have found wide application in various fields of economy such as medicine, pharmacy, industry and agriculture as well as in a variety of environmental treatments. Depending on its application, genetic engineering may be either detrimental or useful for the natural environment of humans and other organisms. Among hazardous effects of GMO on the environment, the most frequent one is the gene exchange between genetically modified and conventional plants, which leads to genetic contamination. In addition, genetically modified plants may be toxic to non-target species, they may pose a threat to the ecosystem of soil, while the long-term effects of genetically modified organisms are still not known. However, genetic engineering may have beneficial effects on the environment. Apart from reducing the amount of pesticides, GMO may reduce or completely remove some harmful waste or environmental pollutants such as hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. One of useful methods in cleaning the environment would be degradation of plastic substances which pose a major problem today. Nevertheless, when estimating the adverse effects of GMOs on the environment they should always be compared to conventional methods since these can have some side effects too.

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