I.

INTRODUCTION

Socio-economic and culture associated with the use and release of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) tend to get a little attention compared to the natural science and
technology. This trend indicates, the debate in the adequacy of the use and release of GMOs
is a matter of scientific-technical. It is only open to scientists and experts whos working in
this field. Just a few literature that discusses socio-economic considerations GMOs.
GMO has been get a lot of interest among the people of the world. People began to think
about the safety and health of the products of this GMO. In essence, Genetically Modified
Organism (GMOs) offers the conveniences in agriculture to help increase agricultural
production. But, is there contributes Genetically Modified Organism in economic field?
As a society and a consumer, maybe we have a thousands of questions why does GMOs still
exist and can growth rapidly. There will be many reasons to answer this question. This paper
will discuss about the benefits of GMOs in the economy, how its role in developing the
economy, and the dangers of GMOs. Hopefully, this paper can be useful.

II.

CONTENT

1. Definition
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been
altered using genetic engineering techniques.
In Public Understanding of Biotechnology article, A genetically modified organism (GMO)
is an organism (plant, animal, bacteria or virus) whose genetic makeup has been modified for
a particular purpose.
2. The Processes of Genetic Engineering

There are some examples of transgenic plants and animals:

a. GloFish, the first genetically modified animal to be sold as a pet

b. Monsantos corn

c. Suntory "blue" rose

3. The Advantages of GMO

a. Effectiveness
GM (genetically modified) plants are already being cultivated as crops and
consumed by humans and animals. Using genetic engineering, new improved
varieties of crops can be produced more quickly than with conventional breeding
methods.
b. Increasing productivity
Crops can be modified to have valuable characteristics such as tolerance to drought
and herbicides, resistance to disease and insects, as well as improved nutritional
content.
c. Economic growth
GMO will reduce the cost of production by eliminating the use of some chemicals
like pesticide and also increase yields by 12-25 percent. If we have excess
agricultural products, we can export it.
4. The Disadvantages of GMO
a. High cost
In order to do this activities, requires special genetic engineering skills, need to
use many chemical materials like enzyme, and special laboratory.

b. The products will be expensive

To get profit, the price must be higher than the cost. As we know, to produce
products by genetic engineering is needed high cost. So, the price of the product
will be very expensive.
c. Income gap
In agricultural, transgenic seeds are usually sold at a standard price in a country
where the seeds are commercialized, where the same price applies to all farmers,
whether rich or poor. So, it will just increase income among rich farmers who will
contribute to investement and job creation in rural areas.

III.

CONCLUSION

Genetic engineering development has economic potential in :

1. Increasing economic growth of a country
2. Increasing effectiveness
3. Increasing productivity
But it also have disadvantages such as :
1. High cost
2. Expensive products, and
3. Result income gap in agricultural.

REFERENCES
Gertsberg, Deniza. 2013. What GMO Consensus?. March 5th, 2014 <www.gmo-journal.com>
Gertsberg, Deniza. 2013. Loss of Biodiversity and Genetically Modified Crops. March 5th,
2014 <www.gmo-journal.com>
Article: Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs). www.pub.ac.za. Accessed: March 3rd, 2014
Article: GMO Facts. http://www.nongmoproject.org. Accessed: March 5th, 2014.
Article: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA
Technology. http://www.nature.com. Accessed: March 3rd, 2014.
Article: Genetically Modified Organism. http://en.wikipedia.org. Accessed: March 5th, 2014.

NATURAL SCIENCE BASIC

PAPER The Advantages and Disadvantages of
Genetically Modified Organism in Economic

GROUP: GOLD
MEMBERS:
Diki Asrulson (1310542005)
Disa Roza Viandri (1310531009)
Dwi Muthia Antesa (1310511011)
Muhammad Fahrul (1310532022)
Tika Gusmawarni (1310531067)

ECONOMIC FACULTY
ANDALAS UNIVERSITY
PADANG