Negative implications of GMO and Gene Therapy

1. Genetic Contamination/Interbreeding- GMOs may interbreed with the wild-type or

sexually compatible relatives
2. Competition with Natural Species- Faster growth of GMOs can enable them to
have a competitive advantage over the native organisms.
3. Increased Selection Pressure on Target and Nontarget Organisms- to adapt to
the introduced changes as if to a geological change or a natural selection pressure
causing them to evolve distinct resistant populations
4. Ecosystem Impacts- risk of ecosystem damage and destruction
5. Impossibility of Followup- impossible to eliminate
6. Horizontal Transfer of Recombinant Genes to Other Microorganisms- foreign
genes in response to changing environments and provides organisms, especially
prokaryotes, with access to genes other than those that can be inherited
7. Adverse Effects on the Health of People or the Environment- includee enhanced
pathogenicity, emergence of a new disease, pest or weed, increased disease
burden if the recipient organism is a pathogenic microorganism or virus, increased
weed or pest burden if the recipient organism is a plant or invertebrate, and adverse
effects on species, communities, or ecosystems
8. Unpredictable and Unintended Effects- may transfer the introduced genes from a
GMO to potential pests or pathogens and many yet to be identified organisms
9. Loss of Management Control Measures- may give rise to adverse effects which
are not controlled by management measures imposed by the original license or
permit
10. Long-Term Effects
11. Ethical Concerns