Humanity today is not yet able to assess the full extent and impact that will cause in the future, the modifications artificially induced on the genetic code of DNA.

It is today possible, using methods of genetic engineering to produce plants, animals or fish that have new characteristics and properties. These may concern increased resistance to diseases and parasites, faster growth, better appearance and even a better taste.

It is as well a matter of fact that genetically modified crops have a role to play in agriculture, cattle-raising, pisciculture, forest preservation and for the provision of food on a world wide basis.

Scientists and farmers have been selectively breeding plants since the late-19th century through a process called hybridization. Today, plants can be bred by changing their genetic makeup -- often with the insertion of just one gene.

It is evident that there is a real risk for the inadvertent generation of microorganisms which will be perilous for other species including humans. Scientists, the common public and governments alike are worried by the potential of genetic engineering.

Definitely there are positive aspects resulting from this scientific achievement. However special precautions are necessary prior to the liberation in the environment of genetically modified microorganisms.

The procedures for the development of new crops and organisms should be transparent, scientifically rigorous and subject to strict controls. The impact to the environment and to human health should be meticulously controlled before new genetically modified organisms are allowed to proliferate.

There are circumstances that can make the genetically modified organisms particularly dangerous and therefore necessitating more scrutiny prior to their development. Such cases are:

• When organisms can develop and proliferate alone without human intervention
   
• When there is a possibility of genetic material exchange between the genetically modified organism and the wild variant of the same organism
   
• When there are not enough experience and data about the interactions between the genetically modified organism and the environment
   
• When the modification confers to the organism a significant survival advantage in a specific environment

The potential environmental hazards that could be provoked by a modified organism, should be analyzed in depth in order to take measures to minimize their impact.

Such negative consequences to the environment include:

1. Induction of creation of even more powerful or resistant pathogens and nocuous organisms
    
2. Maximization of the negative impact of nocuous organisms that already exist through novel genetic recombination with the new genetically modified organisms which can be plants or animals
    
3. Provocation of undesirable effects on organisms or non nocuous insects, birds or other animals which were not in the targets for which the intervention was effectuated
    
4. Induction of disturbances in certain ecosystems
    
5. Changes and loss of natural variations and genetic diversity which exists in various forms of life

It is evident that assessing the dangers brought by the genetically modified organisms is a prerequisite to their further development. 

The imposition of security norms to the new products generated by genetic engineering may allow the selection of those corps, animals and fish that do not have negative impact on health and the environment. These can contribute to the world food problems and help the protection and preservation of the environment.

Genetically engineered foods are generally regarded as safe. There are no reports of illness or injury due to genetically engineered foods. Each new genetically engineered food will have to be judged individually

It is necessary to insist on the fact that the question is not whether genetically modified crops should or should not be grown, imported or eaten. Rather, it is what regulations need to be attached to these activities to protect the environment and consumers.

Bibliography:

1. Information Systems for Biotechnology
2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
3. United States Department of Agriculture