The effects of genetic engineering on evolution

Evolution is the gradual change of species, and is based on the process of natural selection.The theory of evolution states that there is variations within a population, there are selection pressures which cause struggle for survival, organisms with best suited phenotypes will produce more offspring and so each new generation will contain proportionally more of the favourable phenotypes.

In order to have any evolution of a species whatsoever, there must be some sort of mutation and variation. Although in GM (genetically modified) foods the gene pool is limited and mutation is eradicated. therefore variation is lost causing an organism to be at risk of extinction if it is exposed to disease or change in environment conditions (selective forces).
The genetically engineered organism is no longer fit (able to survive and reproduce) as the normal wild type as they do not have the traits which enable it to resist some natural selection pressures

Another issue with Genetic engineering is that it has effects on organisms surrounding the GMO. In the case of a plant with a pesticide gene, most insects will die from the GM plant although some insects may survive. these insects will then reproduce and their offspring will also have the trait which enables it to be unaffected by the pesticide. And we begin to see a change in allele frequency or a genetic drift similar to a bottleneck effect (see image below). genetic engineering also cause pathogens, pests and weeds to become super resistant which makes it difficult control. This is all an interference to evolution.



Bibliography:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1911
Human intervention in evolution PowerPoint








similar to a bottleneck effect (genetic drift)