Ecology Critique Paper

Name 1
Ecology Critique Paper
Name
University

Name 2
Ecology Critique Paper
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential nutritional
products that are available in fish and aquatic algae. They are critical for healthy growth and
physiologic activities in most aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates. In humans, the two omega-3
bioactive fatty acids have been associated with improved functionality of the neurologic and
cardiovascular systems. Genetically engineering terrestrial oilseed producers to produce these
fatty acids is likely to have an ecological impact on terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates hence
altering the environmental dynamics in the terrestrial environment (Colombo et al., 2018). Such
production will also increase its availability to humans for consumption considering their high
nutritional value. It is, therefore, ideal to be aware of the potential impact of this innovative
production on terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates.
In the field of ecology, genetic engineering to enable these fatty acids to be available in
oilseeds not only increases their availability but leads to the realization of physiologic effects that
the consumption of these nutrients has on the terrestrial invertebrates and vertebrates. The
aquatic ecosystems have been well understood concerning EPA and DHA as they are produced
by algae and consumed primarily by the zooplankton. Using oilseeds as the primary producers of
the omega-3 fatty acids is a virtual imitation of what occurs in the aquatic environment. Plants
are the producers; therefore, having the oil plants producing the two fatty acids will implore their
flow through the primary consumers to the higher order consumers including human and
common predators. Since humans are omnivores, they can also acquire the nutritional products
directly from the oilseeds.