An Argument for GMO's in Foods

1200 Words3 Pages

One of my favorite episodes of the television show, "The Simpsons", begins with Marge, the mother, serving her family a dinner of unusually large, genetically modified foods. Shortly after dinner is served, one of the potatoes eats a carrot. Although this example is comedic hyperbole, it is still an excellent illustration of the public perception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as dangerous "Frankenfoods". This perception is out of touch with the reality of GMOs and runs contrary to a large body of scientific evidence that indicates that GMOs are safe for people and our environment. In this paper I will be focusing my attention on foods modified to produce a certain insecticidal protein known as Bt. I have to do this mostly for brevity. To discuss in detail all of the types GMOs in production or slated for production could easily fill a paper ten times as long as this. Also, Bt crops are already in wide production, with over three million acres planted worldwide, and are already sold in many processed foods (Altieri, 2000). This makes the task of dispelling myths about them all the more prudent. The alleged dangers of Bt crops can be roughly divided into two groups: the risks that growing them pose to the environment, and the risks that eating them pose to people. Environmental concern about Bt crops primarily focuses on the risks of plant-to-plant gene flow and the risks to species not intended to be targeted by the toxin. Plant-to-plant gene flow involves the undesirable movement of Bt genes from GMOs to either non-GMO crops or closely related wild relatives of GMO crops. According to a 2001 report by the Environmental Protection Agency, "Bt Plant-Pesticides Risk and Benefit ... ... middle of paper ... ...way of life. References 1. International Workshop on the Ecological Impacts of Transgenic Crops. Altieri, Miguel A. 2000. University of California, Berkley. 2. Field Deposition of Bt Transgenic Corn Pollen: Lethal Effects on the Monarch Butterfly. Hansen, Jesse and Obrycki, John J. October 2002. Oecologia. v125 n2 pp. 241-248 3. Report: Bt Plant-Pesticides Risk and Benefit Assessments. FIFRA Scientific Adisory Panel. March 12, 2001. Food and Drug Administration. 4. Unpalatable truths. MacKenzie, Deborah. April 1999. New Scientist. p18

Show More
Related

  • The Pros And Cons Of GMO

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetically modified? That alone should be a cause for alarm, and have you wondering, what exactly is in this that I am eating? Yet every day millions of American’s choose to load up on food filled with GMO’s, and not even know it. First we must understand what GMO’s are. GMO’s are any organism whose genetics has been altered using genetic engineering. We should not be tampering with nature, and should try to grow organically as much as possible. There has not been enough research on GMO’s to know the potential long term effects it can have on us, so this is why GMO’s should be banned.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Angiosperm

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the video, “Genetically Modified Crops: Hope vs. Hype”, reveals that a Cornell study followed-up by Iowa state researchers show that “pollen from GMO corn is killing the larvae of the Monarch butterflies, which is not at all what the corn 's designers intended” (“Genetically Modified Crops: Hope vs. Hype”). GMO seeds are contaminating our environment, which were presumed safe before. Genetically-modified organisms are the unorthodox procedure of moving genes from one species to a completely different and unrelated species. These unnatural transferring of genetics are causing death among insects. Undeniably, nature 's long-lived ways are safer compared to the bio-tech 's short-lived ways. They hold many uncertainties. Such as, Niagara

    Read More

  • GMO Labeling Essay

    1763 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the most prominent crops in the GMO industry is Bt corn. The Bt pesticide stands for Bacillus Thuringiensis. Scientists transferred the Bt gene into the corn to create a crop that produces its own pesticides. As the corn matures, it grows stronger poi...

    Read More

  • Taking a Look at Genetically Modified Organisms

    1564 Words  | 4 Pages

    If you read the paper or watch the news, you’re undoubtedly aware of the debate raging over genetically modified food. Is it bad or is it good? Between the feuding sides, you might find yourself a little lost and wondering which side is right. Answers to seemingly simple questions have been blurred or exaggerated by both sides. On one side genetically modified food is more sustainable, safe, cheaper, easier to grow and has the potential of creating disease-fighting foods. Although this is positive and good intentioned, there may be unintended consequences that we have been quick to overlook. Those opposing genetically modified food clam that it is dangerous, harms the environment, increases health risks, and causes infertility and weight gain. Even things like the declining bee population may have closer ties to modified food than previously thought. We must look to science for answers. By studying genetically modified organisms (GMOs) we can guide our decision about whether we want to be consuming them.

    Read More

  • The Benefits and Risks to Genetically Modified Corn

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many debates are still being held by environmental agencies, food and drug control institutions and other scientific research organizations and specialists on the viability of using genetically modified foods in general. The general opinion is that the safety standards should be considered before a genetic modification is made. This is by comparing the risks of such a modification to the opportunity cost of maintaining the unmodified version. Several measures should be taken to ensure that certain effects of genetically modified foods are under control, for instance the creation of super weeds through cross pollination between Bt corn and crop weeds can be averted by using control regions where farmers plant unmodified corn in fields next to the Bt corn or planting of sterile male Bt corn to prevent the spread of pollen to crop weeds.

    Read More

  • The Genetically Modified Foods Controversy

    1350 Words  | 3 Pages

    The past twenty years have seen rise to a new burgeoning scientific field: genetically modified foods. During the plant breeding process, geneticists interfere with the reproduction and modify the genes of the new seedling by introducing a fragment of DNA from another organism that possesses the desired trait. With genetic modification, scientists can increase the pest, herbicide, cold, and drought tolerance so that the crop can survive in harsher climates. In some cases, the nutritional value can even be increased (Ulrich 9). Despite the obvious benefits of more nutritious foods and crops that are hardier and more resistant to harsher climates, there are some concerns surrounding GM foods. Each new alteration can cause an unforeseen allergic reaction, negate the effects of antibiotics, or potentially cause some adverse effects to the environment (Falkner 101). Every newly developed GM food must be tested on a case by case basis as there is no universal method that determines the safety of all modified components. As a result, long term effects of ingesting food with altered material are unknown.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Foods Argumentative Essay

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    In an article titled “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” by Robin Mather, he has said that the use of glyphosate, a herbicide, can “significantly increase the severity of various plant diseases” which is very hazardous to the environment. In the same article “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” Robin Mather has stated that genetic transfers cannot occur in nature and are not so precise and predictable as people say they are. In another article called “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering” from Issues & Controversies, it has been shown that genetic modification can affect many plants. For instance, the article stated that In Oregon, there was genetically modified grass that had affected plants nearby which began to ruin all of the crops near the genetically modified

    Read More

  • How Does Monsanto Use Gm Corn

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bt is added to GM corn. Bt is an insect repellent harmless to humans. Bt works when a pest bites into the corn. In a short period of time the protein toxins of Bt destroy the pests’ stomach. Along with Bt there are many other genetic modifications done to corn. Some scientists think that GM corn may have introduced new allergens. Also, genes that were given to GM corn may have contaminated surrounding fields due to pollination. To stop the spread of genes, scientists used terminator technology. What this did is it made the pollen sterile, so it could not

    Read More

  • GMO Argumentative Essay

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term ‘genetic engineering’ covers several methods of manipulating genetic material, otherwise known as genetic manipulation; recombinant DNA technology and gene therapy in humans (Atkinson, 1998). This technique is not only used for genetic transfer between plants but, genes from non-plant organisms can be used as well. A known example of this is the transfer of the B.t gene found in corn and other crops. The B.t gene, or otherwise known as ‘Bacillus thurngiensis (Bt)’; is a naturally occurring bacterium that creates proteins with crystals that are fatal to insect larvae (Whitman, 2000). These B.t genes have been transferred into the corn, allowing the corn to effectively produce its own pesticides against insects.

    Read More

  • Essay On Gmo Food Pros And Cons

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    GMOs have their pros and cons, but in terms of their effects on biodiversity, the technology is almost solely negative in how it affects the environment. Genetically modified food can damage agriculture as it allows for less restraint on chemical usage which leads to stronger weeds and weaker soil. The crops can easily spread their genetically modified genome through the wind. GMOs damage living organisms by making nasty insects stronger and vital insects weaker. GM foods are correlated with the decline in mammal and bird health and the introduction of GM animals like salmon poses a threat to the ecosystem of wild fish. GMOs can also bear consequences in terms of genetic pollution and alteration through contamination and mutation to adaptation to evolution to species extinction. Indeed, some claims are not well supported and may require testing, like genetic alteration through consumption or the validity of correlating animal health deficits with GM feeds. However, overall, GM foods clearly affect the world negatively in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem impacts.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Organisms are Safe

    1945 Words  | 4 Pages

    This has created a large amount of debate on local, national, and international levels about the safety of genetically modified foods to human health. There are many angles that have been taken from different groups on this issue. Some believe it is harmful to our health, with one source stating that, “mice eating GMO corn had fewer and smaller babies (Jagelio 2013).” Without testing on humans how are we to know these harmful effects aren’t impacting our health and reproduction. Other groups see GMOs as being both beneficial and having no impact on human health.

    Read More

  • Gmo Persuasive Speech

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    How many of you hear the words “genetically modified food” and immediately think “BAD”? How many of you scorn the idea that genetically modified foods are useful? How many of you have been manipulated by the media to think that all biotechnology is evil? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been genetically spliced to achieve a certain trait. As the demand for a larger food supply is increasing due to population growth, the benefits that GMO foods provide are being hailed as the only solution to the food crisis. However, many people are making inadequately informed decisions, and are pushing them to the back shelf. I will inform you on why genetically modified organisms may be the only way to a stable, safe future for the less fortunate.

    Read More

  • The Benefits and Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    This report explains genetically modified food (GMOs) and discusses the benefits and risks associated with the consumptions of GMOs. Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are foods that have been genetically altered using engineering techniques. The most common technique used today is called recombinant DNA technology; this technology combines different molecules from different plant species to create a plant with a new set of genes, a hybrid plant. Another recombinant DNA technology being used is recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) an artificial growth hormone; this hormone is being fed or injected into cows to improve milk production. (ThefreeDictionary)

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Food are Pandora´s Box to Humans and the Environment

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Genetically modified foods are a "Pandora's box" of known and unknown risks to humans and the environment. They have been forced onto the American public by multinational biotech and agribusiness corporations without adequate oversight and regulation by the United States government (Driscoll, SallyMorley, David C).”Genetically Modified Food is food which has been chemically altered by scientists during the production process to give the food more nutrients, better appearance, and a longer shelf-life (Rich, Alex K.Warhol, Tom). The importance of this issue is that these GMO’s can actually have a negative effect in our society in general. It could mutate in a negative way and cause cancer or other diseases. Genetically modified food should be strictly controlled due to its various detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and potentially insect/animal effects.

    Read More

  • BT corn

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bt corn, which is a genetically modified strain of corn which kills insects who ingest it, is a highly controversial crop. Certain studies that have taken place in prestigious colleges, such as Cornell, have shown it to kill monarch butterflies and damage the ecosystem. Other researchers believe it is highly beneficial in increasing crop yield and also claim it is more effective than pesticides in reducing Corn Borers. There exist many benefits and drawbacks to the use of Bt corn.

    Read More

More about An Argument for GMO's in Foods

Open Document