Biotechnology Pros And Cons

Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been crossed with the DNA of another organism. These organisms undergo the process of genetic engineering where the desired genes are artificially injected into the organism. Genetic engineering or Biotechnology can be used to add beneficial traits to other organisms. These transgenic organisms are mainly used as a food supply, although they have other applications. They have been used as a food supply regularly since the mid-90s. 80% of all foods in the United States contain genetically modified ingredients (Facts on GMOS). The most commonly consumed genetically modified foods are anything that consists of soybean, corn, canola oil, or milk (Key, Ma, and Drake). In the United

This means that crops can be genetically engineered to produce higher yields in the same amount of land than conventionally grown crops. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows that an additional 16 million tons of corn and soybeans were produced due to biotechnology. It is estimated that a surplus of 16 million tons of corn can feed up to 48 million people (Corum 62). The numbers prove that biotech crops are generating higher yields allowing for more people to eat without additional

Critics, however, still argue that transgenic crops are unnatural and unhealthy. They fail to realize that food has been cross breed for desired traits since the beginning of civilization. Humans have been using conventional breeding methods to produce desired traits for thousands of years. Genetic engineering uses the same concepts that have been used and accepted for thousands of years, but refines the process into a more precise and faster process (Key, Ma, and Drake). The process is just as healthy as conventional breeding methods and has been approved by a multitude of government and regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy of Sciences (Facts on GMOs). They also have the potential to end world hunger and malnourishment through the possibility of added nutrients to biotech crops (Key, Ma, and Drake). Biotechnology has an endless amount of possible benefits and the potential to develop as long as it is accepted into society for what it is; the