Genetic Engineering: The Application of GMOs in Agriculture and in Food Production

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Since the beginning of genetic engineering, the technology has been thought of as unpredictable and harmful to human health. Nearly every person that hears the terms genetically modified immediately thinks that there is a risk involved, and this “myth” has been around since the introduction of genetically engineered foods in 1996. “According to this myth, members of the public are concerned because they think that genetic modification is ‘unnatural’. They do not realize that humans, through breeding, have been manipulating the genetic make-up of crops and farm animals for 10,000 years.” (Marris 1). Genetic modification is the selection of a desired trait by either manually adding the select gene to the crop, or breeding crops with those traits, eliminating those crops without that desired gene. The reason why breeding methods of genetic modification has faded is because “…plant breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy.” (Whitman 1). With this technology, scientists are able to create crops that yield more produce, hold vaccinations, and even improved nutritional content. Therefore, there is nothing unnatural about genetic modification, and it opens up unlimited possibilities for crops, even adding genes from fishes to crops to increase their tolerance to cold. Also, there is no proven risk with the consumption of genetically engineered foods considering “The U.S Food and Drug Administration has established the safety and integrity of GMOs.” (Johnson 1). So, if there are no proven health risks with GMOs, then why does the general public have such a false sense of genetic... ... middle of paper ... ...enefits of Genetically Modified Crops for the Poor: Household Income, Nutrition, and Health. Elsevier B.V, Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. Stellner, Alison. "Benefits of GMO Foods." Benefits of GMO Foods. Livestrong Foundation, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Strauss, Steven H., Peter Coventry, Malcom M. Campbell, Simom N. Pryor, and Jeff Burley. "Certification of Genetically Modified Forest Plantations." JSTOR. Commonwealth Forestry Association, 2001. Web. 01 May 2014. Walsh, Bryan. "Banning GMO Labels Is Bad for GMOs." Time. Time, 09 Apr. 2014. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. Wasserman, Robin. "Benefits You Get From a GMO." Benefits You Get From a GMO. Livestrong Foundation, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Whitman, Deborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? ProQuest, Apr. 2000. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

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