Genetically modified foods most commonly refers to the plants, which has been modified in the laboratory to enhance improved nutritional content and aimed traits created for human beings and animals. With progress in various types of technology, especially in genetic engineering, farmers and scientists have changed the way in which food is grown and made, raising questions about the methods, their risks and possible effects. It is not a secret that GMF-ed foods have spread out rapidly to the whole world. GMFs have raised concerns over their own beneficial in that they are resistant to diseases, produces greater yields, and it improves the nutrition of foods making the people unaware about their effects. Every time we go to any grocery stores or supermarkets, we would not know whether the vegetables, fruits or even meats being sold are genetically modified. To make this situation worse, most consumers do not pay much attention to what they are eating, when they are actually consuming modified foods.
It's not difficult to think back to a time when food was simpler and healthier. How did we get to the point where genetically modified organisms fall in so much of what we eat? While genetic domination in foods can be traced throughout history, the modern wonder of GMOs showed up in just the last few years. “The 1980’s marks the discovery that specific pieces of DNA that could be transferred from one organism to another. This became the basis of the genetic modification process” (Mith). In 1983, the first transgenic plant, a tobacco plant resistant to antibiotics was created. Five years later, the leading biotech company, introduced soybeans. “Later in 2008 further genetic modification was enhanced, when scientist discovered that t...
... middle of paper ...
... can’t be stopped, but I believe that there are other ways to save people from hunger and increase the crop production. Personally, I am sure that there can be nothing better and healthier than organic food and I totally disapprove any form of genetic engineering Thus, let’s leave in harmony with nature, eat its wholesome fruits and be incredibly sound.
Bibliography
“Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.” ERS/USDA Data. Web. 12 May 2012. .
Nacci, Giuseppe. “Genetically Modified Food Can Cause Disease.” Genetically Modified Food. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. 24-30. Print.
Mith, Jeffrey M. Genetically Modified Food Is Not Safe. Genetically Modified Food. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. Print.
Boyers, Lindsay. "Genetically Modified Foods." SF chronicle [San Francisco] 03 03 2013, Demand Media n. pag. Print.
Experts say, “Unless you consume only certified organic foods […] you’ve almost certainly eaten foods containing ingredients whose genes have been tweaked […].” (Anonymous, 2013, p.4). This assertion proves that people is eating food with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), nevertheless they disown the consequences of its intake. The opinions in the scientific society are divided, however recent experiments let predict the possible effects that GM Food production and consumption generates in a global scale. Genetically Modified Foods should be banned because it generates a negative impact on humans’ health, affects the environment and harms the third world nations.
Genetically modified organisms are “an organism whose genome has been altered in order to favour the expression of desired physiological traits or the output of desired biological products.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/concise/genetically%20modified%20organism%20(gmo). The United States were first approved for human consumption of genetically modified foods in 1995. The techniques used for producing the genetically developed organisms include cloning recombinant DNA technology. Primary uses of genetically modified organisms are mostly in areas of agriculture and biomedical research. GMOs compromise numerous aids to society, including enlarged crop yields and the development of fresh therapeutic agents which prevent and treat a wide variety of human diseases . However there are some concerns around the use of genetically modified organisms which include the risks stood to human health and the initiation of insecticide resistant superbugs. This essay will provide evidence to support the evidence that the genetic modifications of crops produces better results than selective breeding or mutation.
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis. Just as the market for GM foods has increased, the level of opposition has increased as well, even up to the point of terrorist action against producers, growers, and sellers of genetically modified foods. So the question is posed, will GM foods be the future or the failure of our agricultural system?
Wald, Micahael. "GMO-genetically modified organisms dangerous or necessary?" Original Internist Sept. 2013: 129+. General OneFile. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
Deal, Walter F., and Stephen L. Baird. “Genetically Modified Foods: A Growing Need.” Technology Teacher 62.7 (2003): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
Whitman, Debrah “Genetically Modified Foods.” Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? Web. 19 January 2014.
In the years between 1997 and 2010 the area of land cultivated with GMOs had a huge increase, we have moved 4.2 million to 365 million hectares. In fact, 10% of the planet’s arable land is used for genetically modified crops. Most of these crops are located in North America, but it should be registered, in recent years, a rapid increase in acreage in so-called developing countries. In the USA in the years 2009/2010, the vast majority of soy (93%), cotton (93%), corn (86&) and sugar beet (95%) have been grown with genetically modified varieties. Data for 2012 published by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) show that in Europe there has been a 13% increase of cultivated area (globally, the increase was 6%).
Kartha, Deepa. "Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons.html
The history and the different ways of genetically modifying the GM foods started very recently, extending to only the past 50 years. The genetics all began when a monk discovered that all creatures are made up of genes. GM started with two different ways of genetically modifying organisms. Cisgenesis, the process of scientists taking genes from an animal or plant and altering the genes of an organism in the same species, was the first way. Transgenesis, the process of taking the genes of one animal or plant and putting those genes into an organism of a different species, was the second way. When scientists want to put those genes into an animal or plant, they have to use special gear. The scientists usually use either a syringe, a special gun, or even a virus with the gene encrypted into the code of the virus to implant the new modification (“Genetically Modified” n.p.). When researchers first used the technology to genetically modify food, the goal was to combat world hunger. Scientists first modified the tomato to be able to make the skin thicker so that it would have a longer storage life. Scientists soon discovered there was already an organic tomato in existence that possessed the same qualities, so the...
“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.
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.
Food has been one of the basic needs from birth it is the fuel of human energy. And living in a world that is constantly changing, advancing and the population is growing there is a need for food supply to increase. Back in the olden days, production of food consist of harvesting, hunting, and farming, and usually it would take a long time before the food was ready to be placed at the dinner table. Today, technology has allowed the mass production of food making agriculture advancements thanks to molecular genes. Genetically Modified Organism also known as GMOs are living organisms such as plants or animals whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering to produce a desired characteristic or trait. No matter what good
With the way technology has grown, especially in the field of genetic engineering, has led scientists to figure out a way to alter how food is made. This raises concerns and lot of questions regarding the methods they are using. From what possible side effects can occur to the risks it poses to everyone and everything. Unfortunately, there has been limited research and testing done. With that in mind there is not enough information available about the hazards of genetically modified foods. But, what we do know is alarming. Most of the debate surrounding GM foods are focus on the following three issues: 1. Human and environmental safety, 2. Labeling , and 3. Consumer choice. In this section of the paper I will be discussing how genetically modified food can be dangerous on the health of humans.
In this society, individuals are more focused on worldly affairs rather than what they are eating. According to a survey done by Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey in 2013, 53% of individuals did not know about genetically modified foods. These individuals consume genetically modified foods without knowing the risks. This issue is very important to society because individuals need to be aware of what they consume. But, what are the negative impacts of genetically modified foods? Genetically modified foods are foods that contain an altered form of DNA that is not natural. Genetically modified foods affect human health, the environment and has lead to the issue of labelling genetically modified foods to differentiate between them. In
"20 Quotes About GMO Foods." 20 Quotes About GMO Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.