Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe

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Genetically modified crops and food involve the deliberate altering of the genetic material of plants and animals that have caused concerns over the environmental and economic issues that this technology affects. A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there. Around 57 percent Americans believe that GMOs are unsafe to eat, meanwhile only around 37 percent think that they are safe. All around the world, people have been discussing the PROs and CONs of genetically modified organisms leaving a whole group of people wondering which side to believe. According to the online article, 10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs, …show more content…

Birth defects, cancer, infertility, lung damage, immune impairment, vitamin deficient, premature aging, damaged insulin regulation, higher rate of mortality, and liver, kidney, heart, and spleen dysfunction are just some of those affects. There have been many experiments specifically dedicated to see whether or not GMOs are “safe.” According to the online article, “The Ultimate Purpose of GMOs,” it states, “The French scientist Seralini showed that rats fed Monsanto’s GM maize developed severe liver and kidney damage, and developed malignant tumors, in just 4 months. Others have shown that GMOs are implicated in a staggering large number of ailments, including organ failure, autism, allergies, asthma, sterility, infant mortality, digestive disorders, bowel disease, Crohn’s, constipation, kidney disease, heart disease and more.” Not only that but, insect-resistant crops may harm species that are not their target, such as monarch butterflies. GMOs are responsible for killing off bees, bats, and butterflies, and other pollinators, whose bodies are unable to handle the onslaught of altered DNA and chemicals of GMO …show more content…

In fact, we have gone through thousands of years without needing the help of GMOs to feed all of our people so why should we need them now? It has been proven that people were much healthier back then than now so why shouldn’t we keep with our old methods? Genetically modified foods are targeted to end world hunger and vitamin deficiency, but that is simply not the answer. Many argue that GMOs are harmless and that there is no scientific evidence proving that genetically modified foods are associated with health issues. But, there actually have been many scientific experiments proving that genetically modified foods are, in fact, unsafe. According to the online article titled “The Debate About GMO Safety Is Over, Thanks To A New Trillion-Meal Study,” it states, “One-off studies of lab animals have occasionally shown some problems. Gilles-Eric Séralini, in his retracted GM corn study (later republished in a non-peer-reviewed anti-GMO journal), claimed rats fed genetically engineered corn developed grotesque cancerous tumors.” Even if there was no specific evidence concluding that genetically modified foods are not safe to eat, wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry by not eating

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