GMOs - Progressive or Perilous?

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Recommended: What are the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

In 2012, the global are of genetically modified crops continued to increase for the 17th year in a row at a rate of 6% (25 million acres). The area of genetically modified crops, or biotech crops, has increased almost 100-fold since commercialization in 1996, making biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in the history of modern agriculture (“ISAAA”). The biotech boom has changed the way that producers grow their crops, for better or for worse. The explosion of genetically modified crops and foods has stirred a debate whether they are a harmful liability to the environment and to society or they are a beneficial, new technology that can help provide food to the rapidly increasing world population.
In order to understand the debate, it is important to understand genetically modified organisms, or GMOs for short. According to the Non-GMO Project, GMOs are plants that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. In other words, these plants “have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content” (Whitman). The best-known example of this is the introduction of B.t. genes in corn and other crops. “B.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae.” The active protein genes of B.t. are transferred into corn, allowing the corn to produce its own pesticides (Whitman). Due to advancements like this, experts in the United States have acclaimed genetically modified foods as the “food of the future” and as a tool to substantially reduce hunger in poorer countries (Laros and Steenkamp 1).
The world population is expe...

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...hey are contingent on other states passing similar bills. Hopefully this progress will spread across the country on a national level. With these regulations, GMOs will be able to reach their potential while also protecting and informing the American populace.
GMOs have attracted a lot of attention recently due to increasing concerns over the safety and efficacy of genetic engineering in foods. Biotech foods have the potential to resolve malnutrition and world hunger, along with protecting the environment and increasing crop yields. However, many people are concerned over the long-term environmental and health effects of GMOs. Ultimately, the potential benefits of GMOs greatly outweigh the costs. Proceeding with caution to avoid unintended harm to the environment and to human health will enable genetically modified foods to truly become the “food of the future.”

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