Genetically Modified Plants

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Recommended: Benefits or drawbacks of growing and consuming genetically engineered foods

Genetically Modified Plants Would most people eat a hamburger if they knew that the cow that provided the beef possessed genes from a sheep? How about bacon that came from a pig with sheep traits? More likely than not, they would refuse to consume such products, denouncing them as unsafe and irresponsible. Protests over these animals with mixed genetics would probably begin. This genetic tampering has been occurring in plants for years, but the majority of consumers do not think twice about purchasing products derived from these genetically engineered plants. While some may claim that the benefits of these genetically modified plants outweigh the negative effects, it becomes apparent that the crops cause more harm than good. Genetically engineered plants should not be produced because of the harm they cause to farmers, because of the harm they cause to the environment, and because of the harm they cause to people. Contrary to what the companies that produce these altered crops would like people to believe, genetically modified crops fail to help farmers. Rather, they affect farmers adversely when compared to natural crops. Organic farmers face especially high risks because these plants can and will breed with other nearby crops, whether they are genetically modified or not. If fact, one study “demonstrated that more than 50% of the wild strawberries growing within 50 meters of a strawberry field contained marker genes from the cultivated strawberries” (Hanson). Because these modified crops spread so frequently, it proves almost impossible to ensure that the organic crops are natural and are not the offspring of a modified plant. These crops also threaten conventional farmers. Many of these altered plants are resi... ... middle of paper ... ...omois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D, Séralini GE. A Comparison of Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health. Int J Biol Sci2009; 5:706-725 “The Establishment of Genetically Engineered Canola Populations in the US.” Space Daily 18 Oct. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 1 Nov. 2011 Hanson, Michael. “Jeopardizing the Future? Genetic Engineering, Food, and the Environment.” Pest Management at the Crossroads. 6 Feb. 1999. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. Ho, Mae-Wan, Li Ching. Lim, and Joe Cummins. The Case for a GM-free Sustainable World. London: Institute of Science in Society, 2003. Print. “More Bt Corn Plagued by Pest.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch [MO] 24 Sept. 2011: A10. Infortac Newsstand. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. “National: Environment; Europe Accused of Hypocrisy Over Opposition to GM Crops.” Observer [London, England] 23 Oct. 2011: 23.Infortrac Newsstand. Web. 31 Oct. 2011

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