Gmo Persuasive Essay

Thirty years ago an average person could walk into any grocery store and purchase their desired food product without many fears. They could confidently purchase a stalk of corn or a bag of potato chips knowing that consuming them will not put their health at risk . They could happily purchase fresh fruits and vegetables knowing that they have been grown naturally in an environmentally friendly, chemical free and safe environment. Thirty years later, this is not the case. Today, consumers are kept in the dark and are part of an uncontrolled, unregulated mass human experiment known as genetic engineering . The result of this experiment are genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are a large group of organisms

containing plants, animals, and bacteria that are engineered for many reasons ranging from agricultural production to scientific research. Scientists use unnatural combinations of plants, animals, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional cross breeding methods. Genetic occurs when when the DNA from one species is crossed with the DNA from a completely different species. The purpose of genetically modified foods is to generate more money, control global food supply and depopulation and essentially “feed the world”.
Although, the production of GMO`d foods does provide many benefits, it is changing what we eat and the world we live in.

It is not only a threat to human health, but also our natural environment. In fact, most scientists agree that the main safety issues of genetically engineered crops involve not people but the environment. As a result, this report discusses the effect that GMOs have on land masses that contain living organisms and crops and how this is harmful to the earth and our future. Furthermore, I will base my research on statistics and facts discovered in the twenty first century, particularly focusing on North

America.
Genetically modified organisms are extremely dangerous and harmful agents which negatively affect various aspects of our environment. By threatening our biodiversity, being extremely toxic to both plants and animals and disturbing natural gene flow, GMOS our harming our Earth and the land masses it contains.

Biodiversity, which is essentially referred to the variety of life and forms on earth, is extremely essential for our survival.

Without it, no living being on this planet could survive. The use of genetic modified organisms is severely threatening biodiversity. When genetically modified crops interact with their environment they are disturbing the natural process through which species interact with one another and their ecosystems. Firstly, genetically modified crops get rid of wild plants and lead to the production of weed. Weeds are dangerous as they create competition for growing crops which disturb how plants naturally interact with their environment. Crops will have to compete for resources that are essential to their lives. This includes light, water and nutrients in soil. Furthemore, the production of weeds will repel insects necessary for the plants survival; once again threatening biodiversity. Furthermore Genetically modified crops have built in pest control and chemicals which risks the health of animals that consume the crop. This indirectly leads to a reduction of animals and insects that are dependent on one another. Chemicals that are designed to resist pests and herbicides not only affect the target insects but insect and animals that are not targeted. A common example would be bees. Bees are vital for food production and human development. Without them, the development of life on earth would have been much different. Foods that we consume on a daily

basis are dependent on bees for pollination. Some of these foods include broccoli, cucumbers, blueberries, watermelons, almonds, apples, cranberries, and cherries etc . The use of Gmos however is threatening the bee population . In Fact, it is estimated that since 2006, nearly a third of the honeybee population has been wiped due to chemicals used to produce Genetically modified foods . In addition to bees, the butterfly and bird population is also going into decline. Thus we can conclude that genetically modified foods are significantly threatening biodiversity.
In addition, genetically modified organisms are extremely toxic to plants, animals and the environment. The chemicals they contain have adverse effects on the environment. Chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides are depleting soils of essential nutrients which plants need for development. These beneficial minerals protect crops from threatening elements such as pests and viruses. Likewise, toxins released from GMOS also get rid of beneficial soil bacteria. These toxins are causing soil that crops are heavily dependent on to become dry and void of nutrients . GMOS are also passing on their toxicity to non-GMO plants. Likewise,the toxicity inherited by plants through GMOs also threatens animals that consume those plants. These toxins can severely harm the health of animals and insects by damaging their digestive tract. Furthermore, toxins released from GMOS significantly contribute to pollution in the environment. Water and air pollution caused by GMOS is bringing down the health of not only humans, but also animals, plant life, and the ecosystem as a whole (naturalsociety). In fact, a chemical known as glyphosate,which is commonly used by a company known as Monsanto, is contributing to water pollution by contaminating aquifers, wells, and springs. The toxic chemicals used in GMOS are also polluting the air and further disturbing the flow of elements. In particular, gmos disturb the flow of nitrogen and phosphorus in the air.
It is proven that change in gene flow between plants can be beneficial because they allow plants to become resistant to harmful insects. However, the cons of altered gene flow are greater than the pros. GMOS disturb natural gene flow which could lead to loss of traditional plant varieties and agricultural diversity. Genes that are passed on from GMOs to non-gmos threaten the genetic diversity of non gmo plants and destroy their purity. This is because genes from GMOS alter the natural genes of non- gmos . These altered genes are than passed on through generations threatening genetic diversity. Likewise, the spread of herbicide tolerance and resistance genes is also having negative ecological impacts. The passing of resistance genes has lead to the production of “superweeds” and “superbugs” which threaten surrounding plants, make diseases more common, and disturb the natural development of plants and animals. All in all GMOS are harmful for the environment as they disturb gene flow.
By threatening biodiversity, being extremely toxic and disturbing gene flow, genetically modified organisms are and will continue to damage our environment and the earth we live on. All the land masses that contained genetically modified organisms are suffering the consequences of genetic engineering. Animals and insects are physically and internally changing and even dying. GMOs are putting animals and insects that contribute to human development into decline. This is disturbing ecosystems and threatening our future. Plants are now chemically altered and no longer developing the natural way. Toxins released through GMOs are contributing to pollution as well as having unintended effects on biochemistry. Likewise, animals and plants no longer contain their natural genes. Due to Genetically modified organism our earth is no longer what it used to be. Our earth is slowly being altered and many of us have no idea. We are completely oblivious to the fact that our land masses are being destroyed and that are food is being chemically altered. We are not aware of how genetic engineering is slowly destroying ecosystems; many of which we depend on. Many of us do not realize that by harming the environment, genetic engineering is negatively impacting our lives today and will continue to impact the lives of future generations.