Overview: I decided to write an open letter to an agricultural company, Monsanto, that utilizes biotechnology to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for farmers. The Monsanto website claims they are helping farmers increase their profitability by expanding their crop yields. GMOs are a widely debated in environmental science; some say they aide the effort in ending world hunger, while others say that GMOs are unhealthy and filled with chemicals. Much of the GMO research is biased: the research gets its funds from biotech companies (like Monsanto) hoping to prove that GMOs are consumer safe and good for the planet. GMOs actually increases the chemical use on farms and are an essential topic to discuss because they effect humans and nature alike. Monsanto is a good company to write to because they are such a huge advocate for GMOs and promote the use of them. The company is actually one of the pioneers for altering plant genetics. Additionally, Monsanto has been found to reward farmers with funding for using a controversial weed killer. The purpose of this letter is to address Monsanto’s promotion and positive image of GMOs and other harmful biotechnologies, and try to persuade them to stop encouraging farmers and the general public to use or support the use of GMOs. …show more content…
This letter would ideally be published in a scientific journal, such as Science, Journal of Biology, or Nature, in order to reach an audience that cares about scientific matters and are willing to join the GMO debate. In order to reach a broader, less scientific audience, I may want to post this letter on a social media platform such as Tumblr, Facebook, or Twitter, where people are constantly posting and reading about news articles and more specifically, open
Monsanto is a multinational agricultural and agrochemical biotechnology corporation based in America and is the largest producer of genetically engineered seeds. Monsanto argues that using science and newfound research to create genetically modified food is necessary in order to save our world from starvation. Eduardo Blumwald, a professor of cell biology and employee for Monsanto, says that genetically modified food could be “the only viable solution we have for our future” (Ostrander 24) where it is predicted that the temperature and population will soar. Blumwald argues that without genetically engineering food to produce under high temperatures with little water, the world could potentially starve in this predicted future. Yet regardless of “biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit” (“GMO Facts”). Instead, Monsanto genetically modifies food to resist RoundUp, a pesticide the company has created to kill any plants or bugs other than the genetically engineered crop. According to the World Health Organization, this pesticide “is a probable human carcinogen” (“GMOs”) due to glyphosate, a
Did you know GMOs cause cancer? This is a relatively common and reoccurring statement that nowadays floods the media regarding GMOs. A statement which clearly represents the direction of people’s perception of GMOs today.
Our attitudes toward GMO foods range from hostility to indifference. GMO foods, like pesticide-resistant Roundup Ready soybeans and fast-growing salmon, seem to exist primarily to pad corporate pockets. Most people are not aware that they are eating GMO foods. The greater percentage of the population is just looking at the price tag instead of what is in the food product. This technology has the potential to provide sustainable nutrient rich food sources throughout the ages if the science is not abused for the food industry’s
military, and in recent years, seeds genetically engineered to contain and endure immense amounts of Monsanto herbicides and pesticides. Monsanto has been recognized as being synonymous with the corporatization and industrialization of global food supply. Their astonishing rise to dominate global food supply is fueled by its technology in order to achieve laudable aims such as providing adequate food production, responding to the adversity of global warming, and minimizing agriculture’s adverse effects on the environment. Yet, Monsanto’s expansion has been accountable for controversial cases, such as not allowing private research on their products and influencing policy makers. As Monsanto expands, some of its business practices are considered unethical and are paving a path full of consequences for the environment and
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.
There are two sides to every coin, and the topic of GMO foods is a prime example of this. An assessment of GMOs analyzes and weighs the risks and benefits on health. Anti-GMO advocates point out the undeniable truth that genetic modification of plants and animals can cause bacterial resistance to develop. They also claim that GMOs increase allergy and cancer rates but this information is mostly unfounded as of today. Of course, GMOs have only been around for about two decades and extensive long-term studies are still required. On the other hand, pro-GMO people have pointed out that resistant and durable GM crops produce higher yields and create abundance. With a higher food supply, there is more accessibility and therefore, more nutrition to go around. Finally, some GMO foods are even being modified with the intention of treating worldwide health problems through people’s diets. The benefits are huge and the risks are minimal. As it stands, GMO food has the potential to feed and nourish the world more efficiently with the only notable price being stronger
Have you ever asked yourself what is Genetic modified organism(GMO)? Will in this paper I am going to tell you about GMO. Gmo is any foods or animals that have been modified genetically. There is too much Gmo in our food. We could cut down on how much foods have GM. We could also make more job for farming. We Should make more food with no GMO so we can all be healthy.
Genetically modified food’s, or GMOs, goal is to feed the world's malnourished and undernourished population. Exploring the positive side to GMOs paints a wondrous picture for our planet’s future, although careful steps must be taken to ensure that destruction of our ecosystems do not occur. When GMOs were first introduced into the consumer market they claimed that they would help eliminate the world’s food crisis by providing plants that produced more and were resistant to elemental impacts like droughts and bacterial contaminants, however, production isn’t the only cause for the world’s food crisis. Which is a cause for concern because the population on the earth is growing and our land and ways of agriculture will not be enough to feed everyone sufficiently. No simple solutions can be found or applied when there are so many lives involved. Those who are hungry and those who are over fed, alike, have to consider the consequences of Genetically Modified Organisms. Food should not be treated like a commodity it is a human necessity on the most basic of levels. When egos, hidden agendas, and personal gains are folded into people's food sources no one wins. As in many things of life, there is no true right way or wrong way to handle either of the arguments and so many factors are involved that a ‘simple’ solution is simply not an option.
The article that I chose is called Another Case Against GMO Foods by Timothy J. LaSalle. It was published on 2/25/14 and it is from the website http://www.foodmatters.tv/. In this article, LaSalle explains the reasons why GMO foods have been insufficient in benefiting farmers and the general public. GMO stands for “genetically modified organisms”. America started using GMOs in the early 1990s. He tells us that GMO seeds were created to make the cost of growing crops less to farmers which could lead to more crops and lower prices. It does this by making crops resistant to pathogens. It also adds herbicides which make the plants weed resistant. That way farmers don’t have to buy fertilizers. He also talks about the effects of GMOs on people’s health. There is no proven long-term effects of GMO foods. There is only speculation. GMOs are being used more and more by farmers. He believes that it is a possible cause of allergies, asthma, autism, and ADD in children and adults. He states that health concerns have increased since we started using GMOs in our food. In the last part of the article he talks about finding a way to make safer foods which would be using all organic foods. Countries in Europe, Asia and Africa have banned GMO foods. He thinks we should do the same. He also thinks we should not be able to use GMO foods until the FDA has proven they don’t cause long-term health risks.
GMOs better known as Genetically Modified Organisms or GE (Genetically Engineered) are the product of a process of which allows scientists alter genes of a variety of foreign species such as plants, bacteria or even animals. This can cause unpredictable changes and can be harmful when consumed. GMO puts people as well as the environment at risk, such as destroying the natural food web to causing potential disease and allergies from mixing genes. Disease is one of the main concerns regarding GM foods because of the use of viruses and bacteria that are used. There is a risk of disease developing when consumed by humans. Another main concern is keeping the area with these GM plants contained. Spreading causes contamination in wildlife and land
Genetically modified foods are developed by combining genes from two different organisms which alters it's DNA and do not occur naturally. Biotechnology is relatively new so like most people, I turned to research to argue this issue with facts. In my opinion, genetically modifying foods have more harmful effects than they do beneficial. I am against their use because it creates safety risks for our health and animals, it can damage the environment and we have to deal with the total costs.
The growing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have left many Americans and people all around the world with various questions and concerns as to what they are really putting into their bodies. The issue at hand is one that, although is very dominant in the world today, many are still uneducated on the problem and have not been informed with the facts. GMOs have been placed in the world without much question or second thought and it is time that America hear what should have been told many years ago. Although over ninety percent of the food eaten everyday has been genetically modified in the United States, many today believe the food they eat everyday is perfectly healthy, safe, and beneficiary for them. On the contrary, however, others will argue that the food has become poisoned, unsanitary, and detrimental to the health of themselves and others due to the ongoing issue of genetically engineered foods. As food production grows, and more suspicions rise to the surface, many people are left with the begging question, “Are GMOs really bad for us?” Everyone one is entitled to his or her own opinion and there are many out there who would like to believe one side or another. Regardless of who believes what, after the research is conducted, in hopes of accumulating a better understanding of the issue, it will be known what genetically modified organisms really are, where genetically mutated crops originate from and whether genetically modifying crops are harming or benefiting the world.
A World of Species When it comes to the topic of genetic modification, there is a debate as to whether or not it should be allowed. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on whether or not science should be able to improve human life. While some are convinced that genetic modification can help cure diseases, others maintain that it shouldn’t be used to enhance a child’s abilities. My own view, however, is that genetic modification shouldn’t be used to stare off diseases, or be used to alter a child’s physical or mental capabilities. David Koespell, a professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, states, “Humans have been involved in the natural order of themselves, and genetic engineering is another way to improve human life” (Koespell).
Upon reviewing the history of Monsanto, one can see the transition of the corporate’s products from the artificial sweetener saccharine to one the most known herbicide, Roundup. Along the way, the company was involved in the production of other chemicals that destroyed the organization’s reputation and threatened in existence (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2013, pp.382-395). Eventually, in order to survive turbulent times, the company made a strategic move to develop a seed that was resistant to its own product. Interestingly enough, the genetically modified seed contains Roundup. With this in mind, Monsanto continues to utilize substantial resources to convince its stakeholders that GMO(s) are safe and its organizational practices are ethical. In efforts to deal with the lists of complaints that plagued Monsanto such as:
The term GM foods or GMO (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques (Whitman, 2000). These plants have been modified in the laboratory to offer desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Also, genetic engineering techniques have been applied to create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and accurately. For example, this is done by the geneticist isolating the gene responsible for drought tolerance and inserts it into another plant. The new genetically-modified plant will now have gained drought tolerance as well.