Are genetically modified foods a step in the right direction? Many people automatically retort with a resounding “No!” when asked this question, believing that these newfangled foods are unnatural and therefore, unsafe. They cringe at the thought of the so-called “frankenfoods” that are packed with chemicals and mutated DNA. However, genetically engineered foods are quite the opposite. Bio-engineering is used to make foods more nutritious by combining the best aspects of each individual plant. These crops are also remarkably safe because many plants are modified to be naturally pest repellant, making pesticides and harsh chemicals a thing of the past. In addition, genetically engineered foods create a solution to the problem of feeding a growing population while also boosting the economy and creating a multitude of new jobs. So, what exactly are genetically modified foods? According to a 2002 Michigan State University Food Laws and Regulations course, they can be defined as, “Plants, animals, and microorganisms which have had DNA introduced into them by means other than by combination of an egg and a sperm or by natural bacterial conjugation.” (The regulation of genetic modifications, 2002). Essentially, scientists speed up the selective breeding process by shifting genes from one plant into another. Genes with an immense array of desirable attributes are accurately transferred to make an organism healthier, resistant to infections, or repellant to pests. These new genetic combinations are also known to escalate yields, growing conditions, growing pace, resistance, and endurance to climate (The regulation of genetic modifications, 2002). These genes are even transported between plants and animals in special circumstan... ... middle of paper ... ...neered foods (pp. 58-59). Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. Pesticides: What you need to know. (2012, February 07). Retrieved from http://www.nrdc.org/health/pesticides/ The good growth plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.syngenta.com/global/corporate/en/goodgrowthplan/challenges/Pages/challenges.aspx The regulation of genetic modifications. (2002, March 13). [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Michigan State University at https://www.msu.edu/course/fsc/421/.../GM%20Regulation.ppt Whitman, D. B. (2000, April). Genetically modified foods: Harmful or helpful? Retrieved from www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php Zilberman, D., Sexton, S. E., Marra, M., & Fernandez-Cornejo, J. (n.d.). The economic impact of genetically engineered crops. Choices, 129. Retrieved from www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/print.php?article=129
If you read the paper or watch the news, you’re undoubtedly aware of the debate raging over genetically modified food. Is it bad or is it good? Between the feuding sides, you might find yourself a little lost and wondering which side is right. Answers to seemingly simple questions have been blurred or exaggerated by both sides. On one side genetically modified food is more sustainable, safe, cheaper, easier to grow and has the potential of creating disease-fighting foods. Although this is positive and good intentioned, there may be unintended consequences that we have been quick to overlook. Those opposing genetically modified food clam that it is dangerous, harms the environment, increases health risks, and causes infertility and weight gain. Even things like the declining bee population may have closer ties to modified food than previously thought. We must look to science for answers. By studying genetically modified organisms (GMOs) we can guide our decision about whether we want to be consuming them.
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis. Just as the market for GM foods has increased, the level of opposition has increased as well, even up to the point of terrorist action against producers, growers, and sellers of genetically modified foods. So the question is posed, will GM foods be the future or the failure of our agricultural system?
Are genetically modified foods safe? Genetically modified foods are crop plants created for human or animal consumption using molecular biological techniques. These plants have been modified to enhance certain traits like increased resistance to herbicides or improve nutritional content. This process traditionally has been done through breeding, but is not very accurate. Scientists have been using biotechnology to implant the gene that makes the plants act the way they want them to. Genetically modified foods have advantages and disadvantages on the environment and advantages and disadvantages on society. We have to weigh the positives and negatives to see if genetically modified foods are healthy for us and if we really need them.
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 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.
Genetically modified crops have many potential advantages regarding the raising of agricultural productivity and reducing the need for pesticides that are known to be bad for the environment. GM (genetically modified) foods are already a large part of the Americans life; however, does the benefit of biotech outweigh the risks? (Cost and Benefits, 2014, pp. 155-170)
Phillips, Ph.D., Theresa. “GMOs: Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology.” Scitable. Web. 14 April 2014.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is an organism, such as a plant, animal, or any microorganism who’s had its DNA changed in different ways through genetic engineering that is not natural. It is an organism like every other organism, which produces thousands of proteins, but one or two of them are proteins that were chosen were specifically by humans. It creates unstable combinations of plants, animal, bacterial, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Majority of Americans in the US consume nearly 200 pounds of GMOs each year. 90% of US crops are genetically modified.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a cause of continuous debate. What would be the purpose of producing genetically altered food? Many argue that GMOs could prove to be very beneficial, the use of GMOs could lead to advances in medicine, and agriculture, and they could also prevent famine in poor underdeveloped countries. Genetic modification offers many benefits: pest control, disease resistant crops, drought resistant crops, no use of insecticides, nutritional beneficial foods, and less contamination. This is only a short list of the many benefits offered by the used of GMOs. With so many benefits why are we opposed to such a miracle? (NERC 2005)
Genetically modified foods are a controversial subject in today’s society. A genetically modified food is the result of biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic makeup of a food or organism to be altered in some way. They benefit the human race in many ways but they also pose many risks to the health of humans and the good of the environment. There is currently not enough proof to ensure the safety of these genetically modified products. Consuming these genetically altered and more processed foods can lead to increased
Genetically modified (GM) foods have become omnipresent over the past decade. They are a technological breakthrough that allows humans to manipulate and add foreign genes to crops to enhance desired traits, but they have also evolved into a controversial issue, especially for Third World countries. Some people believe that GM foods not only provide larger yields to feed hungry citizens in Third World countries, but they can also be a source of great nutritional value. For example, researchers have developed a strain of golden rice containing high amounts of vitamin A and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, GM crops are laced with herbicides and pesticides, and therefore reduce the need for chemical consumption. Opponents of GM foods claim that they pose a threat to the health of consumers and that these crops could eventually cross-pollinate in an unregulated fashion or lead to the growth of superweeds and superbugs resistant to the herbicides and pesticides woven into the genetic fiber of the crops. Developed nations should promote research and monitoring from an ethical point of view and financial assistance through philanthropic ventures in order to limit environmental and health risks. They should also make sure that limited cultural displacement will result from the introduction of GM crops and that instead, a better livelihood and well-being through collaboration will emerge. Hence, GM crops should be introduced only provided that the developed nations assume the ethical and financial responsibilities for the environmental, health, and social consequences that attend this new innovation.
Genetically Modified Organisms are one of the most controversial issues facing our world today. GMOs are foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering for improvement of productivity and product quality. GMOs have raised concerns over whether or not there beneficial or harmful to our health. It is not secret that GMO foods have had a dramatic impact on the world and humans deserve to know how they are not all that they appear to be. GMOs pose a serious threat to our health, lead to serious destruction of the environment and have contaminated organic crops. On the other hand they are resistant to disease, help humans suffering from famine, produce greater yields, and improve the nutrition of foods. In my personal opinion they are more detrimental to our wellbeing then helpful, however they are not completely useless.
What we eat today seems like what our ancestors ate. At least that is what we believe. However, something profoundly different has happened without our knowledge or consent. Based on what renowned doctors have said, what we did not notice before can be already hurting the humanity tremendously. Genetically modified foods are those plants or animals that have been modified from an organism by genetic engineering to produce the desired characteristics. Today, there is still no concise answer to this catastrophic issue of genetically modified foods. The first genetically modified food was commercialized in the 94s in the United States of America, the famous Flavr Savr tomato, produced by the Californian company Calgene. In this case, the inserted
Genetically modified foods most commonly refers to the plants, which has been modified in the laboratory to enhance improved nutritional content and aimed traits created for human beings and animals. With progress in various types of technology, especially in genetic engineering, farmers and scientists have changed the way in which food is grown and made, raising questions about the methods, their risks and possible effects. It is not a secret that GMF-ed foods have spread out rapidly to the whole world. GMFs have raised concerns over their own beneficial in that they are resistant to diseases, produces greater yields, and it improves the nutrition of foods making the people unaware about their effects. Every time we go to any grocery stores or supermarkets, we would not know whether the vegetables, fruits or even meats being sold are genetically modified. To make this situation worse, most consumers do not pay much attention to what they are eating, when they are actually consuming modified foods.
While shopping in a grocery store most shoppers are unaware that almost 70% of the produce is genetically modified (Smith). When people are told this their minds immediately make genetically modified foods seem like a bad thing. Some will argue that genetically modified foods are bad for a person’s health. Actually, genetically modified foods are almost identical to the original version and can be extremely beneficial to both the environment and the economy.