Advantages and Disadvantages of GMO Products

A GMO is a genetically modified organism that goes through the process of genetic engineering. This is when genes of one organism are extracted, altered, and then artificially placed into another organism to then grow. We typically see GMOs in the food we consume every day. These foods include fruits and vegetables, however the most common organisms that are genetically engineered include, corn, soy, and cotton. It is ultimately the unnatural cross breeding of plants, animals, bacteria, and virus genes (Non-GMO Project). But now why is there a debate for placing a label to notify consumers of GMOs in their foods? Do we know the potential harm that GMOs can cause? We have the right to know what we are putting into our bodies and what is found in our everyday foods.

While the agricultural world is working hard to make positive influences on more efficient farming, individuals have treated GMO’s as a negative alteration in their produce. Farmers and researchers in the agricultural world claim no harm can be done by them. GMO’s have not yet been proven to be harmful to humans and have, in fac,t had a positive impact on the food industry today.

Many will argue that Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) are not safe for human consumption, however they are almost inevitable for our everyday food consumption. Some argue that the recent increase in gluten intolerance is caused by GMO foods (Argument against). Other state that the risk to humans by GMO’s is relatively small (The GMO”). The bottom line is what people put into their bodies is a personal choice and a person should be able to easily tell if a product has been genetically modified or not.

GMO foods were designed for various reasons; for instance, to enhance growth, resist parasites, hold longer shelf life, and hold a higher nutritional value. Controversy of GMOs is still prevalent, as they have been able to consume for over 20 years. Many are concerned because of the

While genetic management of foods can be traced throughout history, the modern phenomena of GMOs and transgenic plants have come to light in just the last few decades. In today’s modern society, the science of biotechnology and the process of genetic modification are developing throughout the planet. As of 2004, 8.25 million farmers in 17 countries were using genetically modified crops. Today, approximately two- thirds of all food offered in supermarkets has been genetically modified. However, the subject of GMO’s is one of great controversy. Although this modern invention does have some positive results on the food industry it also has brought some negative consequences along with it.

The world we live in today is in no doubt constantly changing all thanks to the technological and scientific advancements. These advancements are what have led to the birth of molecular genetics which is the genesis of improvements in the field of agriculture. Food is a very crucial part of human survival, and while it may be abundant in many developed countries, the same cannot be said about the developing countries. A 2015 report by FAO on the state of food insecurity sates that there are about 795 million people sleeping hungry because of shortage of food with the vast majority coming from developing countries (2015, FAO). The rise of genetically modified food in the recent years however has helped to provide a solution to some of these food shortage problems. Generally genetically modified foods otherwise known as GMO foods are foods that result from crops whose genetic makeup have been modified or altered. This happens through a process that’s referred to as recombinant DNA that serves to give plants traits that are desirable with the use of molecular techniques. Some of the most bioengineered foods include tomatoes, corn, cotton, rice, papaya, wheat among others. While it has had many benefits and successes, GM foods still have risks and the question of safety always arises when it comes to discussions.

World Hunger is one of the biggest problems that our world faces, with more people dying from starvation every year in third world countries people are dying from a cause that is very preventable. Consumers around the world need to know that genetically modified crops are safe, healthy and extremely beneficial to economies and individuals, not just in third world countries but across the entire world. There are hundreds of relief efforts around the world that gather money through donations of people, and then try to gather enough food to feed starving people in places like Africa. However small organizations are never going to be enough to help

The belief that GMOs have a detrimental effect on world health has made its inclusion in our food supply one of the most talked about topics today. This reaction comes from an alarming body of evidence connecting them with health issues, environmental damage and the violation of farmer and consumers’ rights. (Non GMO Project.) This issue has created a growing concern throughout the world, prompting over sixty countries to ban them or pass stringent laws to label their presence in consumer products, especially food (Non GMO Project.)

GMO’s in the United Sates are a hot topic, both personally and politically. Some people are uneducated on the GMO’s and that they even exist, others making the switch to going organic for the sake of the health of their families and themselves. On the political avenue many laws and bills continue to go through congress but never stay alive. Some states have stepped in and passed individual laws to at least require labeling on all food products containing GMO’s. The latest Bill to come up in the federal government was HR1599 Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (Pompeo, 2015). What exactly is HR1599; from the title you would think it is something good and positive. The intent of the bill proposed by Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., said it works

GMO’S are genetically modified organism that lots of farmers are starting to use. Personally I do not agree with gmos because they can harm our environment and they aren’t the safest thing on planet earth. Although I do understand that gmos are in almost everything we eat I am still against it.

They often try to stay away from these genetically modified foods like corn, wheat, fruits and even in meat. It is said the GMOs consequences are largely unknown and once the genes have been modified, there is no going back. Though GMOs can be very helpful. Genetically modified organisms can provide and save plant waste by a bug resistant plant, survive in harsh climates and modify the size of plants. GMOs are safe for human consumption because we have been eating them for decades with no ill effects, but for people who don’t want to eat GMOs, products should show provide labeling. GMOs are safe to consume because they are simply an organism, like other organisms, have tens of thousands of protein, but two of those proteins are chosen to be modified by humans. Recently the FDA approved genetically modified apples to prevent them from browning and potatoes bruising. While people began to uprise to this change, the FDA claims that these new GMOs apples and potatoes are safe and nutritious to eat. The benefits of GMOs is the resistance to disease. Plants can now withstand harsh climates, make crops pest and parasite free, and eliminate bacteria in plants. Crops have become high in nutritional value, with high vitamins. For example, golden rice is packed with vitamin A which helps treat disorders. There is also environment benefits allowing livestock and crops to adjust to any environment. Lastly, it helps to boost our health foods add nutrients to our diet by incorporating essential minerals and vitamins, which helps keep future generations fit and

GMO foods can protect anyone who eats them from disease and famine. GMO food products are manufactured to give the consumer a healthier option for buying groceries, assist the economy, and benefitting the producer by using less time to try meeting demands. In fact, the consumer and the producer benefit from costs being low, and supply meeting demand. Citizens obtain what they desire, at a low price, with improved flavor and disease prevention. The essay will demonstrate many ways on how crops that are genetically modified help all people in the nation.

Scientists may think they can increase the productivity of food through the innovation. In order to invent less costly products to reach the equilibrium in the food market, they have tried to modify the genes inside of grains and crops at all costs. There is an academic term for this kind of product, GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). At present, whether GMO is good for human beings to consume is still doubtful. Neither cannot scientist provide convincing proves that GMOs are safe for consumers, nor there are any strict regulations on GMO in the market. In general, artificial interference is the main factor that results these unsafe products. Moreover, the qualities of these newly invented products are strongly associated with monetary profits are below what people expect, they may threaten human beings’ health in the future.

Earlier today (November 19th) the FDA approved the first ever GMO animal for human consumption, the AquAdvantage Salmon. This particular "animal drug" (as the FDA is terrifyingly classifying it) has had its genetics manipulated to have it grew faster.

developing countries. In the same article, Rachel Schurman, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota, points out many of the poor farmers in the developing countries are still unable to afford the high yield crops, good irrigation tools, nutritious fertilizers and powerful pesticides for their farmlands (qtd.in McLure). Therefore, it is not feasible for the farmers in the developing countries to commit themselves to the expensive genetic engineering technologies. In addition, the opponents of GMO report that the regulatory cost is very high in a lot of countries. As Harry Klee, a former Monsanto scientist who is now at the University of Florida says, “Providing research data to make a single genetic alteration in a tomato can cost up to $15 million [in America],” (qtd. in McLure). Therefore, the forecasted benefits of adopting GMO and GM foods to help the developing countries are arguable and needed further in-depth investigation.