An Introduction To Agriculture, Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically modified crops are an incredibly important issue that everyone should be aware of since it is something we are exposed to at a daily basis. Genetically modified crops also known as GM crops or Biotech crops has been one of the most heated debates of issues within our society. The debate about the safety, concerns and disadvantages of GM crops have raged since the mid 1990 's but this is due to the lack of knowledge of the general public. Many people are unaware of what the GM crops actually are and what they offer. Genetically modified crops are plants that are used in the agriculture and have been modified to initiate a new trait to plants that does not happen naturally in the species. These plants are modified using genetic engineering techniques to enhance desired traits. GM crops are made when genes of commercial interest are transferred from one organism to another.() There are many methods used for the production of GM crops but the two primary used for plant insertion are gene guns and agrobacterium tumefaciens. There are also three types of modifications which are transgenic, cisgenic, and subgenic plants. However, there are a number of issues that surround this controversial topic such as environmental, health, and economic concerns. Even though there are some worrying facts about GM crops people don 't realize the advantages or the ways it has helped humans as well as animals. There are many reasons why GM crops are proven

In contrast, the counter argument claims that GMOs are unsafe for human consumption. However, GMOs actually improve human health by reducing the amount of pesticides needed for successful crop production. With the use of GMOs in crop production, the amount of pesticide and herbicide application has decreased. To resume, successful crop production is essential to a farmer’s success, which could be why over 18 million farmers throughout the world utilize GMOs. The successful production of crops can be achieved by genetically modifying crops with resistance against insects, weeds, and other threats. Resistance to different stressors has reduced pesticide applications by 8.1 percent. Additionally, crops that are modified to be resistant to specific

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

In an ever changing world, there are only a few things that are certain that all people need. It is said that a human can last three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. The typical American farmer in 2017 feeds about 155 people compared to the 25.8 people in 1960. The thought of genetically modified organisms is nothing more than just a regulatory muddle. Agriculture is such a widely conversed topic however, through extensive research, international experiments, and general education, it is clear that genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are safe on all aspects as well as necessary to continue to feed the people.

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.

GMOs have been claimed to be a possible solution to world hunger, but Urban claims that they have not been proven to produce more plants, efficienty (Urban 2010). If there truly is no increase in efficiency of the production of food through GMOs, then there is no reason in risking human health over unknown effects. Some researchers argue that plants with GMOs require less pesticides which is false according to Urban. He underlined that more likely than not genetically modified organisms are harmful to the environment and people because they require so much use of pesticides and fertilizers which are obviously very harmful to a person’s health (Urban 2010). He expressed that these chemicals are increased in order to produce stronger crops to fight off insects, but that humans should not be eating crops produced by them because they are dangerous for humans as well as the health of the environment (Urban

Because there is such an abundance of food in this country (the USA), one can find GMOs almost everywhere, from a cob of corn in the produce aisle to a fast-food quarter pounder. Consequently, if a person is concerned about what food they are putting into their mouth, the topic is GMOs is likely to show up at some point. Growing crops that have been changed on a genetic level to achieve a specific characteristic is now a commonplace practice by many commercial and non-commercial farmers alike. These enhanced species of plants have a variety of advantages over unmodified species. Genetically modified organisms can benefit farmers and consumers because of their increased durability and

With the increased amount of publicity, genetically modified organisms have recently been under harsh scrutiny and criticism. Consumers around the world are concerned whether or not consuming these newly modified organisms have any long term or short term health effects. “An exhaustive new study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, found “no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops,”(Hall). This experiment showed that there are no alarming effects for consumers to worry about when consuming genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops have been consumed for over twenty years now without causing any increase in health problem in the populations that consume them. These products are some of the most tested and safest agriculture products out there today. All of the testing done on genetically modified crops and their safety is monitored by the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). Across the board with so many different agencies committed to reviewing testing of GMOs these products and organisms are undoubtedly safe

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.

Genetically Modified Organism’s (GMO) have been gaining public spotlight as scrutiny over their safety has recently been popularized. A GMO is defined as “an organism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering,” (Dictionary.com, 2015). The debate for both sides of the argument have been detrimental to the other and have yet to be copiously presented without a bias. While any organism can be genetically modified, the unrest between consumers and producers is centered around GMO crops because of the potential impact they could have on human health (Bushak, 2015).

Ever since the incorporation of GMO crops into the modern diet, they have been hotly debated as evidence continues to surface indicating they may not be the miracle crops many scientists hoped for. There is sufficient evidence to indicate that GMOs pose an unnecessary risk to human health and the environment. Detrimental impacts of GMOs are seen from increased pesticide use, cultivation of harmful traits, and a general exacerbation of the very problems they attempt to solve.

As human beings, we rely on food every day, and without it we wouldn’t be able to function properly. Over the decades, with our fast pace advances in production and new technology we are able to produce large quantities of food with Genetically Modified Organisms. GM foods are produced because of the idea that consumers and producers both have an advantage to obtaining these products. For Example, GM products hold many benefits, from nutritional value to durability against environment. GM productions were concentrated mostly on producers to benefit the farmers in their products by aiming to increase the crop protection and resistance to plant diseases or viruses. Considering these new advances; consumers, farmers and policymakers worldwide are challenged to reach consent with a clear vision for the future of the world’s food supply. The contemporary GMO food debate illustrates the serious conflict between two groups: Biological Recombinant DNA investors and affiliated scientists who consider this technology a solution to food shortages; and independent scientists, environmentalists, farmers and consumers that suggest these advances increase risk to environmental and health issues.

“70 percent of our corn farmland and 93 percent of soy farmland are planted with crops genetically engineered to resist pests and herbicides and increase crop yields. 60% of all the processed foods in the United States are genetically modified; a shocking statistic has the concern of many Americans. However, most people are uninformed about the beneficial impact that genetically modified food has on their diet. GM is the use of molecular biology technology to modify the inherited structure of organisms. Genetically engineered crops increase nutrients, drought tolerance, provide more food for growing populations, and resists diseases and pesticides. Genetically engineered foods are crucial to the improvement of economy, agriculture, society, and health choices. The creation of GM foods was one of the most significant breakthroughs in food industry. Genetically modifying foods is a key component that is harmless for the enrichment of our foods.

Genetically Modified, or GM, crops were first designed in the mid-late 1900’s when the idea to create DNA emerged. They have proven to be genetically resistant to many diseases, leading to greater yields of crops and less manual labor. Approximately 150 million hectares of land are currently being used solely for GM plants. Farmer profits have increased by 66% and crop yields have increased by 22%. With this success rate, it might be difficult to see the negative effects of increasing the prevalence of GM Crops throughout the world and in the food supply. Although GM plants have increased the international food supply and made the process of farming more efficient, GM crops have actually decreased the biodiversity present in the world, harming the environment they inhabit and the society that depends on them. Many developing countries have have actively introduced GM plants into their agricultural sphere while many others are skeptical. Other countries are divided; though their government may approve of the use of GMO’s , many groups within the nation are in opposition for adopting them. The issue about the use of GM crops continues to remain a national issue, with each country being responsible for addressing it for their own individual nation and citizens.