Benefits Of Genetically Engineered Food

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.

In North America and Europe the value and impact of genetically engineered food crops have become subjects of intense debate, provoking reactions from unbridled optimism to fervent political opposition.

Imagine going to the grocery store and seeing a seedless watermelon, but it is not the typical oval, it is square. Down the produce aisle, there are sweet, juicy strawberries; however, there is a warning label that says, “Do not consume if you have a nut allergy.” The world today is moving forward in the way that society produces our wholefoods. Genetic engineering, bioengineering, or biotechnology is the process of inserting the genetics of different plants and organisms into other plants or organisms to create new, more efficient DNA. However, is it truly beneficial to modify the world’s natural foods? The use of genetic engineering can disrupt the ecosystems that have taken billions of years to develop. Many years of research and work have gone into the subject of genetically modified foods; however, this new food trend could create or enhance food related illnesses and health problems, interfere with nature’s environs, and could even cause specific ethical problems for individuals that practice different faith. People should be aware of genetic engineering, how it works, and how it affects their lives.

There is much controversy surrounding genetically engineered (GE) foods and the use of biotechnology. However, they offer many scientifically proven advantages that could have a dramatic impact on world hunger and our environment in the near future. At the same time, the public is asking many good questions and raising concerns about what long term negative effects genetically engineered foods may have on the population’s health and the environment. Never the less, based on the following list, the advantages biotechnology currently provides, seems to out way the potential disadvantages they could impose on our future.

Currently over 7 billion people inhabit the earth, current estimates are that the world’s population could be as high as 10 billion by 2050. (Cleland, 553) In order to maintain a sufficient healthy food supply for a population of that size, the farming industry must continue to rely on scientific discoveries to raise crop output levels and raise nutritional values of that production. Beyond the discoveries that have already been made in the genetic altering of food supplies through mixed breeding of similar species. The next plateau will be the reliance on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to provide required crop supplies. Therefore, genetic modification of the world’s food supply is a sustainable effort to allow the human race to continue to support the ever-growing world population.

Erik Vance found that a “Green Revolution” had existed before the introduction of GMOs; people wanted to increase the traits of crops (such as wheat) associated with human consumption to compensate world population growth. By using GMOs, pesticides and herbicides weren’t necessary to fulfill this concept, and they were also less harmful to consumers and the environment. GMOs are also much less expensive than repeatedly buying chemicals to put on crops, making it easily accessible to poorer countries. Also, by genetically modifying crops, they can tolerate the effects of natural disasters and have much higher survival rates than those of unmodified crops. Flood-proof rice is already in effect in some countries, and with positive results. Countries considered to be poor can grow rice totally submerged in water for up to two weeks, and because the genetics of the rice were altered directly in rice fields and not labs, government agencies tended to scrutinize much less (Erik). With the protection against natural forces, crops could be grown virtually anywhere, and may even eliminate other weather-related issues such as drought and long periods of below-freezing weather. GMOs can also help crops and livestock withstand disease. “Several international institutes are developing apples with resistance to dozens of different diseases including fire blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew” (ABC). Countries

Our world is full of complications, situations that need people’s attention. Scientists are attempting to find answers for most of the world’s difficulties. Nevertheless, a solution for one problem creates some other obstacle. It becomes impossible to create a solution that does not have side effects. One of the difficult situations in this world is hunger and poverty. Many people lack enough food to live a healthy life, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. In order to provide sufficient food and maintain food security, scientists discovered genetically altered foods. Genetically engineered foods are grown from plants or animals whose genes are modified by inserting new genes that can increase the plant’s and animal’s resistance to diseases and worms. By doing so, researchers improve crop yield and animal products. In addition to increasing the amount of food produced, scientists enhance the nutritive content of crops by using biotechnology, which results in reducing malnutrition. Furthermore, some investigators claim the environmental importance of

As genetically modified food appeared into people’s consciousness, it had been at the center of vehement controversy. Because people lack information about genetically modified food’s potential influence, they wonder whether genetically modified food is a miracle or not. Genetically modified food can solve several problems. The potential effects of genetically modified food also should be measured. However, people should not assume that genetically modified food only has disadvantages, but understand the difference between genetically modified food and non-genetically modified food and know what genetically modified food might bring such as productiveness, nutrition and safety issues.

Genetically engineered foods have been a controversial topic for a long time, splitting society into two sides, for genetic engineering or against it. Some people think that genetically engineering our food greatly improves our food supply quality and quantity, while others may think that genetic engineering will destroy and ruin our world’s food supply. GMO has many pros and cons that can be a major effect today, as well as the future. However, I think that genetically engineering foods is a good idea for society. The use of genetically engineering foods has been significantly helping the food we eat with many factors. GMO can create safer crops that won’t catch disease as easily as crops that are not genetically engineered. People won’t have to worry if the food they’re eating is infected, for the crop would be

Genetically modified foods adversely affect our health. The consumption of these foods increases the risk of contracting diseases such as cancer. The genetically altered foods contain harmful toxins that have adverse effects on people’s health (Tourte, 2003). Some of the notable effects that have been identified include; increased allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as other toxic hazards. The allergic reactions come as a result of genetic modification which often requires mixing or addition of proteins that are non-indigenous to the animal or plant.

It has been over twenty years since genetically modified crops were initially commercialised. And the debate over if they are good for society or not still rages. It is a polarising topic, wrapped in propaganda and biased attitudes. It has divided the opinions of nations and brought the USA and Europe to the brink of a trade war. The acronym ‘GM’ is weighted down with cultural baggage and, in general society, has come to mean the unnatural mixing of genes by scientists who are playing God. However, genetically modified crops are actually defined as the manipulation of a plant through the insertion of specific DNA sequences to produce a desired trait. This

People opposed to genetically engineered crops believe genetically engineering a crop to have a higher nutritional value will cause problems with a person’s diet. They believe people will then disregard other foods besides the new genetically engineered food, and this will cause other health issues. This does not seem likely because genetically engineered crops with enhanced nutritional value are aimed to help people reach a certain daily value of a vitamin or mineral, not to replace a person’s whole diet. A person will still have to eat other foods with the new genetically engineered food, however, he or she will not have to eat as much to obtain the correct daily values of their vitamins and minerals. Countries such as Africa, who have a problem with people dying of starvation each year, could really use these kinds of crops. Crops that are genetically engineered to withstand drastic weather conditions and are higher in nutritional value could help Africa have a higher yield of crops to feed the starving children with. The increased nutritional value in these crops would also help the starving children get more of the vitamins and minerals they need to survive.

As modern society shifts towards healthier alternatives to french fries and hot dogs, practices in the food industry that were once acceptable have begun to come under public scrutiny. Out of these issues, none are more controversial than the use of GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms. Since its first use in 1973, genetic modification has been applied to almost every crop imaginable. Countless fields of beans, rice, and corn have become subject to genetic modification as more and more farmers begin to realize the benefits of growing “super” plants. With so little drawbacks and so many advantages, it is easy to see why GMOs are as widespread as they are in today’s society.

What foods are genetically modified? Well, most food that “contains sugar from sugar beets, soy, or corn,” is genetically modified (Mercola, 2015, p. 4). Most people consume genetically modified, or GM, foods every day without even being aware. While some do avidly monitor their food consumption and avoid GM foods, others simply eat GM foods because, to them, GM foods seem safe to consume. In “Genetically Modified Foods Are Not Safe to Eat,” osteopath, Joseph Mercola, advocates his concerns of consuming GM foods and stresses that more people need to be aware of what they eat. Even though some may still disagree that genetically modified foods are unsafe after reviewing Mercola’s work, his article contains an extremely sound and valid

Many people have no idea what GMO stands for, mostly likely including yourself. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms, which is where scientist remakes the genetic make-up of organisms. In the realm that needs the most attention are the GMOs in our fruits and vegetables that not only we have been eating for almost 10 years, but feeding GMOs to animals that we also eat. Most GMOs in fruits and vegetables have been created to resist insect infection. Basically, GMOs have insecticides that have been genetically engineered into the organism itself.