Benefits Of Genetically Modified Crops Essay

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

For the last several decades, the world has been plagued by widespread starvation and poverty. Economies are failing in numerous countries, and developing nations struggle to feed their inhabitants. As a result of the world’s mounting overpopulation, food has become scarce and resources are rapidly dwindling. However, modern science has provided a solution: agricultural biotechnology. Genetically engineered crops represent the bright future of agriculture. Crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans can have genes inserted or deleted into their cell membranes; this modification facilitates pest and virus resistance, drought tolerance, and even provides nutritional enhancement. Genetically altered crops produce much higher

This paper examines the latest evidence on whether genetically modified foods have been proven safe for consumption. Also explored are how people might benefit from genetically modified crops and whether or not food products made from Genetically Modified (GM) crops should be labeled. Another important topic is whether Genetically Modified crops could reduce world hunger. Finally, the effects of environmental effects of planting Genetically Modified crops will be examined.

And, although many concerns have been expressed about the potential for unexpected consequences, the unexpected effects that have been observed so far have been benign” (“Nina Fedoroff”). With that being said, modified crops are not as bad as many people think. In fact, evidence has been found that genetically modified crops actually benefit the world’s economic and environmental condition. Whether the food helps feed starving children in Africa, or improves the taste of the potato chips that the average American man is eating right now, genetically modified crops have many advantages. Although some scientists may argue that genetically modifying crops have negative impacts, genetically modified crops have positive consequences on society because they help preserve the environment, they have more nutritional value than their organic counterparts, and they heal worldwide hunger.

Although many oppose the genetic modification of crops, genetic modification also poses an opportunity to lower the price of crops and increase production, which could help solve world hunger. While it may seem like negative effects would be outweighed by the possibility of solving world hunger, an important issue, the conceivably detrimental effects on the health of the environment and the human race would outweigh the humanitarian goal of stopping world hunger. Genetic modification of crops is not the only possible solution to world hunger. There are other solutions that would not negatively harm the environment. The effects of genetic modification, good or bad, would affect everyone as this process is already wide spread. Although everyone has different opinions about the genetic modification of crops, it really comes down to whether solving world hunger is worth hurting the earth.

Ever since the discovery of DNA, farmers have selectively bred plants in order to bring out desirable traits such a large yield or longevity. As time passed on new discoveries were made about DNA and scientist eventually became able to directly insert genes into a plant cell, permanently changing the world of agriculture. Genetically modified agriculture, or transgenic crops, are crops that have had their DNA altered via genetic engineering. Transgenic crops are often the subject of skepticism from wealthy countries such as America. In these countries the citizens are concerned transgenic crops may have a negative impact on their health and the environment. As a result transgenic crops, or any other genetically modified organism, are the subject of controversy. On one side of the debate there are the supporters who see the potential of genetic engineering and the other side there are people who fear modifying the DNA of any living creature is going too far. Although some wealthy nations refuse to grow or consume transgenic crops many developing nations can benefit from this technology. This essay is not meant to argue the moral problems or speculations associated with transgenic crops, it is intended to argue the potential benefits of transgenic crops in developing nations where there is a scarcity of quality food. In developing countries, transgenic crops can positively affect the health of citizens, the economy, and the environment of these nations.

Since the 1990s, when genetically modified organisms became available, its consumption has been increasing rapidly (Nelson, 2001). The most common genetically modified crops include corn, sugar, cotton, dairy, rice, potatoes and tomatoes. There are opponents and supporters of GMO alike. Environmental and consumer organizations protest against genetic engineering claiming that the GMO foods bring risks to human health. On the supporting side, it is believed that the use of genetically modified crops provides potential benefits. Firstly, they play a significant role in food security as one of the possible solutions to undernourishment. Secondly, genetically modified plants are cheaper to grow and better able to survive climate changes. The

One of the most prominent issues facing the world today is the challenge of producing an adequate food supply for the planet’s over 7 billion residents (Liban). Genetically engineered crops present a solution to this issue through a number of alleged benefits. In an analytical report published in GM Crops, lead author Graham Brookes describes how

Throughout our entire existence, humans have evolved into an agricultural based society. The increase of population has made it necessary to selectively breed plants and animals to keep up with the demands for food. As technology has evolved even further, biotechnology has become a popular option. Recently, there has been a push for the use of genetically modified seeds and organisms (GMOs) for food relief. This push of genetically modified seeds in North America is at such a large scale that the quality of non-genetically modified crops is being jeopardized. The GMO push has become a controversial issue and concern globally. Biotechnology has advanced and developed at such a rapid rate that there hasn’t been enough consideration and

The United Nations predicts that the population will go up by at least two billion people by the year 2050. Eighty percent of this new population will be in sub-Saharan Africa and in South and Southeast Asia. These are the areas where climate change will be the most felt. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that the world’s food supply is in trouble because there has been crop yield drop for corn, wheat, and rice. There are also some places the crops have stopped growing altogether. Climate change’s biggest threat could be on the world’s food supply. Something must happen should to help this issue at hand. This is where the debate of modern technology, such as genetically modified crop, should be used to help the oncoming food dilemma.

The controversy arises from the main premise behind the development of genetically modified food: crop yield. Paul Driessen, a notable economic, ecologic, and social equality activist, claims that genetically modified foods can cure the malnutrition in the world, due to the increased yields and nutritional value offered by genetically modified (GM) Crops (1). In a recent edition of the Harvard International Review, the opponents of GM foods counter Driessen’s argument by stating that Golden Rice, a new strain of genetically modified food, “could actually exacerbate malnutrition because

Despite of the dangerousness, “……damage to organs, causes infertility, immune system failure, holes in the G.I. tract (human gastrointestinal tract) and multiple organ system failure”, the foods have still been on our table without verification (Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs). No one can guarantee that how GMOs’ side effects will be long-term, continuous and proving safety is beyond the capabilities of current technology. Any scientist that looks into the research and found the lack of research on the safety of genetically engineered food comes to the conclusion that these foods should not be on the market; they need another decade or two decade of research . The use of GMOs in agriculture is a risk that is simply not worth taking. Supporters of genetic engineering argue that the application of biotechnology are to improve the nutritional contents of various foods which will help people who suffer many deficiency diseases. As well, they claim that GMF (genetically modified food) can yields medical benefit by injecting a particular genes or vaccine (). However, GMOs are only a temporary portion, not the essential solution for nutritional improvement of foods and medical benefits. Their own disadvantages far be greater than their own advantages.

Humans should continue growing and distributing genetically modified crops. The benefits of biotechnology significantly outweigh possible consequences.

There exists a debate over the use of genetically modified organisms to replace conventional food production techniques and the safety of the foods produced. In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of the general public and reported that out of a survey of 2,000 individuals 57% of individuals believed it unsafe to consume genetically modified foods, 25% considered it safe, and 6% either did not know or did not answer (Funk and Rainie). In sharp contrast to this statistic, when asked the same question, 88% of 3,748 scientists from the American Association for the Advancement of Science considered genetically modified foods to be safe (Funk and Rainie). This difference in percentages can be considered alarming, but also understandable. Genetically modified organism or genetically engineered are relatively new terms to come to the dinner table. In a world where hunter-gatherers, farmers, and agricultural interests have been the backbone of the development of most civilizations, it is not unfounded to be concerned when biotechnology steps onto the playing field. As aforementioned, genetically engineered crops became available for farmers in 1996, just 20 years ago (Fernandez-Cornejo, et al.). According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the majority of these seeds were engineered with the purpose of providing farmers with a solution to pest management, with the advent of herbicide-tolerant seeds as well as seeds with traits allowing the plant to produce

A Genetically Modified Organism or GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the process of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found within. These genetically modified organisms are a relatively new phenomenon in the United States, introduced in 1994. However, beginning in 2014 these chemicals could be found in 90% of corn, cotton, and soybeans produced in the United States. The looks and taste of genetically modified organisms may seem inviting but are the health risks really worth it? In my opinion, I believe that while genetically modified organisms do have positive feel and comfort they pose a large health risk to all who choose to consume them.