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
Should people be worried about genetically engineered food? Many people are starting to question what it is exactly that they are eating and how it could possibly harm them. Specifically, the harm that could befall them from GM food. A genetically modified organism is something that received one or more genes from another organism. There are three arguments that the people worried about GM food put on the table; those arguments being: GM food should be labeled, GM foods are not safe to eat, and GM crops won’t end world hunger and feed the whole world.
In todays society, people are more concerned about what they put into their body. They eat healthy and maintain a stable diet, but unknown to a number of these people is their food may have been tampered with in the form of Genetically Modified Organisms or, for short, GMO's. Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered to favor a certain characteristic or trait which is already in the DNA. This includes enhancing the DNA in plants to make them bigger, invincible to pests, or invincible towards weeds. Although, the reason why GMO's are a controversial topic is because of lack of knowledge. Genetically Modified Organisms are risky and potentially to dangerous to be handling because of the unknown side effects
Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop useful products and is a technological application that uses living organisms or systems. There is much controversy in the use of these systems because of possible health and environmental effects. One of the most widely used products of biotechnology is genetically modified (GM) crops. These are crops that have a specific combination of genetic material that is acquired through certain biotechnological processes or genetic engineering. Many crops have been subject to these genetic modifications such as: alfalfa, cotton, flax, rice, tobacco, tomatoes, and wheat. Many people are on various sides of the spectrum of being for the alteration of these crops or strongly against it.
Imagine knowing what is really in the food on our dinner plates every night. Probably organic, naturally grown foods, right? That might be the case in some foods, but now a days, most crops are grow genetically modified (GM). GM foods are foods that have been altered with a gene or protein from another living organism to give it a quality or characteristic that it never had before. Some examples of GM foods are apples that do not brown and potatoes that do not bruise. These are made when the organisms are genetically modified to reduce the levels of enzymes that cause browning and bruising. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are unsafe. While they can be beneficial, GMOs are unhealthy for human consumption, cause environmental impacts, and have
As stated in the Organic Consumers Association, 80 percent of the food consumed in America is processed, and 75 percent of the processed food contains Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) (Carolanne). GMOs are living organisms that their genetics had been unnaturally modified through scientists and engineers. This is a serious issue which every consumer in America is facing today. The rate of obesity had doubled since 1982, and this is only the visible effects of Genetically Modified (GM) food in the human body. There are more inner problems that a person can encounter by eating GM food. However, it does not end there. GM food can also cause problems for the environment. GM crops are a threat to birds, herbicides, insects, and even to water. GM food can be harmful to the human body and to the environment. Therefore, the U.S. should limit its use, and find some solutions.
People all around the world are still debating if gmo foods are beneficial or unbeneficial to us humans. These gmo foods were used 20 years ago and animal’s genes have moved from host to host from the beginning of time. In my opinion, I think that gmo foods are more beneficial to humans more than risks. Here are three reasons why gmo foods are beneficial to us.
Of course, when there is an argument against something, there will be a counter argument that will be for the same topic. One of the biggest health benefits that a GMO can bring to the world is the additional nutrients that can be added to the GMO (Murnaghan, 2017). This can be extremely helpful in poverty stricken areas. A food that is very common in that area can be enhanced to include the nutrient that is lacking. This will allow for the people in the area to have an all-around healthier diet without having to buy even more food to consume all the right nutrients. With the addition of nutrient enhancement in GMOs, the battle of malnutrition will also be helped (Duvauchelle, 2014). Malnutrition is very common in third world countries (Nodoushani,
Another benefit we get from GMOs is that it increases the crop yield in two ways: first is there will be fewer insects and pests that would eat the crops and, that it will grow without being bothered by pesticides (Bouis, 2007). GMOs has inbuilt resilience to diseases, viruses and herbicides that it requires lesser chemical pesticides and it makes them supposedly an environmental friendly, which reduces soil erosion. The production also demands less time; therefore it can provide a larger food supply to
It may indeed be true to say that in modern society there is a dispute about genetic modification of animals and its use. There are different opinions about this topic, and one is that these animals should be a part of our life because of some benefits for the human. Some people state that genetically modified animals cause more harmful consequences than benefits. The following research will provide the information about genetically modified animals, its advantages, and disadvantages. It will also give an idea for the reader about the application of genetically modified animals.
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.
Think back to the last meal you had; now think about how much of that food you consumed was genetically modified . Around 80% of today’s processed food contains genetically modified organisms, otherwise known as GMO’s. If you have never questioned where the food you consume on a daily basis comes from, it is time to start questioning. A genetically modified organism is a new version of a plant or animal that is created by altering genes using biotechnology . Today, more than 40 types of plants have been genetically modified and on the market to buy . An astonishing 90% of Canola, 88% of Corn and 94% of soy are GM . The FDA claims that GMO’s are nothing to worry about, and that it is perfectly healthy to consume food that is
The term - genetically modified organism - sounds like a word out of the most recent science-fiction book; however, genetically modified organisms, or “GMOs,” have been in foods for decades. GMOs carry dangerous potential. Some argue that the federal government keeps GMOs at low levels; so, most people are not aware of them. However, that argument is incredibly flawed. Over 90 percent of all soybeans, 80 percent of all corn, and 70 percent of all processed foods contain GMOs. (Hirshberg par 9, 11) Still, 5 out of 10 Americans do not know of GM foods or are not aware of how spread they are in the current food system. (Branson par 2) Worse yet, pesticide use associated with GMOs has been found in the blood of infants and pregnant women.
I think that there are more benefits than risks in GMO foods. Some examples, are that we use less pesticides on GMO foods, new species can be created, and we also get to eat less viruses on Genetically modified papaya. There are many genetically modified crops in the world. For example, according to “Google”, it states, ”Experts said 60 to 70 percent of processed foods on U.S. grocery store shelves have genetically modified ingredients”. This means that there is an estimate that about 70% of Genetically modified foods in our grocery shelves.
Many people view GMOs as “frankenfoods” and believe that the produce is poisoning them. However, there is a great amount of evidence that can be found to disprove this. Many environmentalists have distorted the public's knowledge of GMOs by only providing information and examples that make GMOs look like a terrible thing. Examples of this include, the crisis in India where they have seen people do not respond well and commit suicide due to “failing” seeds. In addition to this, opponents believe that GMOs can be inked to an increase in allergies. Some opponents also fear that someday the advancements might go too far and scientists may potentially consider using genetic modification to create “perfected” kids. It is obvious that these are very good and reasonable concerns but the benefits of GMOs greatly outway these potential