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 …show more content…
Through Dr. Bereano’s “Lego model,” Mercola shows how replacing genes with genetically modified ones can become unsafe. While genetically engineered genes may seem similar, they will not necessarily code for only one protein. This new structure can become harmful. By including research and support from scientist, Vrain, and Dr. Bereano, Mercola’s first premise is well supported.
In another premise, Mercola logically acknowledges problems that could arise from horizontal gene transfer through support from Dr. David Suzuik, an award-winning geneticist. After an explanation that genetic engineering utilizes horizontal gene transfer which “involves injecting a gene from one species into a completely different species” (Mercola, 2015, p. 2), Mercola (2015) writes that those in favor for GM crops believe vertical inheritance principles can be applied to horizontal gene transfer. Dr. Suzuki, on the other hand, states that their theory is flawed. Horizontal gene transfer can create unexpected results, thus causing the safety of genetically modified foods to waver (p. 2). This premise, although only supported once, is logical and sound. Many unpredicted reactions could be a result of horizontal gene transfer which could cause health problems for those who eat genetically modified food.
Not only does Mercola provide two well supported and logical premises, but he also
The article “Not in my fridge” by Jeffery M. Smith elaborately discussed the health hazards of genetically modified (GM) products. This article has opened my eyes and revealed my ignorance of how unmindful of what I have eaten for years. I was very alarmed by many of the things I have learned in this article. After learning the side-effect of GM food, I was certainly concerned for our health. Moreover, learning that the biotech company’s strong stand in advocate of GM products as well as the United States governments and the Food and Drug administration (FDA) cover up of serious safety issues of GM highly disturbed me.
In, “Are Engineered Foods Evil?,” Freedman discusses the concerns of scientist on both sides of the spectrum. He discusses the issue of the public being scared of what GM foods can do to our bodies as well as nations that have banned them all together. He provides concerns from renowned scientist who find GM foods to be subsequently harmful over an elongated amount of time and he also provides the viewpoints of renowned scientist who fight the fear with
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
The idea of genetically modifying food is great, but it is too good to be true. Underneath all the benefits lies many more disadvantages.
Joseph Mercola is an osteopath and a writer of books and papers. In his article, he addressed why genetically Modified foods are not safe to eat. He constantly refers to the writings of Thierry Vrain, a former research scientist for Agriculture Canada, once and advocates for GMOs turned skeptic. He explains that modifying the genes in plants is based on the hypothesis that has been proven wrong and that safety is an issue. He links GM food with serious health risks, and although big
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily
The debate about genetic modification has been going on for a long time. On one hand, advocates for genetic modification believe that many diseases could be prevented and it would relieve many people from pain. On the other hand, many critics of genetic modification believe that it is unnatural or playing god. I am drawn to this issue because I believe genetic modification is going to be, if it isn’t already, ubiquitous in our future. In my lifetime, 20-30 years from now, I will have to deal with the benefits and the possible ramifications of genetic modification. This issue is going to affect me directly and therefore I have chosen this topic. Genetic modification is already on the horizon and there is little anyone can do to stop this.
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.
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
With only a 20-year history, genetic engineering is only a young science with much uncertainly relativity compared to other fields. Much of the elements bioengineering studies and experiments, the DNA genome and sequence, are still unknown to the scientific community. Changes in genes greatly transform the condition, structure, and essence of an organism, giving us an entirely different and unnatural creation. Even when the physical effects are barely noticeable or deemed safe and ethical, these modified creations’ effects on the environment are impossible to predict and will only emerge when the damage done becomes evident to the human population. Though a large unknown looms over modifying genes, bioengineering industries insist upon dismissing the scare over genetic foods with the vast potential “miracle” foods can benefit upon human society.
Cummins, Ronnie. “Genetically Engineered Food Is Dangerous.” Genetic Engineering, Edited by James D. Torr, Greenhaven Press, 2001, pp. 109-118.
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,
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.
Much of the public concern surrounding the safety of GMOs stems from the process of actually creating them. This is admittedly not a natural process, which is a surefire way to raise critic’s eyebrows in doubting their safety. However, there is no evidence that supports these myths. The Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops, The National Academy of Science, and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Recourses all agree after extensive testing and observation that there is no additional harm in the consumption of GMO food. The research conducted in animal studies, as well as chemical analysis of the crops, show no indication that GMOs are negatively affecting human health. The next allegation hurled at GMOs is that they may have
The business structure that I would initially go with would be a sole proprietorship. The type of business I would like to start from the ground up would be a small gym that focuses on function and athleticism, while also focusing on Brazilian Jiujitsu as an option if one were to decide that martial arts would be a path one would like to pursue.