Biotechnology : Genetically Modified Foods

What are genetically modified foods? They are plants and animals whose DNA has been altered or change to suit the needs of humans. There are three types of genetically modified food (GM) first generation, second generation, and third generation crops. Each type is focused in different types of yields and crops so they can have a system that allows to keep production and value up.

Genetically modified foods have contributed to better foods in terms of food quality and human health.

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.

I have learned about the basics of DNA fingerprinting and what its main purposes are. Cloning relates to your DNA and twins to name a few things. You can use genetic engineering for many things including food, medecine, people, and more.

The process can be used to produce a more advanced organism by removing undesired traits in an organism. By the use of the technology, doctors can remove genes that have undesired effects on a human and its descendants. Such beings

Biotechnology has been around since man learned how to create beer with grain. However, biotechnology has many risks. It makes some crops not grow in certain places and cloning that could cause serious problems.

‘With genetically modified foods I believe we have reached the thin edge of the wedge, we are messing with the building blocks of life and its scary’ - Malcom Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive of Iceland Foods (Quotes from Scientists).

"Biotechnology involves any technique that uses living organisms or parts there of to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals or to develop micro organisms for specific uses" (Dr Sriwatanapongse, www.afic.org)

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.

Genetic Modification is the manipulation of an organism’s genes with biotechnology. This is a group of technologies used to modify the cells, also the transfer of genes within and to different species to make improved or new organisms.

In Biotechnology, using recombinant DNA (Genetic Modification) is performed by inserting a gene that codes for a specific protein into the nucleus of a host cell, deleting or inactivating genes, or causing certain genes to express themselves more often than usual. This causes the organism to carry specific traits that are not found in natural species, which is why some people are so against it. In the future, it may be possible to change our own genes to design the way we or our children look. We will be able to make ourselves faster, stronger, or smarter. We

Biotechnology has become a vital aspect of human life. There are many types of biotechnology and techniques that are used in the twenty first century. Bioremediation is a form of biotechnology where microbes are used to naturally clean contaminants in the environment. This forms a mutual understanding between humans and microbes because the microbes do the harmful job for the humans and in return, the microbes also consume the contaminants that were released into the environment by the humans. A technique used by retroviruses is called reverse transcription which is performed by an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. It uses RNA (Ribonucleic

There are a number of ways that Genetic Engineering has been utilised within modern society. Agriculture and Medicine have been the major sectors in which research has been

“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.

Biotechnology is a broad term. Basically, it is the “tools and techniques [opening] new research avenues for discovering how healthy bodies work and what goes wrong when problems arise”(Siedler para. 1). It covers controversial technology and procedure, like genetic engineering and gene therapy. It is controversial because it can affect everyone(Jeremy para. 16). As a consequence, the development of biotechnology has been a “slow, quiet progress”(Kirsner para. 3) because society may or may not recognize the repercussion of it. However, scientist like Smith- a previous chief for the Cambridge biotech company, Genzyme- continues to develop biotechnology(para. 1). Because biotechnology can be controversial, yet scientist continues to develop it;