Biotechnology : Genetically Modified Organisms

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetics has been altered by some form of technology. GMOs were first developed from the idea of selective breeding or artificial selection. Selective breeding or artificial selection is when humans purposely breed two selected organisms to reproduce a offspring with a desired trait.

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.

Although many may disagree, there are many advantages to genetic modification in foods. Environmentally speaking, Crops that have inherited pest resistance through genetic alterations often reduce the need for the application of chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides can often have harmful effects on the environment. They can kill beneficial insect species in the field and get into other ecosystems when washed into waterways. In addition, genetic engineering can be used in many ways to improve the efficiency of crops. Resistance to herbicide and insect pests are two ways can help to improve productivity. With the improvement of productivity comes the reduction of cost. The use of GMOs can reduce the need for the application of chemicals. In some cases they may lead to traits which ease planting, harvesting, or processing in ways which reduce the cost of production.

Most of the people is aware of the risk of genetically modified organisms or GMOs to health; however, GMOs are also beneficial. Some of GMOs benefits are increased crop yields, decreased expense for food or drug production, decreased need for pesticides, improved nutrient structure and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, better food security, and medical benefits to the world’s growing population. Developments have also been made in emerging crops that mature faster and tolerate aluminum, boron, salt, drought, frost, and other environmental stressors which allow plants to grow in conditions where they might not otherwise flourish. A number of animals have also been genetically caused to rise yield and drop susceptibility

Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are substances which have had their genetic material altered through unnatural processes. Since the advent of the first GMO in 1973, the modification of plants and animals through the introduction of a new trait or the alteration of a gene has significantly increased (Aleksejeva 5). With increasing genetic modifications of plants and animals for food products, and the widespread presence of GM foods in the market, consumers are beginning to ask more questions about the health effects of these foods.

The scientific field of genetic modification is often used within the agricultural industry. Genetically modified foods are used to reduce costs, increase output, limit pesticides or

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have served as a topic of great debate in recent years. Before the existence of genetic engineering, humans have used the process of artificial selection to only breed certain organisms with desirable traits or genetic qualities. While this practice has been proven to be effective, selective breeding can only manipulate the naturally occurring variations within different breeds. Genetic engineering allows scientists to break this limitation by introducing genes into an organism from a completely unrelated species. This practice is commonly carried out on consumer goods such as crops, livestock, and bacteria. These GMOs can offer a variety of advantageous products, including

For many years Americans have been purchasing and consuming Genetically Modified Foods. Not all Americans have been aware of this, in fact many people do not even know what a GMO is. Author Jeffery Smith wrote, "A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans." Big Biotech companies tell consumers that (GMO) foods are very beneficial. Biotech companies have been promising that they can feed the world by using GMO food. Companies like Monsanto tell Americans that GM foods are full of nutrition. Companies are even genetically modifying vaccines and medications. There are many risks involved with GM foods. GMOs contain toxins and can cause infections in humans and animals. GM foods help destroy beneficial bacteria. GM foods are mutated, and they are creating new allergies in humans. GM foods are causing cancer in humans and in animals. Many people do not know that GMOs even exist. The world needs to be educated about GMOs so that they have a chance to save themselves and their loved ones.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been used in a wide variety of fields, from transgenic bacteria used to produce human insulin to reducing the cost of agricultural production. They are created when foreign DNA, which codes for a desire trait, such as pest resistance, is inserted into the genome of an organism. This creates a transgenic organism with a now useful trait, which can be used in agriculture and medicine. The potential benefits of the technology are undeniable, however GMO implementation has been fraught with controversy since its introduction in the 1990s. Genetically modified organisms have been in the food supply in the United States and EU for the past 20 years after the initial introduction of several major staples

Biotechnology offers a variety of potential benefits and risks. It enhanced the food production by making plants less vulnerable to drought, frost, insects, and viruses and by enabling plants to compete more effectively against weeds for soil nutrients. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are defined as organisms (except for human beings) in which the genetic material has been altered in a way which doesn 't occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. GMO 's have widespread applications as they are used in biological and medical research, production of pharmaceutical drugs, experimental medicine, and agriculture. The use of gene technology in food production has become interesting due to increased needs of

A starving family in Zambia is in dire need of help. They travel to their countries’ capital in search of relief. The capital has plenty of food donations coming in from countries all over the world trying to help the African country in its’ time of need. The most recent food donation came from a fundraiser in America to help feed the hunger-ridden country but, there is something different about this food. The cornmeal inside of the shipment is made from Bt corn; a genetically modified organism (GMO) created for increased pest resistance. The starving Africans do not care if the food is genetically modified or not, they are only trying to feed their malnourished families. However, with heavy European influence on their government, the Zambian president at the time, Levy Mwanawasa, deemed the GM food donation “‘poison’” (Better Dead than GM-fed) and refused to distribute any of the GM donations. Instead of finding the help the so desperately needed, the starving family gets to watch the pile of food rot away in front of them.

Individuals have been changing the genomes of creature s and plant biography for a long sentence utilizing conventional rearing method acting ; this is a simulated determination that life strain s that shows particular attributes are decided to breed . In late decades, nonetheless, propels in the field of genetic designing have took into write up exact control over the genetic changes brought into a life form. (Phillips, 2008) Today, we can consolidate new genes from one animal categories into a totally disconnected animal types through genetic building, streamlining agrarian execution or encouraging the coevals of significant pharmaceutical substances. A few samples of genetically modified living organism are plants, creature and microscopic organisms.

Economic value of genetically engineered food to farmers in terms of raising agricultural productivity and reducing environmentally harmful risk is one of its major benefits [7]. For example, genetically engineered crops have improved traits of herbicide and pesticide tolerance, as well as insect, viruses and fungi resistance [8].

In this century, humans have claimed greater success in scientific technology, especially in Biotechnology field. There is an old saying: “The more you get, the more you want”, and in fact, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is one typical controversy. For some, it should be widely-used to improve vegetable resistances when the natural habitats rapidly change. However, according to some U.S Scientists and Senior U.S Government, there are many side-effects of GMO which take adverse impacts on human health, genome of species and environment. By researching harmful evidence on human, Doshi – Ph.D from Johns Hopkins University suggested that it is to stop using GMO immediately to keep out high-risk problems.

In this century, human is claiming greater successes in technical science, especially Biotechnology field which has gained an enormous change during last 100 years. It is a truth that “The more your get, the more you want”, human is using biotechnology too much which are both advantages and disadvantages. One of them, Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) is one typical representative of being controversial .For some, it should be widely-used as a good-one to improve vegetable resistances when the habitats rapidly change. The statistic of Europe Company even point out that lack of nutrition and world's hunger could be solved by a great revolution by GMO. Another dangerous view to GMO by U.S Scientists and Senior U.S Government, there are many side-effects which take adverse impacts to human health, genome of species and environment. By strong harmful evidence on human, Doshi – Ph.D from Johns Hopkins University, it must be avoided to keep out high-risk problems of human health.