Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods

Over the years there has been a rapid increase of foods that are genetically modified being sold to us throughout the U.S. Genetically modified foods contain organisms that have had DNA from a non-related species transferred into their genes via biotechnology to permeate them with specific traits. And doing so these foods should not be sold. Crops that are genetically modified such as corn, soybeans, and tomatoes are toxic for the environment. Also, the health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown. And, genetic engineering creates dangerous side effects.

When cooking genetically modified foods, the food has to be fully cooked in order to get the chemicals out of the food. If left in the food, the chemical can enter our bloodstream and cause us to be deathly ill and may even cause death. Genetically modified foods may be good for the economy but they are not good for humans if not cooked properly.In a review of nineteen studies it shows that there has been significant organ disruption

Many will argue that Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) are not safe for human consumption, however they are almost inevitable for our everyday food consumption. Some argue that the recent increase in gluten intolerance is caused by GMO foods (Argument against). Other state that the risk to humans by GMO’s is relatively small (The GMO”). The bottom line is what people put into their bodies is a personal choice and a person should be able to easily tell if a product has been genetically modified or not.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of genetic modification in foods grown for human consumption. Many opponents suggest that genetically modified (GM) foods can affect human growth and development, increase allergic reactions in persons with allergy sensitivity or cause allergies to develop in healthy people. Proponents of using genetically modified organisms to alter and improve foods claim that there are no health risks to humans and that GM foods are subjected to stricter guidelines and testing than “naturally” grown food. They also claim that genetic modification of food is necessary to produce more drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant crops that can sustain the earth’s growing human population. A recent survey conducted suggests that public opinion is evenly divided on whether or not GMOs should be used in foods for human consumption. This paper looks to discuss the pros and cons of GMOs in food and the reported effects, if any, on human growth and development.

This Scholarly Journal article is about whether genetically modified organisms are dangerous or necessary. Dr. Michael Wald holds many degrees as a certified nutritionist, dietician and nutritional specialist. He earned his degree at University of Health Sciences School of Medicine. He uses this article to show a detailed look on genetically modified organisms issues. He believes that the issue of Genetically modified organisms are not safe, and got his decision based on extensive research in both political and scientific aspects of the genetically modified organisms.

Cummins article “Genetically Engineered Foods Are Hazardous” views GMO’s/GE’s as dangerous creations that undermine our health, environment, and farming. Firstly, they mention that GMO’s/GE’s are a revolution form of technology that allows individuals to create new organisms by changing its genetic code with genes from other organisms. However, scientist view these methods as crude and dangerous. Secondly, with these new organisms comes new dangers, unpredictable results, and hazards. They believe GMO’s/GE’s should become prohibit, with just a look at the hazards they already caused. If products are created in a lab, their seen as toxic and poison for both humans and animals. Two examples of this, includes a supplement called L-tryptophan that

1 Genetically modified foods are everywhere. They are in the form of breakfast cereals, Cheese, tinned vegetables, bread, savoury snacks, meat products, "convenience foods", drinks. Like I said, they are all around us. We are eating them every day. Sure there are advantages like seedless fruits and vegetables and orange carrots, but those are good for us and are really nice for our economy.

In the past few years, society has been made more aware of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Because of this, GMOs are being replaced in diets with more natural and organic options. GMOs have been researched and found to cause adverse effects on human health because of the gene splicing, or genetic alterations that are done to create them through genetic engineering. Before this issue became an issue, many people were eating processed and even healthy foods without understanding what chemicals and toxins they were actually putting into their bodies. GMOs are infused into food without awareness because one never really understands what all those unpronounceable words, label GMOs, really are. Due to recent research, it has been found that genetically modified organisms are harmful and can lead to increased risks of disease and cancer.

According to a recent report from the Environmental Working Group, the United States eats an average of 193 pounds of genetically modified organisms each year. (I deleted a whole sentence, I was told by my sister that since I wasn’t including the abbreviations, then there is no need for explaining what the abbreviation stands for) Genetically modified organisms (I have deleted the abbreviation and replaced it with the meaning, based upon the lessons tips) are in the foods and beverages that the society consumes. Yet 75% of the time, people are not aware they are consuming them. Most Genetically modified organisms are detrimental to individuals with food allergies. This is because one of the most commonly used genetically modified organism is soy. Soy is one of the eight most common food allergies in the United States of America (I took out the abbreviation and replaced it with the meaning, based upon the lessons tips). Also, by using genetically modified organisms the environment loses the genetic diversity in plants and animals. This is very important to the ecosystem because without genetic diversity every organism is exactly the same. These are a few reasons why genetically modified foods should not be allowed.

Genetically modified plants are the leading cause for food allergies and neurological diseases according to the Exposure to Environmental Hazard’s website. The fact that more genetically modified plants and food are being grown than non-modified plants is extremely disappointing and shameful. American’s consume most, if not all of the genetically modified plants without even realizing it. Some of the genetically modified plants are corn, soy, and wheat. Corn is in most everything we eat, it’s 80-90% of our supermarket shelf food consumption; which is why our GMO consumption is leading to our neurological diseases and neurological disease

Have you ever wondered what was in the food you eat? There are GMOs or genetically modified organisms that is in some of the foods you eat. “GE foods is usually made from organisms that are usually crop plants. GE foods have had genes from other plants or animals inserted into their genetic codes. Scientist change the genetic material and helps farmers, food manufacturers, consumers, or the environment."(Fernandez). Genetically Modified Foods are harmful to society because they cause allergic reactions, are mislabeled, and lack the testing.

Another crucial way in which humans are harmed from genetically modified foods is obesity. Obesity stems from an abnormal diet with high calorie-dense foods which results in above average body fat. It is associated with increased risk of disease such as cardiovascular failure and liver cancer, disability and incapacitation from excess weight on the joints and bones, and even death from complications arising from the obesity – not the obesity itself. People are consciously ignorant about the foods they eat. “Obesity is the sixth most common disease worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion adults and 10% of children are considered obese” (Haslam). Obesity is a chronic

First of all, genetically modified foods can cause many health risks to living organisms and even to the human body. New diseases, allergies, and nutritional problems are just a few of the side effects that FDA scientists warned can be caused by genetically modified foods. Producing its own insecticide, genetically modified foods can cause damage to the brain, liver, pancreas, and intestines. In an experiment,where rats were fed potatoes that have been genetically modified, they had extremely smaller livers. In another experiment, when rats were fed the GM canola, they had 12 to 16 percent heavier livers than normal rats. There is also evidence that genetically modified soy causes liver damage in humans. Knowing this, 89% of soybeans that are sold in the United States are genetically modified. Smith says, “In the1980s, a contaminated brand of a food supplement called L-tryptophan killed about 100 Americans and caused sickness and disability to another 5,000 to 10,000 people” ( “Spilling the Beans: Unintended GMO Health Risks” NP). This proves that genetically modified foods are harmful and are not 100% safe. Bleeding stomachs are also another deadly effect of genetically modified foods. After rats were fed tomatoes that had been genetically modified, 7 out of the 40 died and 7 also had bleeding stomachs (Smith 24). Also, the genetic material from genetically modified soy transfers into bacteria and continues to function inside of our intestines.

Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield, through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. GMOs are the source of genetically modified foods, and are also widely used in scientific research and to produce goods other than food. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. Most of the concern surrounding GMO’s relates to their potential for negative effects on the environment and human health. are genetically modified plants (FDA website). As a result of these risks, many people in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and other nations are demanding non-genetically modified (non-GMO) foods.

With an ever-growing population and the problems of world hunger, there has been a high demand for an increased food supply and a better food supply. Technology has been called upon to meet this challenge. The advent of genetically engineered foods, sometimes called transgenic crops or genetically modified foods, is not a new concept, but the controversy over it is. Can these "frankenfoods" be harmful to humans? What are their effects on the environment? The following paper will focus on such questions as well as providing a better understanding of what genetically modified foods are and how they should be regulated.