Fear of Genetically Modified Food While researching articles and rather old and recent advances in growing food, I realized the number majority of the public was unsure on whether GMO’s was either good or bad for them. After reading many articles defending both sides, I find myself leaning towards the health concerns of food that has been genetically altered rather than its benefits. Genetically modified foods are foods produced from organisms whose DNA has been altered using the methods of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering techniques allow for the introduction of new traits as well as greater control over traits than previous methods such as selective breeding. Commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994, …show more content…
In a study conducted on a company named “Monsanto” revealed that rats feed on Monsanto’s genetically modified corn suffered from tumors in their mammary glands and severe damage to their internal organs. After this discovery the french government requested that an investigation be opened to gain further knowledge in their findings. The rats in this experiment were feed NK603, which is a seed variety made to tolerant dousings of Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller at acceptable levels according to the United States died earlier then the rats that were on a normal diet. The rats on the genetically modified diet suffered mammary tumors, as well as severe liver and kidney damage, according to the peer-reviewed study which was published in the journal
Food and Chemical Toxicology and presented at a news conference in London. Researchers concluded that 50 percent of the males and 70 percent of the females died prematurely compared to the 30 percent and 20 percent in the group that had that had a normal diet. Jackson 3
The opposition claim that long term health risks have not been adequately assessed and propose various combinations of additional testing, labeling or removal from the market while the advocacy group called the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER), fights the claim that "science" supports the safety of current GM foods,
GMOs, (genetically modified organisms) have been a topic of interest in the social eyes for years. Since they’ve been created, many people have voiced and written about their opinions on GMOs, and whether they are dangerous or not. Created to expand the genetic diversity of crops and animals, many don’t know whether GMOs are good or bad, and neither do researchers. Though there hasn’t been any evidence claiming whether GMOs are good or bad, it has certainly not stopped the public from creating their own opinions. Since no one knows the truth behind GMO, it has opened a window of opportunities for companies including Monsanto to voice their support of GMO, while other companies like the Non-GMO Project voice their
GM foods are in the middle of many controversial issues; primarily these are addressed by conflicts over the relative pros and cons of GM foods. Major biotech companies like ‘Monsanto ' and ‘Cargill ' are promoting GM foods by focusing only on their beneficial aspects, giving least importance to their negative effects on safety, environment and biodiversity. On the other hand, governmental regulators and nongovernmental organizations, along with some scientists, are strictly opposing this type of blind promotion of GM food by enlightening the people on their negative effects The controversies associated with GM foods include issues such as safety, environmental benefits and risks, biodiversity, and ethical and social considerations.GM foods are implicated for adverse human health risks like people being allergic to it, environmental hazards such as development of super weeds, and pesticide and antibiotic resistance in disease causing organisms. On the other
Are you wearing a cotton shirt? What if I told you that cotton is genetically modified? There are many products that have been genetically modified for over 20 years, but there are a group of people that have just started worrying about it now. The definition of a GMO is to genetically modifying an organism to improve on the genetics already in the organism. Despite what people think GMO’s are safe for humans to eat and don't cause any human health risks.
In conclusion, GMOs and pesticides are harmful and alarming to producers and consumers. They cause animals pain and harm humans when consumed. Many animals live short and painful lives, while humans now must suffer with long term diseases or damage to their bodies. Although some argue that Genetically modified produce is benefiting producers and consumers, I still argue that genetically modified organisms harm animals and
For a while now, the food that we consume has been generated through a far more complicated process than we had ever thought. Genetically Modified Organisms is the process by which food is being altered and grown in ways that do not occur naturally. Farming practices have been altered from organic to majorly GMO, in order to accommodate this highly profitable industry as well as the high demand by the citizens. GMOs allow food to grow faster, act as a bug repellant, and also cause the product to grow bigger in size in a short time span. We have for the most part stopped relying on local farmers and organic product to know depending on what is most convenient to us. With grocery stores being so readily available with anything you could possibly think of, or ask for, it would be hard to pass this convenience up.
By genetically modifying traits in plants, biotechnology allows for higher food production in a wider array of places without the use of chemicals or limited resources. The increased crop availability results in economic profit, not only in the United States, but in developed and non-developed nations around the globe. A study to support this claim from Iowa State University shows that without GMO’s, global prices would be nearly 10% higher for soybeans and 6% higher for corn, two largely grown crops throughout the world. The net economic benefit for farmers in 2011 was $19.8 billion (PG Economics, 1996-2011). This results in an average rise in income of $329 per acre. For the entire 16-year period since the introduction of GMO’s, the increase in global
For thousands of years, humans have been genetically enhancing other organisms through the process of selective breeding. Polls indicate alarm over the contamination of everyday foods. Americans are especially concerned about Genetically Modified Organisms. So, are they good or not? According to NewsELA, PRO/CON: Is it time to label GMO foods? GMO foods? Andrew Pollackmay's "Genetically Engineered Crops are Safe, Analysis Finds", and Janet Renee's "Benefits you get from a GMO" they talk about the merits and the demerits of GMO crops. GMOs are plant or animal products that have been reengineered in a lab. Scientists use the DNA of bacteria,
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines genetically modified foods as: “foods [that are] derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism” (WHO, year). GM foods are constructed and distributed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer. For a GM food to be of theoretical benefit to the consumer and society as a whole, it should: increase crop yields due to the introduced resistance to pests and disease, enhance the nutritional
“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.” – Ursula K. Le Guin. No matter what good some people believe they are doing, everything seems to come with a consequence, and the question is whether or not the good overpowers the bad. Many experts argue that Genetically Modified foods are actually beneficial to, not only people, but animals, plants, and the world overall. Some experts even state that, not only are they beneficial, but that they also protect the environment and aid food productivity. Most farmers actually recommend GMO’s because they are easier to grow, maintain, and tend to be more profitable; however, countless other experts have come to realize that GMO foods are untested, unsafe, and unhealthy. Studies indicate that
In conclusion, there are many risks associated with this investigation and we have only highlighted a few
Controversy started in 1994, when the commercial sale of GMOs began. Dictionary.com states, “A GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found their” (Definition+of+gmo). As it may sound unethical to inject other genes into a perfectly normal plant, “As much as “70 percent” of food prepackaged in a normal grocery store contain genetically modified foods” (Negative Impacts on GM foods) stated Genetically Modified Foods.
I believe steps should be taken in order to lower the negative impact of the movement of people, food, and manufactured goods. One of the greatest impacts of such movements is the introduction and further spread of diseases. Some of those diseases include malaria, cholera, and AIDS. All of which have a powerful impact on the human body. I believe steps of precaution should be taken because individual's health is an important aspect of globalization. One possible step is the thorough sanitation of foods and goods. As more and more goods accumulate in size and count, it introduces more food-borne diseases that can be transmitted through individuals. Furthermore, the greater the accumulation of goods, the more it is likely of bugs to be moved along. Wanting to prevent the spread of diseases into third world countries is a key
A GMO is an organism whose genetic makeup is changed by humans. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have normally.
Genetically modified foods, otherwise known as GM foods, have been the source of enormous controversy for the past several decades. Both sides of the debate for and against GM foods bring empirical evidence to the table in an effort to disqualify the opposition, and it is clear that much is a stake for the companies and people involved. But what does this mean for the average consumer? When the politics are shunted aside, people still want to know if what they’re eating is safe, and good for (or at least neutral to) our environment. In this essay, I will attempt to shed light on these questions with hard facts and separate the political fictions from truth. To do so, I will first explain what
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.