Essay : Should We Be Afraid Of Gmos?

One of the great things about GMOs is they’re more economical. They can reduce the cost of certain foods, farmers use less pesticides, and farmers get more out of the land while still conserving it. Genetically modified crops are already resistant to

There are two types of GMO; herbicide tolerant and self-generating insecticide. “The herbicide tolerant variety are designed to survive high doses of toxic weed killers” (Must-Avoid Foods: Linking GMO to Toxicity and Disease, 2012). When the toxic weed killers get used on these crops, some of the toxins end up in the weed in the food. What is alarming is that the toxic weed killers are actually linked to birth defects, cancer, and hormone disruption (Must-Avoid Foods: Linking GMO to Toxicity and Disease, 2012). The self-generating insecticide such as corn, produces their own insecticide in each and every cell (Swanson, Genetically Modified Organisms and the deterioration of health in the United States, 2013). When insects eats the corn or any other food with the insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) toxin, the insecticide breaks open the stomach of insects in order to kill them. Although this supposedly applies only to insects, studies have shown that the BT-toxin can also break the wall of

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 there. Behind this loaded definition hides many secrets and a lot of pernicious lies unforeseen by the general public. The deleterious ramifications and the spine-chilling potential power caused by GMOs is something worth taking a look at. There is an abundance of serious consequences our generation and our future generations hold because of GMOs, and if we do not take action soon we may run out of time.

If you think that’s all gmos are capable of then you haven’t seen anything yet. For farmers, pesticides and insects can be real troublesome. Scientists have found a way to make crops resistant to pesticides. You read that right crops that are resistant to pesticides. Even though all crops are resistant yet cotton, soybean, rapeseed, and maize are.

GMO’s have a long history. A debate about how safe GMO’s are and how much consideration went into the determination of the short and long-term effects both for us as humans and the environment that we live have been questioned for years. GMO’s or genetically modified organisms, is when an organisms DNA is manipulated through genetic engineering. Whether it be to cross breed plants or to produce larger, better crops and it has been happening for

GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) have also been created to be resistant to insects allowing them to fend off insects and their harmful consumption of the crops. Other potential uses for GM is to eradicate and prevent birth defects, increase animal size for more meat, for consumption, anti-fungi fruits, altered colours for flowers and using GM for the use of providing organ transplants for humans.

GMOs have many benefits to society. GMOs have been engineered for resistance to insects, tolerance to herbicides, tolerance to heat, cold, or drought, and also to increase nutrients. According to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more food can be grow on less land with the help of genetically modified crops. If that statement is true, that would mean that farmers could produce crops faster and in a larger quantity; therefore, creating a larger income source for the farmer and making a more sustainable source of food for the world. It would also mean that less crops would be lost to weather catastrophes; whereas, with organic, the crops would be more reliant on the uncertainness of the

You might know what GMOs are or at least you have heard about it, but for them, who do not know what GMOs are, Genetically Modified Organisms also known as (GMO), are those whose DNA is modified by implantation of a variety of bacteria or other organisms. Those changes are made not only to prevent pests attacking crops but also to make them grow fast among other alterations. It is well known that GMOs has been a polemical issue since its appearance, for many people it could be beneficial as it could help to feed the world, for others, consuming GMOs could become in a big risk since any process that threatens Mother Nature creates chaos.

Generating more supply is one of the main benefits of genetically modified food. A well-known advantage of GM crops is their ability to produce higher yields than ever before (The 1). According to studies done at UC Santa Cruz, greater yields help farmers use their land efficiently, with minor use of pesticides (Benefits 1). Plants that are modified produce more crops with the same amount of land as non-GM plants, benefitting farmers. In fact, developments in agriculture and upcoming of GM crops have increased produce, and decreased the cost of production (Statement 1). If GM products are allegedly safe, why not produce more and save money? According to Stacy Finz, student at UC Berkley, genetically modified corn has produced 34% more than conventionally grown crops in the Phillipines (Finz 1). This benefits agricultural companies and consumers by generating

Although the job of a farmer is said to become easier and in the long run increase the amount of people purchasing their crops, it can eventually take a negative turn once more and more of the population becomes informed on the use of genetic modification. Once consumers have become aware of the possible health issues or negative aspects to these GM crops, they may refrain from purchasing crops that are GM, leaving farmers with a much more difficult job. If the population becomes further aware of the issue, it can already be too late for farmers as their soil has been contaminated and seeds have been purchased leaving them without a consumer which means a loss of income,sales and employment. The difference in these views on the issue is the main reason why certain farmers are skeptical on the use of GMO’s. Once more laws are passed over time, there is an increasing risk for every farmer currently involved in the production of these

Genetically modified crops have shorter maturation periods, meaning they can be harvested much faster and in shorter intervals. Therefore farmers can produce more crops in shorter time frames and increase their profitability

On the contrary, opposing views state that due to the patenting of GM crops, prices of seeds will rise which raises ethical concerns. Due to the high price of the technology, not all farmers will be able to access genetically modified seeds due to their financial status. Large companies patent their GM seeds, causing the price of seeds to raise to a point where it is unaffordable for small farmers and third world countries (Akumo, D.N et. al, 2013). This is considered unethical because only the wealthy will be able to access these GM crop varieties.

Insects can transport pesticides, herbicides, and DNA through the air into the environment. Once a plant is introduced in a agricultural environment, it is reasonable to assume it will become part of a larger ecosystem, meaning the problem of environmental damage done by GMO's is much larger than simply potentially harming our health. Genetically modified plants effect it’s surrounding organisms which will later lead to genetically modified contamination in the whole area that will have an negative impact on the

Some of the advantages of GM foods are that they are better for the environment. GMOs are adapted in such a way that many plants don’t require pesticides or other chemicals that impact on the earth. GMOs increase the flavour and longevity of the fruit. Another advantage which is probably in the best interest of society is that fact that it often decreases price of products and often becomes more affordable. Although research and testing is not cheap, once it is on the market the prices of your normal GM foods are substantially more affordable. With all the advantages comes the counter, disadvantage. GM foods often cause cross contamination where pollen from genetically modified foods are also contaminated. When GMOs are around other plants often the pollen can drift over to the wrong plants and create plants that have resistance to the conditions that were meant for the crops to be resistant to. Essentially GMOs potentially have the

Genetic modification (GM) is the use of modern biotechnology techniques to change the genes of an organism, such as a plant or animal. GMO’s are developed by identifying the desired trait (such as disease resistance) in nature. The gene for the trait is then transferred into the plant seed, the plant is tested to ensure that it is safe for people, animals, and the environment and then after years of testing and approvals from governments the seed are made available to farmers. Genes can come from other plants, animals, bacteria and viruses.