So here’s a big question in today’s farming: Are GMOs actually bad for you? A GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. Most people automatically think that all GMOs are bad for you. It is alien to them and it has gotten a bad reputation. The fact is, there's not enough evidence that proves that GMOs will harm your health. Most people think that GMOs are just filled with bad, unhealthy chemicals. But what they don't realize is that all the chemicals found in genetically modified plants are actually all-natural. There are many plants in nature that use the same chemicals or compounds as GMOs. For an example, the foxglove plant has a deadly pollen. This defense mechanism works by protecting the planet when something tries to eat it. So you can see that even organic plants have the same abilities to protect themselves. The difference is that in GMOs, scientists have programed the plant to do this, not nature. It’s man’s way of using nature to our benefit (Fetters, 2014”). GMOs probably help us more that they can harm us. K. Aleisha Fetters, a Fox News journalist, stated that “GMO crops were created to be pest-resistant, or to survive herbicide use. …show more content…
So then, what does GMO stand for? As I said before, a GMO is a genetically modified organism. What does that mean? Well it’s really just simply a plant that has been modified to meet the need of whatever it was programed to do. There are no chemicals/compound added, and as I said before, all the chemicals found in genetically modified organism are all-natural, and you can also find the same chemicals in other natural plants. “Gene transfer technology is simply a sophisticated version of a cut-and-paste operations. Once the desired gene is identified in the native organism’s genome, it can be cut out, transferred to the target plant, and pasted into its genome (Genetically Modified Foods,
Agronomists have been working on these problems for years, but the rapid population growth of humans makes overcoming these challenges increasingly urgent. If we can’t feed the world, it will eventually feed on us.” (Newsweek/United Nations) Scientists find a way to add “medicine” to plant genes, which help it withstands pest attacks and drought problems.“Some GMO corn crops can protect harvests in water-limited conditions better than conventionally produced crops. Other GMOs can also promote use of no-till farming, which keeps more moisture in the soil. No-till also enables farmers to make fewer passes through the field using machinery, which means less fuel used and greenhouse gases emitted.”(Monsanto) GMOs are useful for helping with planting crops in any area of the world.
GMOs are taking over the food industry in America. They can cause environmental damage and health problems, and not enough is known about them. GMOs have been linked to cancer, and producers of GMOs in America are refusing to label what is done in the processing of GMOs. Because GMOs are harmful, we should not consume them, but instead take action to eliminate GMOs.
Now, some of you may be wondering, “What exactly are GMOs,” or “Why should I care about them?” GMOs stand for genetically modified, or engineered, organisms. Scientists GM foods by inserting genes from an unrelated species into another. The explanation given from scientists on why they do this is for the safety of our health. It is believed that genetically modifying foods are to 'strengthen,' or enhance the food product. However, rather than aid our health like it was
GMOs protect our food from containing diseases. According to this view, animals can be engineered to require less food and grow at a faster rate. They claim that animals are also more resistant to harmful diseases that could contaminate our food. Animals are also engineered to reproduce much faster. They state GMOs can also engineer animals so that their tissues, organs, and cells can be transplanted into humans. Despite the negative contributions of pesticides, some tend to also conclude that having pesticides in our produce is an advantage. Pesticides are used to repel, kill or control animals, so why are they being used in our food? According to the EPA, pesticides are the only effective way to control disease organisms. They also help increase the amount of food in each area of land. Pesticides protect our health also by disinfecting things such as our drinking water. However, they fail to realize that GMOs and pesticides are negatively affecting animals and humans.
GMOs are awful for your well being, are very harmful to the environment and the animals that live in the wild, and they are harmful to the future of society. While some may say that GMOs are helping the earth by fixing world hunger this is not true, GMOs are doing more harm than good in our society. Imagine what will happen if we continue to eat these foods without knowing it, they will continue to harm our body and the earth in the future. The real question is, will there be a
GMO’s or Genetically Modified Food is one of the most controversial topics that have been studied and debated for over 40 years. Scientists on both sides of the spectrum claim that these modified foods are safe for consumption, but also some argue that these foods are toxic and very harmful to human life. GMO’s are genetically modified organisms that are created and added in a lab experiment where DNA are extracted from one gene and added to another plant or animal. This allows the genes to mix with the DNA to create a desired product. For example, bigger apples, larger oranges, taller animals, and plants that can survive the changing climate. GMOs are different from organic food and products because chemicals and DNA modification is not needed for these natural stuff.
A GMO is created when DNA from one organism is combined with another organism’s DNA to make one molecule. Scientists do this by cutting and joining DNA from different sources. This forms a new set of genes. They then transfer it into the organism so it has the modified genes. (http://www.i-sis.org.uk/FAQ.php, 11/30/09) With genetic engineering they can make bigger and more nutritious fruit and vegetables. Human embryos can be
Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.
These improvements are possible due to the genetic modifications done to the crops, by inserting genes and toxins from other plants and organisms some crops are now resistant to plagues without the need of pesticides. Of course, some will probably disagree on the grounds that toxins in the food we eat isn’t much healthy, but as researches have shown there is no evidence to prove that these toxins are a hazard to humans. The president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Pamela Bailey states that “In fact, there has never been a single credible scientific study showing GMOs to have harmful effects on humans, animals, or our environment” (Bailey). In other words, there has been quite a few scientific researches but so far there hasn’t been any concrete evidence showing that GMOs are any hazard to humans, animals, or the environment. Therefore, until the day that GMOs are presented to us as a potential hazard I don’t see why we should stop using them if all they’ve done is improve the production of crops and help underfed countries
Our world is full of complications, situations that need people’s attention. Scientists are attempting to find answers for most of the world’s difficulties. Nevertheless, a solution for one problem creates some other obstacle. It becomes impossible to create a solution that does not have side effects. One of the difficult situations in this world is hunger and poverty. Many people lack enough food to live a healthy life, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. In order to provide sufficient food and maintain food security, scientists discovered genetically altered foods. Genetically engineered foods are grown from plants or animals whose genes are modified by inserting new genes that can increase the plant’s and animal’s resistance to diseases and worms. By doing so, researchers improve crop yield and animal products. In addition to increasing the amount of food produced, scientists enhance the nutritive content of crops by using biotechnology, which results in reducing malnutrition. Furthermore, some investigators claim the environmental importance of
Many people are worried about the impact GMOs(Genetically Engineered Organisms) could have on the environment. That’s a reasonable concern. Are GMOs increasing the profits of farmers and biotechnology companies at the expense of the environment? Contrary to popular belief there is no scientific evidence to support the fact that GMOs have a negative effect on the environment. Conversely there is an abundance of information to show that GMOs can help solve many environmental issues and help farmers use their land more efficiently.
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, which is the process of extracting genes from one species into another unrelated species. The process of transferring DNA from two distinct species is through genetic engineering. This displays the new traits of the first donor, which will be part of the genetic make up of the recipient organism. GMO is different from cross breeding or hybridization. Scientists developed GM plants by introducing genes that kill insects and protect crops against viruses. Many of these GM plants require less water so that they are able to grow in areas where water is scarce. The benefit of GMOs help crops grows and ripens faster so that farmers are able to grow more crops throughout the year. On the other hand, GMOs may be harmful to humans if they are not washed and cleaned properly before eating. GMOs include high risk of allergens, toxins, and other unknown side effects that are harmful.
GMOs have many benefits but also have a few negative impacts. Modified organisms can pose allergy risks. When the organism is enhanced, protein is often combined and because it was not in the original organism it can cause allergic reactions (3). Introducing plants and organisms to an ecosystem that they do not occur naturally could damage that environment. Placing modified organisms into the new environment could have bad effects on the current species due to cross breeding and cross pollination. Producing plants that are resistant to bacteria could make the bacteria stronger and harder to kill. Making plants herbicide resistant may lead to weeds also becoming herbicide resistant. Genetically modified organisms haven’t been out very long so there is not yet any long-term research on the effect.(1)
GMOs are portrayed in television and news as the savior of humanity, the revolutionary idea that will feed our hungry and make us stronger as a species but is that truly the case? Could the thing designed to help be harmful in the long term? The society of today encourages a blissful ignorance regarding where and how the food they get is made. In the United States, the majority of animals raised are treated with hormones and
Much of the public concern surrounding the safety of GMOs stems from the process of actually creating them. This is admittedly not a natural process, which is a surefire way to raise critic’s eyebrows in doubting their safety. However, there is no evidence that supports these myths. The Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops, The National Academy of Science, and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Recourses all agree after extensive testing and observation that there is no additional harm in the consumption of GMO food. The research conducted in animal studies, as well as chemical analysis of the crops, show no indication that GMOs are negatively affecting human health. The next allegation hurled at GMOs is that they may have