Genetic Engineering : The Science Of Replacing Natural Essay

In the essay “Genetically Modified Food: Watching What We Eat,” by Julie Cooper, she argues against the rampant use of genetically modified food (GMO) without any current form of regulation. Cooper discusses the possibility of health risks to those consuming foods with altered genes and the food’s capabilities to have far-reaching health risks. She continues with a discussion as to how and why the creation and use of the GMOs have become so unregulated. She then discusses the response, which is the public’s cry for their right to make informed choices. Other topics discusses are the political, environmental, and corporate ramifications of the rise of GMOs.

Genetically modified foods are produced from organisms that have gone through a process that introduces specific changes to its DNA using genetic engineering. This process allows companies to choose specify traits a crop will display. On the surface this process seems like a technological breakthrough, and it is, however, the topic of genetically modified foods (GMOs) is very complex. There are many aspects of this process we must consider when deciding if GMOs should continue to be sold. Due to many human health, environmental, and economical concerns the sale of all genetically modified foods should be banned.

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.

Imagine going to the grocery store and seeing a seedless watermelon, but it is not the typical oval, it is square. Down the produce aisle, there are sweet, juicy strawberries; however, there is a warning label that says, “Do not consume if you have a nut allergy.” The world today is moving forward in the way that society produces our wholefoods. Genetic engineering, bioengineering, or biotechnology is the process of inserting the genetics of different plants and organisms into other plants or organisms to create new, more efficient DNA. However, is it truly beneficial to modify the world’s natural foods? The use of genetic engineering can disrupt the ecosystems that have taken billions of years to develop. Many years of research and work have gone into the subject of genetically modified foods; however, this new food trend could create or enhance food related illnesses and health problems, interfere with nature’s environs, and could even cause specific ethical problems for individuals that practice different faith. People should be aware of genetic engineering, how it works, and how it affects their lives.

There are varied arguments that favor or are against compulsory labeling of genetically engineered food products. Those who argue for the labeling of such products argue that consumers have a right to know what is contained in their food, particularly food products for which there have been health and environmental concerns (Caswell 26). Compulsory labeling will permit consumers to identify and avoid those food products that may cause them problems. On the contrary, those who argue against mandatory labeling point out that

Imagine eating at a dining establishment and being asked if the ordered main course would preferably be prepared baked, fried, or genetically engineered. Though odd, this question is coming sooner than later. Even though genetic engineering has been around for a long time, due to its increased advances, no longer is it an ignored issue. In fact, it is causing quite a controversy. Some feel, genetic engineering is a scientist 's way of "playing God," creating elements and bodies that were not intended to be on Earth. Possibly, there is some truth to this belief; however, others disagree and see the "act of creating" most beneficial to both science and the economy. Both sides have great claims to their arguments, but after researching

Ever since their entrance onto the consumer market in the last two decades of the twentieth century, genetically modified organisms (often referred to as GMOs) have been getting mixed reviews from the public. Genetically modified consumer products (primarily food) have pushed the barriers of some people's comfort levels. Born out of either a lack of knowledge or a sincere concern for public health or the environment, a consumer rights movement has been planted around the world pushing for labeling of genetically modified food products. This movement has matured in many places to a degree where interest groups have successfully lobbied governments into adopting criteria for labeling transgenic food

It is incredible to see how far genetic engineering has come. Humans, plants, and any living organism can now be manipulated. Scientists have found ways to change humans before they are even born. They can remove, add, or alter genes in the human genome. Making things possible that humans (even thirty years ago) would have never imagined. Richard Hayes claims in SuperSize Your Child? that genetic engineering needs to have limitations. That genetic engineering should be used for medical purposes, but not for “genetic modification that could open the door to high-tech eugenic engineering” (188). There is no doubt that genetic engineering can amount to great things, but without limits it could lead the human race into a future that no one

By the year 2012, over 70 percent of the processed foods in the U.S can be linked to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Despite this strong dependency on the manipulation of genetic material, there are many questions concerning long-lasting impacts such food could bring. The government of the United States of America should enforce stricter restrictions on the consumption, production, and availability of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Genetically engineered foods have detrimental impacts on the environment, are linked to large, monopolizing industries, and do not reduce world hunger.

The topic of Genetically modified organisms is highly disputed. Genetically modified organisms, GMOs for short, are organisms that have had their genetic material altered or modified in an unnatural way (Nowicki, S.,2012). There are various organisms that are modified in the world today, such as, plants, animals, and microorganisms. There are numerous individuals and companies, such as, Whole Foods that see genetically modifying organisms as unethical, deceitful, and believe that everyone is entitled to know whether or not to ingest genetically modified organisms (The Non-GMO Project, n.d.). In contrast, there are various individuals/organizations, such as, The American Medical Association that see genetically modifying organisms as

We have been participating in a mass scale biotech agricultural experiment for over twenty years. Since the mid-1990s the U.S population has been consuming Genetically Engineered (GE) foods or foods that contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) without having done enough research to assess its long time effects on humans. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), agency responsible for protecting the public’s health and safety, “genetic engineering is the name given to certain methods that scientists use to introduce new traits or characteristics to organisms.” In other words, scientists modify the structure of plants or animals by removing some of their DNA material; or by inserting that

A whooping 60% of what's on our supermarket shelves may contain genetically engineered soya. Some 3000 genetically engineered foods are lined up for approval. How should genetically engineered (GE) foods be regulated? Foremost, we must clarify what genetic engineering is-- laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms. DNA is the blueprint for the individuality of an organism. The organism relies upon the information stored in its DNA for the management of every biochemical process. The life, growth and unique features of the organism depend on its DNA. Genes are the segments of DNA, which have been associated with certain functions of an organism.

Genetic modified organisms (GMO) have been around for years this method is used to supply more food. Farmers have adapted the method of GM technology to increase the production. The regulation of genetic engineering concerns the approaches taken by the government’s access to manage the risks that such organisms can have on a person’s health. Many may concern about their health and the increasing usage of additives in their food. The federal government should make the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label GM food so that the consumers can be aware of what they are consuming.

Most of the promises made by these corporations are promises of luxury, not necessity, and carry an inherently and dangerous risk. As science continues to understand further the basic element of life, DNA, the danger involved genetically modifying organisms becomes apparent. The beneficial potential genetic engineering brings are attractive, but paradoxically it also brings disastrous potential at a greater degree. The qualities brought forth by these GM foods are not necessary for our survival and only brings forth dangerous consequences to our health, environment, and economy. In order to

Imagine if you were to see a young, newlywed couple sitting down on their sofa and flicking through a catalogue, browsing at the variety of different options available. They are daydreaming about all these different options that could potentially be a part of their future. Is this catalogue for houses? Or the latest and greatest furniture? No, this catalogue contains all the traits possibly available, phenotype and genotype that this couple wants their baby to have. This includes the gender, physical appearance, personality traits and talents that they want their baby to have. This catalogue is basically a way for parents to design their own babies by picking and choosing the traits that they want the baby to have and not have. Imagining this doesn’t seem realistic in this day and age, but this is what our world is heading towards due to enhancements in scientific knowledge, technology, equipment and experimentation. This enables these scientists to undergo the delicate process used to enhance the characteristics of the individual. This process is known as genetic engineering. The aim of genetic engineering is to add new genes that have not been found in the individual. This could involve changing a base pair A-T or C-G in the DNA. In order to do this, scientists need to alter an existing gene in an organism 's genome to make it express at a higher level. The genome is the full set of DNA, including all of the genes that the organism originally has. Each genome contains