Genetic Modifications

“Sixty to seventy percent of all processed foods available on store shelves contain genetically modified ingredients”, according to George Erdosh and Marcia Amidon Lusted in “To GMO or not to GMO? Genetically engineered food has strong advocates and harsh critics.” Genetically modified organisms can be found in most conventional foods processed in the United States, and genetic modification of crops is extremely common on classic Minnesota farms. Crops such as corn and soybeans or even papaya and zucchini are viable for genetic modification. In fact, the definition of (GMO) as reported by Alex K. Rich and Tom Warhol, authors of “Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview,” is, “food in which, at some point during the production process molecules and proteins are chemically altered to give the food more nutrients, a better appearance, and a longer shelf life.” As a matter of fact, a majority of all the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. However, many people do not know what genetic modification really is, or that the idea has been around for many years. GMOs are used to control pests and weeds. Therefore, through changing the genetic makeup of the plant, modifications allow for advancements of new technologies that account for the applicability of specific chemicals, as opposed to dated Non-GMO farming techniques.

In 2015, Tim Anderson, a PhD researcher, wrote “GMO Foods are Unsafe”, an article which perhaps sheds light on the mishandling of genetically modified foods, including the lack of testing of said food products, as well as the potential hazards posed to humans and the environment. In the same year, Genetic Literacy Project’s web editor, JoAnna Wendel, wrote a contrasting article “Genetically Modified Foods Have Been Studied and Found Safe to Eat”, and voices her disgust over the false information that constantly belittle GMOs. She believes the allegation that little evaluation has been accomplished to monitor and ensure the safety of these genetic modifications is based on frantic opinions and not accurate facts. Although their positions appear to utterly oppose one

She discusses how the altered crops can wipe out the native organic species but she failed to discuss the counter intuitive results of doing so. While GMOs are more resilient to current threats to their species, by eliminating the species diversity they drive themselves to their own destruction. Once the predatory insects, fungi, diseases, and animals only have the GMOs to feed on they become more specialized and eventually overcome the plants defenses and without the ability to diversify their genes and adapt they have no means of protecting themselves. Again, I find her argument to less than compelling in this argument.

Imagine if one day, humans were modified to be better people. Well that day is almost here, because scientists have already attempted to genetically modifying humans in China (OI). Although humans have the chance to be modified to be better, is that really a good thing? Genetically modifying humans is not a good idea. For example one of the modifications is to help people not feel pain, but it can also keep them unaware of harm (Doc. 2). Furthermore genetic modifications on humans is not good and shouldn't be allowed.

Contrary to what some may believe, there are advantages and progression when it comes to food biotechnology and the genetically modified foods being produced by farmers today. GMO crops allow farmers less toxic pesticides on their fields. In the article Playing God in the Garden, the author discusses his experience of meeting a potato farmer. With further discussion the farmer Danny Forsyth explains how he cannot go out to his field until four or five days after its been sprayed because the toxic chemical including an organophosphate called monitor is a deadly chemical that has been found to cause neurological damage. With the New Leaf Plus which is protected from leafroll virus as well as beetles, he is able to skip a few sprayings at a time

The idea of changing natural processes to produce an “ideal” crop raises concern amongst environmentalists. Extracting bacteria from soil and inserting it into an entirely different species may appear unethical because of the changing of natural processes. Genetic engineering promotes producing a type of crop that is not susceptible to pests, but carries the risk of decreasing genetic variation (Green Peace). Once a crop is perfected, farmers then mass produce that specific crop, and the different variations of the crop are lost (Green Peace). Another concern regarding the use of the Bt protein is the increased risk of allergies (Smith). The transgenic protein comes from bacteria in the soil, and thus raises the concern of allergic reactions to the corn. Consumers are worried that the cry protein injected into Bt corn could have allergies unknown to them because of the cry protein’s characteristic of an extended digestion time. Consumers are also skeptical that genes of this antibiotic resistance could somehow be introduced to other bacteria in the soil, and possibly infect consumers with this bacteria. A major ethical concern of genetically modified crops, specifically Bt corn, is the lack of knowledge of the long term effects these crops have on humans and other organisms. Consumers are uninformed about the

Plant biologist Jonathan R. Latham believes that genetically modified organisms should have never left the lab because it's bringing concerns to him and the public of its potential risks. He mentions may concern or risk, one concern that he brings up is plants that contain their own insecticides. Which will include crops like “maize, cotton and soybeans” (Latham. Par. 9), which are called Bt plants. Bt plants are bug-fighting plants that were spread by moving some genes “from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis” (Latham. Par. 9). The people who make Bt believe that its toxins are inserted specific and safe, but there's a reason why people are doubtful about the safety and specificity. Another concern that the public has is insecticides,

Not only are GMOs harmful to humans they affect many other communities. “GMOs are also responsible for killing off bees, bats, butterflies, and other pollinators, whose bodies are unable to handle the onslaught of altered DNA and chemicals that are characteristic of GMO technologies”(Bensen). This shows that GMO is not only an issue for humans but it directly affects the insect and animals communities around the plants. These are living organisms that these plants need for pollination. GMOs and the pesticides used on these crops to fight off the insects and weeds is creating more powerful weeds and insects called “SuperWeeds” and “SuperBugs.” “And this built-in resistance has allowed farmers to indiscriminately spray chemicals like Roundup on their crops without worrying about killing them. But this system is now failing, as the weeds and pests targeted by GMO technologies have mutated and developed resistance to crop chemicals and Bt toxin” (Benson). These chemicals are effective for a short period of time However these chemicals become ineffective, the offspring of the insects can be immune to the chemical. This creates a need for a new and stronger chemical mix. GMO seeds and destroy the soil and kill beneficial

Altering genetic makeup seems like the impossible. However, several scientists globally have spent years trying to perfect just that. Choosing your child's hair colour, eye colour or even IQ seems like something from a fairytale; creating your dream child. Some say this is a simple process; selecting the gene and altering it to perfection. What many don't know is it is the complete opposite. Genes are often multi purposed, they contain multiple sets of crucial genetic information. By modifying a gene to change one thing can easily have a negative effect on another. For example, a person’s height is determined by the genes that affect growth, appetite and muscle mass”, that being said, if that gene were genetically modified to create the “perfect”

Bt is a soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide which is naturally found in the gut of caterpillars (GMO Food Safety 1). Today GM plants are now made with other plants instead. A newer method, referred to as "transgenomics", does not involve DNA marking or insertions. Basically it is cross-breeding plants of the same species. Scientists believe certain traits are created not only by a particular gene, but by the way groups of genes interact with each other (Om Organics). The most beneficial aspect of transgenic technology is now also being used to remove the allergens such as from peanuts, one of most serious causes of food allergy. So why are is there a huge argument against GM crops if they are helping society? In my opinion, GM crops do more help than harm because positive results are found in the economy, human health, and the environment due to new improving advancements in research.

The power of modifying genetics is at our fingertips, allowing us to change the genes of living creatures, which of course includes humans. The concern is; what genes should be modified, and which genes should be left alone. A company called 23andMe, named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a human cell, will provide ancestry genetic reports and uninterpreted raw genetic data using only a kit. Created in 2006, out of Mountain View, California, the company specializes in three different products or kits, an ancestry edition, a health edition, and a complete edition. Sadly, due to FDA regulations and complications, 23andMe has had to sideline the interpretation of their health-based products in the United States. Currently, 23andMe mainly

Most public concern has been focused on human health and safety regarding the use and consumption of these foods, but potential environmental impacts are important to consider as well. Many varieties of genetically engineered crops are intended to decrease the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, but the scope of environmental impacts does not stop at chemical usage. Common concerns about GM crops include the effects of cross-pollination, so-called “genetic contamination,” and the escape of GM crops from cultivation and their interactions with native species. Conversely, the environmental benefits of GM crops range from reducing dependence on chemical pesticides to the ability to treat polluted soils with bioremediating plants (Ford, 2004).

In the other hand GM critics worry that transgenic crops could harm wildlife and cause lasting damage to fragile food chains. What will happen if GM farming practices wipe out weedy plants that some bird’s species rely on for survival? Or if insects that are important

Along with the possibility of GMO crops spreading and taking over other strains of the crop GMO 's can also affect different species of insects in the area potentially destroying the

One industry that plays a vital role in our society is the agricultural industry. The agricultural industry is responsible for the growth of all our valuable crops such as cotton, corn, fruits, other vegetables etc. These crops are planted and then gathered to be sold to consumers. These primary resources are important to our daily lives because they are valuable sources of food and clothing, which are highly needed for our survival in life. Over time, it has been discovered that genetic engineering in plants can be an alternative way to “alter a plant’s genetic makeup” (Nutrition & Weight Control for Longevity, 2005). Why would we want to alter a plant’s genetic makeup? Well, the main reason is to “produce a desired characteristic or weed out an undesirable one” of a plant (Nutrition & Weight Control for Longevity, 2005). Approximately “75% of processed foods contain at least some genetically engineered ingredients” (Nutrition & Weight Control for Longevity, 2005). In the United States, soy beans, cotton and corn are among the many crops that are genetically modified to “resist common herbicides” (Nutrition &