Essay about Genetically Engineered Crops

Genetically modified crops; what are they? Crops that have been scientifically altered, to create a better species. Though crops can sometimes breed through cross-breeding, with genetically modified crops this is not the case. These crops have had pieces of DNA inserted into them to create a superior race. The reason we produce these superior species of crops are because they are often stronger, resistant to herbicides, quicker growing, and therefore cheaper to produce. That way, the community as well as the farmers benefit from the genetically modified crops. The way these GM crops are created is through the fusing of a plasmid and a new gene. This is done through extracting cells or bacteria from an already strong plant, placing them in

The concept of intentionally altering an organism’s DNA in order to produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been critically analyzed by both science and the mainstream media in the last decade. However, the genetic modification of organisms is not a recent innovation as humans have been modifying organisms for over 30 000 years (Rangel, 2015). Back then, breeding through artificial selection was the most prominent method of genetic engineering. Organisms with the most desirable traits would be bred together in order to create a new generation of superior organisms. Throughout the centuries, the developments in science and technology have resulted in new methods of genetic engineering. Now, genomes can be spliced in order to insert or remove genes. It has essentially come down to a copy and paste process with genes from animals being inserted into plants as the common practice.

Modifying plants is not a new concept. "For centuries, gardeners and farmers have been crossbreeding different species of

Genetically modified crops are harmful to humans and the environment and shouldn't be used. Agriculture should proceed in harmony with nature and nature only. That is why some people have decided to buy organically grown food. From their experiences with organic food, they believe that the organic system can be economically practical. This system also provides a wide range of environmental and social benefits, and most importantly, it enables consumers to make a choice about the food they eat. According to Diana Brander, an American biology teacher, we should have the choice of the type of food we eat.

Would you trust a person that was created in a laboratory? When you eat gmos you are putting your future health in the hands of companies that may only in it for the money. Gmos (genetically modified organism) are living organisms that have genes that have been changed in a laboratory by genetic engineering (nongmoproject). This science makes unstable combinations of plant, animals, bacteria, and viral genes. They are made by taking a organism say a plant then adding DNA from a different plant, bacteria, or virus to it. Giving the original new qualities that it would not be able to have in nature or through crossbreeding methods(webMD). There are eight crops that are genetically modified on a commercial scale in the U.S. These include: Corn, canola, soy, cotton, sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya, zucchini and yellow summer squash. In the United States, 80% of everyday processed foods contain some sort of gmo. (Gmo project) They are important today because millions of people eat gmos everyday; however the long term effects on people are still unknown. Major restaurants such as Chipotle have already stopped using genetically modified ingredients in their food. They stopped using gmos because they believe their customers should have a restaurant where they can eat fresh, natural food, and should not have to take a health risk to eat their favorite foods(Chipotle). The other side of the fence is that gmos give us the ability to make

Genetically Modified Organisms. Sounds familiar, right? GMOs have become a controversial issue all around the world. What are GMOs exactly? GMOS are special organisms with artificially altered genetic makeup produced in a lab from the splicing of specific genes from another organism. Even its’ description seems overwhelming. What’s worse is the fact that there’s seldom any warning labels for GMOs on products. It isn’t very helpful that the United States does not require GMOs to be labeled on store-bought foods. Most of the time, people are oblivious to the foods they consume and how those foods are a detriment to their health. All the same, I am also a part of the oblivion. I, too have consumed modified foods without any knowledge of its

For the last several decades, the world has been plagued by widespread starvation and poverty. Economies are failing in numerous countries, and developing nations struggle to feed their inhabitants. As a result of the world’s mounting overpopulation, food has become scarce and resources are rapidly dwindling. However, modern science has provided a solution: agricultural biotechnology. Genetically engineered crops represent the bright future of agriculture. Crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans can have genes inserted or deleted into their cell membranes; this modification facilitates pest and virus resistance, drought tolerance, and even provides nutritional enhancement. Genetically altered crops produce much higher

A Nebraska University study suggested that it takes time to modify a plant, and while this is being done, better conventional crops are being developed.(Fox)

Monsanto is a multinational world leader in the production of the herbicide glyphosate and in the manipulation of genetically modified (GM) seeds. They were a chemical company, which shifted into the new life science area developing numerous patents related to genetic techniques and GM seeds variety. The company entered in the agrobiochemical industry, which is in its growth life cycle based on continuous product improvements and replacement by superior traits. The industry is focused on chemical products used in agriculture and genetically modified crops.

Michael Specter, a journalist of The New Yorker, stated, “All the food we eat – every grain of rice and kernel of corn – has been genetically modified. None of it was here before mankind learned to cultivate crops.” Genetic modification occurs when genetic material from one organism is implemented into the genome of the other in order to gain desired effects. Genetic modification has been implemented since the 19th century and has been used in pharmaceutical products as well as food products. In the United States, 89% of corn, 94% of soybeans, and 91% of cotton planted each year are genetically modified (“Eliminating GMOs Would …” par. 10). Advanced research and wider availability of GM crops has led to recent debates in regards to safety. Genetically modified crops, which can improve the current status of world hunger and can better the environment, are a safe answer for the future as current bans on

Thank you, for the post and I also thought this reading this week where really informative as well as eye-opening for me. You raised some very good questions in about foods in America verses foods in other countries. I too have also wondered why foods last so long. It also made me think about food waste in this country. From the video this week I was really surprised that we as a country waste so much food, and yet there is starvation in the world. When it comes to whether GM foods are good for us and if there are health issues that come with eating those foods. In a research article I found about GM foods “We now have a large set of data, both experimental and observational, showing that genetically modified food is safe and nutritionally

For thousands of years, humans have transformed their surroundings and neighboring organisms to suit their needs. The transformation first took place when humans spread seeds onto the earth to grow their own food, and continued when humans reached out to provide food and shelter to other animals in exchange for labor, companionship and sustenance. When early agriculture proved successful, the best and strongest animals and crops were chosen for the next generation. This was the dawn of genetic modification, and it is as old as agriculture itself.

Many people today are often amazed by the amount of nutrition and health information required for humans. The constant stream of genetic modification of food can be confusing. Genetically modified (GM) foods are plants and animals that have had their genetic makeup artificially altered by scientists to make them grow faster, taste better, last longer and to provide more nutrients. Scientists make these alternations by transferring genes from one organism into another in order to change the condition or character of the receiving organism. This process is known as biotechnology or genetic engineering (GE), and it has revolutionized the way that agriculture is practiced in many parts of the world. Researchers are now able to use GE

With an ever-growing population and the problems of world hunger, there has been a high demand for an increased food supply and a better food supply. Technology has been called upon to meet this challenge. The advent of genetically engineered foods, sometimes called transgenic crops or genetically modified foods, is not a new concept, but the controversy over it is. Can these "frankenfoods" be harmful to humans? What are their effects on the environment? The following paper will focus on such questions as well as providing a better understanding of what genetically modified foods are and how they should be regulated.

Are Genetically Modified (GM) crops safe for environment? Might organisms and environment be harmed by GM crops?