Genetically Engineered Food Argumentative Essay

Over the years there has been a rapid increase of foods that are genetically modified being sold to us throughout the U.S. Genetically modified foods contain organisms that have had DNA from a non-related species transferred into their genes via biotechnology to permeate them with specific traits. And doing so these foods should not be sold. Crops that are genetically modified such as corn, soybeans, and tomatoes are toxic for the environment. Also, the health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown. And, genetic engineering creates dangerous side effects.

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.

People nourish themselves by consuming three meals each day. Eating is essential for survival, but what is actually in food we eat? Many are oblivious to that. People should be very informed to what is actually going into their gastrointestinal system because it significantly impacts their health, and it can between life or death. Gone are the days when people saw every step of how their food was manufactured until it got onto their table to eat. With increased human population on Earth, consequently, mass production is ubiquitous. The commonality of mass production, has led to genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods are foods that have been genetically engineered to produce effects that make them more desirable. It is also worth noting, that GMOs are not on food labeled when sold to the public. Many people are unaware of genetically modified foods as they have significant negative effects on humans in conjunction and the environment.

“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.” – Ursula K. Le Guin. No matter what good some people believe they are doing, everything seems to come with a consequence, and the question is whether or not the good overpowers the bad. Many experts argue that Genetically Modified foods are actually beneficial to, not only people, but animals, plants, and the world overall. Some experts even state that, not only are they beneficial, but that they also protect the environment and aid food productivity. Most farmers actually recommend GMO’s because they are easier to grow, maintain, and tend to be more profitable; however, countless other experts have come to realize that GMO foods are untested, unsafe, and unhealthy. Studies indicate that

One of my favorite episodes of the television show, "The Simpsons", begins with Marge, the mother, serving her family a dinner of unusually large, genetically modified foods. Shortly after dinner is served, one of the potatoes eats a carrot. Although this example is comedic hyperbole, it is still an excellent illustration of the public perception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as dangerous "Frankenfoods". This perception is out of touch with the reality of GMOs and runs contrary to a large body of scientific evidence that indicates that GMOs are safe for people and our environment.

Many people feel that genetically modified organisms are unsafe, untested and therefore not something they want in their food or environment. I feel that without the proper studies and research we are putting ourselves in the hands of large corporations that have more of an interest in making money than offering a safe product. I feel it is important to make an informed decision when it comes to products or organisms affecting ourselves or our environment.

GMOs are beneficial to society, therefore should be continued to be used. Scientist Charles Arntzen has discovered a method of inserting vaccines into crops. Using his method people in developing countries would have an easier and safer way of being vaccinated. Another reason GMOs should be continued is so farmers can be less reliant on pesticides. Although pesticides can help keep bugs away they can be harmful to animals and people, using the GM crops with anti-pest genes already in them can help eliminate the need for pesticides. However, when GMOs are not tested thoroughly, they can be dangerous. For example, in 1989 a dietary supplement of tryptophan was released, it killed 37 people, permanently disabled 1,500 people, and caused 5,000

It is proven that when you genetically modify anything those genes become less diverse. When genes become less diverse they can all be susceptible to a certain thing. Say a drought comes along. This drought is very long and rough. Instead of all the plants dying at the same time some that were not genetically modified may be able to survive longer. Even though some plants may not come as we would like, we simply cannot go for this all-or-none plan GMO industries have going on. Genetically engineered crops have shown no increase in yield and no decrease in pesticide use (Tady). Pesticides are as poisonous as they sound, they are being eaten every day and run into our local waterways. Big companies care more about their money than what we put into our bodies. (Tady). The more we let companies take advantage of us they less they care about what goes into their products. It’s all about the

The reading states that genetic modification offers a number of benefits and provides three reasons of support. However, the professor states that there are major drawbacks in genetic modification and refutes each of the authors' reasons.

In this brief essay I will be arguing against genetically engineered food. I will not be using any sources, this is all based on my opinions.

One of the main concerns of today’s generation is health. Many people are concerned with staying fit, which means working out and eating healthy. Currently, today’s generation is at a crossroad between what is considered healthy and the price of being healthy. The biggest concern revolves around Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs. GMOs are scientifically modified foods or hormones used to increase food production and reduce the number of pesticides and disease a crop or organism may be susceptible to. So what is the big concern? Consumers are wary of eating the unknown. Many are scared to eat GMOs due to an irrational fear of disease. Consumers tend to overreact about Genetically Modified foods without truly understanding the purpose of GMOs.

Health is a concerning issue in the world. Health can’t be restored when it’s gone, so people are debating over choosing a good solution, to either genetically modify foods or is it a risk for human health. Bryan Walsh agreed that food should be modified, so that is the reason for his argument over genetically modified food. Oppositely, Shelley Stonebrook is against it, and she wrote an article about four potential health risks of eating GMO foods. Although, both have strong evidence. Stonebrook is less persuasive. I disagree with Walsh mostly, and his article is not effective enough because he is concerned about how it works financially, even though he was effective.

For many years there has been widespread debate on whether or not genetically modified food and using antibiotics in animals is safe or morally right. Farmers often genetically modify their crops in order for them to produce larger crop yields, survive substandard growing conditions, and to survive blites that might otherwise kill off the crops. Farmers also inject their animals with antibiotics or steroids in order to make them grow larger and to make them healthier. The video seems to be shooting towards a younger audience, considering that it is a cartoon that advertises a mobile game at the end in which you have to protect and transport fresh foods. This in itself is aiming towards a younger audience. The author’s claim is that chipotle, the sponsor of the ad, uses unprocessed whole foods rather than processed and modified foods that are depicted in the cartoon. The author effectively uses tone, symbolism, and setting to clearly get their point across.

In this technology development era, people live in the age that anything mostly produced by technology. In this world, technology is gradually globalized. One of the technologies that recently globalized is biotechnology. Recently, the world mostly uses biotechnology as an alternative resource for human consumption. In this occasion, biotechnology for foods refers to the genetically engineered foods. Some people think the genetically engineered foods are safe for human consumption. However, some people affairs that almost all of the genetically engineered foods have dangerous materials that are not good for human’s health. Therefore, genetically engineered foods are not safe for human consumption.

At the rate the world is going at now, it is not far fetched to believe that in a few years the world population could be at ten billion. In order to support all ten billion of these people, actions need to be taken to ensure everyone will be fed. Some techniques to ensure food security include producing and supporting the production of genetically modified foods, implicating the practice of urban farming and aquaculture, better management of wasted foods and educating the general population on food waste.