Genetically Modified Crops

By genetically modifying traits in plants, biotechnology allows for higher food production in a wider array of places without the use of chemicals or limited resources. The increased crop availability results in economic profit, not only in the United States, but in developed and non-developed nations around the globe. A study to support this claim from Iowa State University shows that without GMO’s, global prices would be nearly 10% higher for soybeans and 6% higher for corn, two largely grown crops throughout the world. The net economic benefit for farmers in 2011 was $19.8 billion (PG Economics, 1996-2011). This results in an average rise in income of $329 per acre. For the entire 16-year period since the introduction of GMO’s, the increase in global

Genetically modified foods have contributed to better foods in terms of food quality and human health.

Genetic Engineering has a multiplicity of uses in agriculture. It can be utilized to increase crop output, resistance to pest and diseases, and enhanced growing conditions. Sagoff states “Genetic engineers can help peasant societies by engineering plants and animals to stand up to the challenges of local conditions, such as blights that affect yams and other traditional crops” (14). The article “Biotechnology and Agriculture: The Common Wisdom and Its Critics.” by Sagoff. Discusses how genetic manipulation of crops would be of major benefit in developing countries, primarily because said countries can 't grow enough food to suffice the populous. Genetic manipulation of plants can make food easier to grow in these countries.

Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug pushed the boundaries of conventional farming through biotechnology. He bred crops with desirable characteristics to manipulate the DNA. He is credited for saving billions of lives. This proves that a genetically modified crop or organism can be safe and can help conquer world hunger. This leads into how U.N. agencies discuss hunger crisis. “Essentially, biotechnology improves the characteristics and requirements of food crops through manipulation of plant DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid], or genetic engineering, creating a GMO. Such plants have better insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, and the sustainability of cultivation is increased by minimizing use of pesticides and fertilizers” (Weisser). This can change how we protect crops without using pesticides. Still scientist all over the world are looking for many ways to help world hunger. GMO’s are one of those ways. They are not as bad as people see them. One day GMO’s will save the

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that are artificially manipulated usually in a laboratory through genetic engineering (The Non-GMO Project, n.d.). These organisms are practically the combination of plants, animal, bacterial, and viral materials that do not exist in naturally. These experiments that take place in the labs to produce the GMOs can be through artificial mixing or traditional crossbreeding approaches. The aim of producing the GMOs was to increase food availability, crop tolerance, improved nutrition, and other consumer benefits, until this date this goal has not been achieved (The Non-GMO

Back then, farmers relied solely on the plot of soil they owned to produce fruits and vegetables. Farmers often had to deal with the threat of damaged crops from weather changes and insect pests. However, imagine being able to not increase productivity and protecting crops being ruined or eaten. Now, with advancements in technology and genetics, scientists can genetically modify organisms by altering its DNA in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination to introduce desired physiological traits (EFFL 235). In 2000, 68% of all genetically modified, GM, crops were grown by U.S. farmers, with soybeans and corn making up 82% of all GM crops harvested in 2000 (Whitman 5). According to the European Food & Feed Law Review, scientists may transfer simple genes from the DNA from one organism into another, and also between non- related species, such as animals, bacteria, and virus to enhance desired traits (4). The use of genetic engineering was first introduced to aid farmers in an alternative other than using pesticides. Soon after, enhanced traits that improve nutrition were inputted into plants to increase nutritional value. Although the genetic engineering of GM food may create superweeds, GM food should be encouraged since it decreases the need for pesticides, increases food supply, and improves the nutrition of food.

Science is now allowing fertilization across different species and even from plant species to animal species. The insertion of genetic bits would never occur naturally because the cross-fertilization would not produce a fertile offspring. Genetically Modified Organisms seem to promise a “revolution” in food production and some even go as far to say that it could end world hunger. According to the non-gmo project, “there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit”. Most of GMOs on the market have been altered to withstand the application herbicide and to create its own insecticide. Some organisms on the market are corn, soybeans, and rice. These organisms can make their own insecticide, resist weed killers, are enriched with vitamins, and can produce vaccines. There are ethical concerns that should be addressed before GMOs become routine.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are benefitting your body, bank account, and well being because they’re affordable, environmentally friendly, and healthier compared to conventional crops; they could be an answer to the world’s food problems. GMOs are created through genetic engineering (GE) by scientists to improve their ability to grow in foreign environments, resist pests, endure extreme weather, or yield more product; in simpler terms, it is a new and improved version of a food, plant, or animal (Monsanto 1). Genetically modified crops have advantages over conventional farming which could benefit third world countries and, in the long run, hopefully end world hunger. They can be produced in different climates and can be enhanced

Genetically modified crops offer many advantages over conventional crops and farming methods ("Ethical Issues"). For example, genetically modified crops give larger individual produce and generate higher yields around the world. In a review of studies published by PG Economics, it is mentioned that "[Biotechnology has] delivered positive yield impacts in all user countries (except Australia) when compared to average yields derived from crops using conventional technology such as application of insecticides and seed treatments" ("Biotech crops: evidence, outcomes and impacts 1996-2007"). Increased yields lead to a net gain in happiness from the public, as prices of GM crops are lowing than organic alternatives.

Many argue that developing genetically modified crops in third world countries would be a positive impact not only economically, but environmentally. “Biotechnology is one of the tomorrow's tools in our hands today.

Genetically modified foods have recently been in the new headlines for both their positive attributes and the negatives of genetic modification, this essay will look at the effects Genetically Modified foods have on the economy, environment and you.

Should crops be allowed to be produced by means of genetic modification in order to have a higher yield seed and more sustainability? The answer is “yes”, with the technology now available every source should be used to produce a better crop. The production of more reliable crops could hold the potential to change doubtful view points on the subject. A better crop means one that has more variation and a higher yielding seed, disease resistant, and able to withstand the extremes of weather. Allowing the production of genetically modified crops to be produced more freely can and will make a positive impact on the society.

First of all, it cannot be denied the enormous benefits of genetically manipulated organisms and their derived products on the community. This has been proved by a great number of practical applications in human life. According to Bawa and Anilakumar (2013), in comparison with traditionally grown (or non-transgenic) plants, GM crops demonstrated higher productivity by growing faster, resisting to diseases and insects better, and producing more nutritious foods (p. 1038). These crops were believed to be able to grow under unfavorable conditions such as regular droughts or infertile soil (p. 1038). Moreover, Bawa and Anilakumar (2013) stated that the products of genetically engineered plants should be free from herbicides and pesticides and thus are environment friendly due to the fact that these crops are better at diseases and pest resistance so there is no need to use herbicides, pesticides or insecticides anymore (p. 1038). Besides, human

Genetically modified crops are both crucial and inevitable in feeding the world’s growing population, but with its potential health threats still unknown, stricter government regulations should be enforced.

In mutating a plant's DNA, scientists can impact the crops' number of seeds, height, and resistance to disease, all of which can positively affect a crop's yield (220). In one Indian study, GM cotton had a 30-80 percent higher yield than non-GM cotton (Diaz and Fridovich-Keil). Because of their higher crop production and therefore their ability to provide more food for the world, GM crops may have a huge positive impact on the approximately one billion malnourished and underfed people living in underdeveloped countries (Lerner and Lerner). Having enough food will be even more essential within the next 50 years, as the world's population is expected to increase to 14 billion (Lerner and Lerner). Genetic engineers are also working on creating crops that can withstand extreme weather conditions to increase the amount of farmable land globally (Diaz and Fridovich-Keil). These positive effects provide a strong argument to support GM foods.