Genetically Modified Food

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.

In a perfect world, what would everyone have? Well, they most likely would have good health, money, stability, and proper environment to live very productive lives. This is what people strive to have, but very few receive. Why? There are many reasons. One reason might be the lack of agricultural advancement in many countries. If these countries were to embrace genetically modified crops, the citizens would have much better lives. According to Osakabe, Yuriko, Kajita, and Osakabe, in their article “Genetic Engineering Of Woody Plants: Current And Future Targets In A Stressful Environment”, genetic engineering in plants is better than traditional breeding methods because “…they bypass the long generation for breeding…” (106).

What are genetically modified foods? They are plants and animals whose DNA has been altered or change to suit the needs of humans. There are three types of genetically modified food (GM) first generation, second generation, and third generation crops. Each type is focused in different types of yields and crops so they can have a system that allows to keep production and value up.

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

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.

Enserink, Martin. "Tough Lessons from Golden Rice." Science. AAAS, 25 Apr. 2008. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. .

When you walk into your local grocery store, you can observe floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with foods boasting about nutritional benefits: whole grains in cereals, omega-3s in eggs, and lycopene (an antioxidant) in ketchup, but there are ingredients hiding in these products that many of us do not know are present. They are called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), and it has been estimated that over 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves contain genetically engineered ingredients, which Americans have been eating since 1996. “Currently up to 85% of the United States’ corn is genetically engineered (GE), as are 91% of soybeans and 88% of cotton (cottonseed oil is often used in food products)” (About Genetically Modified Foods). What does it mean when a food is Genetically Modified? To understand what Genetically Modified Organisms are, there needs to be an understanding of what DNA is. “Within the tissues of a plant are cells. Within the cell is the nucleus. Within that are chromosomes composed of the DNA molecule, which in turn is made up of a sequence of base pairs. A simplistic description is that sequence of the genes in the DNA determine the sequence in the RNA, which then determines the sequence of the building blocks of proteins, called amino acids. These proteins can determine a particular trait or characteristic” (Latham). Using genetic engineering, scientists take genes from bacteria, viruses, or other sources and force them into the DNA of a plant.

While genetic management of foods can be traced throughout history, the modern phenomena of GMOs and transgenic plants have come to light in just the last few decades. In today’s modern society, the science of biotechnology and the process of genetic modification are developing throughout the planet. As of 2004, 8.25 million farmers in 17 countries were using genetically modified crops. Today, approximately two- thirds of all food offered in supermarkets has been genetically modified. However, the subject of GMO’s is one of great controversy. Although this modern invention does have some positive results on the food industry it also has brought some negative consequences along with it.

The human population is growing rapidly. With the growth in the human population, the demand for food is also growing at an unprecedented rate. Arguably, farms are unable to naturally provide the world’s population the food needed by natural means. This may seem like a big issue, but humans came up with an ingenious solution: genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMO’s. Genetically modified food has been able to offset the worlds growing demand for food, and all our food problems seem to be solved. Or have they? I will use information from: Wendell Berry’s, The Pleasures of Eating, Jon Entine and JoAnna Wendel’s, 2000+ reasons Why GMO’s Are Safe to Eat, Robin Mather’s, The Threats from Genetically Modified Foods, along with references from Food Inc., to explain how genetically modified food is being used in a way that negatively affects the livestock, our health, the ecosystem, and the potential threats genetically modified crops have on our future.

Some of the consumers might say the genetically modified food is not good for the health and gives bad effects to their health. For example, consuming too much of genetically modified food can cause food allergy and cancer. But when it come to the farmers view, they said using genetically modified or engineered crops will increase the productivity of food supplies without facing any natural disasters and its help to faster the process of farming. This circumstance creates many questions arise between the consumers and farmers. Do American’s support to the genetically modified foods or not? Or do the government will make changes in the agricultural policy by limiting the usage of genetically modified organism? Whatever question arise regarding this issue, there is always positive and negative perception of American citizens towards the genetically modified foods. This assignment will discuss about the perception of genetically modified food in the United States of America and the effect on United State agricultural

Even though it is evident that the potential of genetically modified organisms to improve our food production is astronomical, they are not without their drawbacks. Since it is the negative public opinion of genetically modified organisms that is affecting their application their negative aspects are often magnified and become very important to their future use. To accurately understand the full story of genetically modified organisms it is important to look at some of the real issues that they present and weigh these negatives against the many positives outlined earlier.

As a scientist from the United State Department of Agriculture, I would recommend the adoption of the GM corn being provided by the US. Genetically modified crops are a breakthrough technology as they accelerate the breeding of crops and make crop production more efficient. I will like to highlight the focus on the issue of safety of the GM corn. The ‘anti-GM faction’ has tried to suggest that GM corn is not safe for human consumption, but I will prove that the GM corn is perfectly safe for human consumption.

By extricating genes from one organism and interpolating them into a new organism. The cultivation manufacturing would create a higher quality and capacity which means a maximization of potency. If the animal and agriculture commodity productions concentrated on competence, such ability could be very advantageous to the producer, purchasers, and environment as a totality. Genetically altered foods enable biotech corporations to form a collaboration with tenants by utilizing the technology accessible on our support. If these businesses were to use genetically modified organisms (GMO 's) efficiently, it would permit for them to embed vital nutritious vitamins for all. Much of the extensive deliberations on farming biotechnology have concentrated on the inherent risks of Genetically Modifying crops for human health. Some of the wellness risks related to unapproved Genetically Modifying Foods include allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, a formation of toxins and the nutritional changes. To discuss the potential shortcomings of biotechnology purpose in engineered meals, people tend out some of the problems arising out from genetic alteration methods.

“70 percent of our corn farmland and 93 percent of soy farmland are planted with crops genetically engineered to resist pests and herbicides and increase crop yields. 60% of all the processed foods in the United States are genetically modified; a shocking statistic has the concern of many Americans. However, most people are uninformed about the beneficial impact that genetically modified food has on their diet. GM is the use of molecular biology technology to modify the inherited structure of organisms. Genetically engineered crops increase nutrients, drought tolerance, provide more food for growing populations, and resists diseases and pesticides. Genetically engineered foods are crucial to the improvement of economy, agriculture, society, and health choices. The creation of GM foods was one of the most significant breakthroughs in food industry. Genetically modifying foods is a key component that is harmless for the enrichment of our foods.

Genetic modification, also known as genetic engineering is defined as the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome with use of biotechnology. A modern reoccurring issue of today’s society is the production of genetically modified food (GMO). Genetically modified foods are foods that are produced from organisms that have altered DNA through the use of genetic engineering techniques. These particular methods of genetic engineering give way for the introduction of new traits while also controlling traits.