Genetically Modified Food Essay example

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.

Corn and wheat are found in almost everything we eat. Unfortunately, corporations have found ways to manipulate the way our crops are grown, and have turned into a shell of what they once were. Like previously stated, crops are essential to life. If a catastrophe was to happen, we would be reliant on produce as our main source of food. Crops were at one point self sufficient and were easy to grow. According to the text, The Threat from Genetically Modified Foods, a corporation named, Monsanto has created seed that can not be reused. They call this type of seed a Terminator seed. While this seed is a brilliant idea to make money, it is seriously hindering the ability for our civilization to survive if something major was to happen, and we needed to produce crops that were self-sufficient. Another concern of genetically modifying our crops is the extent that we are modifying them. Our produce is getting larger and larger. We our using unnatural gases to ripen them. We are growing crops in countries that are that should not be able to thrive in that type environment. While all of this seems interesting, and according to the authors of, 2000+ Reasons why GMO’s are Safe, “there is no credible evidence that GMO’s pose any unique threat to the environment or the publics health. (85),” how far are we going to modify our produce? Genetically modifying our produce is a fairly new practice. We have yet to see the long term health effects of modifying our produce like this on a large scale. I understand modifying our food to fulfill human need, but our corporations are turning our produce into a shell of what it once

The issue of genetically modified foods, is Farmers can't harvest seeds. Fundamentally, farming is a simple process: plant seeds, grow crops, harvest crops, and gather seeds from the plants for the next season. Sadly, GMO companies like Monsanto take this last step away from farmers and raise expenses even futher by forcing the farmers to continually buy the premium-priced GM eeds every growing season. In fact, as was shiwn in the Bowman v. Monsanto court case, it is illegal in the US for someone growing a Monsanto crop to harvest the seeds and use them later. The Nowman case went all the way to the unanimously found guilty of patent infringement after he purchased and used second generation Monsanto seeds.

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.

It’s been debated many times about GMO’s negative impact on the environment. The introduction of GMO’s has been exposed to many ecosystems throughout world, bringing a wide concern towards the impact of it. “GM crops are commercially available and planted on more than 40 million hectares across six continents” (FAO). “Activists, worried about GMOs being released into the biosphere, have destroyed test plots in at least four continents. (FAO). Another big concern about GMO’s negative impact upon the environment is that the pollen from GM crops, and trees can contaminate nearby crops and wild plants. Varieties of corn in Mexico have been found to have some contamination with in it, along with many others. This can cause many major changes to varieties types of crops out there, not just corn itself. It alters the DNA within the crop causing them to grow differently.

Genetically engineered crops in the United States cover almost one quarter of all the cropland. Soybeans, cotton, and corn are the products that tend to be the most modified. GMOs do not only have the purpose of solving world hunger, but also to cure diseases and create vaccines. John and Cheryl talk about Monsanto and DuPont, another big company involved in the production of GMOs. These two companies claim that their products have the purpose of feed the world and at the same time reduce the use of pesticides and stop the production of erosion. Nonetheless, researches have shown that the claims of these companies have no support, since biotechnology has been improving quickly and the current study to prevent bigger mistakes in the future is

In 1901 Monsanto, one of the largest agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporations was founded. In 1982 Monsanto launched their first project to officially genetically modify an organism. From then on, they have continually been genetically modifying organisms without knowing many possible side effects of human consumption. Monsanto is only one example, but there are many similar corporations that genetically modify organisms. People need to know what can happen if foods that are genetically modified are eaten. Clearly, people must avoid eating foods that have been genetically modified indefinitely.

A final argument against genetically modifying foods is that the large agriculture conglomerates which are responsible for manufacturing them, like aforementioned Monsanto, ruthlessly destroy the environment, as well as smaller farming businesses. Take for example, a company like Monsanto, which owns 80 percent of genetically modified corn market, and 93 percent of the modified soy market. Monsanto is a perfect representation of the types of companies that sell genetically modified organisms. Monsanto is more commonly for a rather infamous previous product of theirs, called dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, otherwise known as the pesticide DDT. DDT was one of the most widely used pesticides in the 1960s, as it was sprayed almost everywhere mainly in an effort to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes. After being linked to mass animal reproduction and liver problems, it was banned in 1972 (Center for Disease Control). DDT residue is still being found thirty years later (DDT Residue in California Soil). Other Monsanto products include Agent Orange, a chemical weapon used in the

A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a virus, bacterium, or more complex life-form in which the DNA has been altered for a particular purpose. Some of these purposes include: research into the nature of genes and biological processes, manufacturing animal proteins, correcting genetic defects, and making improvements to animals and plants (Natural Environment Research Council). Making improvements to animals and plants is a major motivation to produce GMOs. With a world population on its way to 9 plus billion by the year 2050, a viable option for sustenance production is needed. With this ever-growing world population there is a need for somehow controlling the amount of people born. China is one country

“High-tech tomatoes, Mysterious milk, Super squash. Are we supposed to eat this stuff? Or is it going to eat us?” why do we eat mysteries foods that we don't know why there made from. The quote means that we shouldn’t eat all the food companies make because one day they could be worst then they already are. Why is It that processed lemonade is made from nail polish but nail polish is made from natural lemons. If we continues to eat this food then we could good as well want to get fat and healthy and kiss our lives away. Processed foods are bad for the human body because it has bad GMO’S, it is hyper rewarding, and people become addicted because of all the dopamine in the food.

What is genetically modified food, and is it dangerous? According to Mather’s article, she explains, “Genetic modification refers to the manipulation of DNA by humans to change the essential makeup of plants and animals. The technology inserts genetic material from one species into another to give it a new-quality, such as the ability to produce a pesticide.” Mather also states, “These toxins can produce a serious impact on the health of animals and humans.” Yes, the United States food industry is corrupt when it comes to modified food however, their corruption has yet to be revealed. This corruption includes mistreatment of farm animals, exploitation of food workers, and the lack of nutrition in public schools. Although, all these areas

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

Allergies can cause a severe, and occasionally fatal, reaction in those who suffer from such a condition. 3.7% (approximately twelve million people) of the population of the United States suffers from food-related allergies (Held 1). This statistic, paired with the use of genetic modification, has created a dangerous guessing game as to what these people can safely consume. This danger relating to allergies is one of the many undesirable effects of genetic modification. In order to protect us from their hazardous effects, it is imperative that genetically modified foods (GMFs) be clearly labelled.

Today about 90 percent of all GM crops grown in the U.S., and 40 percent worldwide, originate from a company called Monsanto (“GM Food”). The majority of these crops consist of soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton. Monsanto started out as a manufacturer of artificial sweeteners then developed into an agricultural chemical company that produced herbicides and pesticides. It has since become the leader in GM crops and a political powerhouse. Monsanto has spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the White House for support. This is one of the reasons why opponents have had such difficulties in opposing GM crops. Proponents of GM crops believe they are the next logical step in agriculture, and the benefits could far outweigh

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.