The failure of an arithmetically proliferating food supply to meet the demands of an exponentially propagating population has led many scientists and civilians to believe that a genetically modified food supply would be more than ideal. While genetically modified foods have proven to yield more food under cheaper costs, it has also yielded many problems. Concerned researchers believe that a “Pandora’s lunchbox” has been opened at the dawn of genetic modification technology. (PBS, par 33) Since genetically modified foods are foreign substances to the consumer’s body, the physical response to such foods are generally negative. Moreover, the temptation of an increased profit from a cheap rate of production for genetically modified foods has …show more content…
(Newton, par 68) This triggered unheralded allergic reactions, endangering the lives of many uninformed soy bean consumers who had severe nut allergies. What is even more terrifying is that genetically modified foods can cause more than allergy conflicts; they can impair body systems, induce cancer and ultimately, cause death. Many vegetables such as potatoes which are genetically modified have natural toxins which are produced upon trigger. Generally, the toxin levels are not sufficient to cause harm to humans who consume them but when such plants are genetically modified, the inserted genes could act as toxin inducers or triggers and poison consumers. The severe consequences of this would be paralysis, permanent damage and sometimes, death. (Newton, par 73) The countless various genes inserted in foods in genetic modification of foods put consumers’ health at risk and the consequences, unclear as well. Not only do these monstrous mutations in food affect people, but it also affects the environment. Many livestock have been abused and mistreated in the creation of these monstrous foods. In the cattle breeding industry, scientists are constantly experiment to acquire the perfect breed of transgenic cattle. With such low chances of survival, the poor transgenic cattle are being set up for an early, painful death
There has been much controversy about whether people should actually be eating these manipulated foods and crops. Although people ask if it is safe for human and animal consumption, they continue to do it without really knowing the consequences. Scientists and farmers use poisonous herbicides inside crops and foods. GMO’s are also the reason for “super weeds” and “super bugs” which can only be killed with more toxic poisons. Although the long-term effects for eating and using GMO’s are unknown, humans should exercise caution.
When cooking genetically modified foods, the food has to be fully cooked in order to get the chemicals out of the food. If left in the food, the chemical can enter our bloodstream and cause us to be deathly ill and may even cause death. Genetically modified foods may be good for the economy but they are not good for humans if not cooked properly.In a review of nineteen studies it shows that there has been significant organ disruption
In conclusion, GMOs and pesticides are harmful and alarming to producers and consumers. They cause animals pain and harm humans when consumed. Many animals live short and painful lives, while humans now must suffer with long term diseases or damage to their bodies. Although some argue that Genetically modified produce is benefiting producers and consumers, I still argue that genetically modified organisms harm animals and
Recently, delegates of famine stricken Southern African nations and representatives from the United States and the European Union came together to resolve issues regarding the acceptance of Genetically modified Food aid from the United States of America. Concerns and complications stemmed from humanitarian, economical, social and political grounds.
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.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of genetic modification in foods grown for human consumption. Many opponents suggest that genetically modified (GM) foods can affect human growth and development, increase allergic reactions in persons with allergy sensitivity or cause allergies to develop in healthy people. Proponents of using genetically modified organisms to alter and improve foods claim that there are no health risks to humans and that GM foods are subjected to stricter guidelines and testing than “naturally” grown food. They also claim that genetic modification of food is necessary to produce more drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant crops that can sustain the earth’s growing human population. A recent survey conducted suggests that public opinion is evenly divided on whether or not GMOs should be used in foods for human consumption. This paper looks to discuss the pros and cons of GMOs in food and the reported effects, if any, on human growth and development.
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.
Dr. Praphul Joshi 10/23/2013 Controversial Public Health Issue There are several controversial issues confronting us today; from Universal Healthcare (Obama Care) to Stem Cell research, to vaccinations, to genetically engineered (GE)/genetically modified (GM) foods. However, I shall look at genetically modified foods as the controversial issue for this article. I shall look at an article from the mass media about this controversial public health issue and place emphasis on the message the document wants to convey and address any biases that may be within. In addition, I shall provide additional data or facts from another article to see if it supports or refutes the controversial message. It is my intention that this article will provide some clarity on genetically modified foods confronting us in the United States and the world over. Since the successful cloning of Dolly, the sheep, in July 5, 1996, Biotechnology has been praised and castigated at the same time.
By the year 2012, over 70 percent of the processed foods in the U.S can be linked to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Despite this strong dependency on the manipulation of genetic material, there are many questions concerning long-lasting impacts such food could bring. The government of the United States of America should enforce stricter restrictions on the consumption, production, and availability of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Genetically engineered foods have detrimental impacts on the environment, are linked to large, monopolizing industries, and do not reduce world hunger.
GMO Controversy. The beginning of the altering of DNA, which has been encoded in both plants and animals, results in drastic consequences applied to both pro and anti GM foods. Within this article a GMO is referred to as “transgenic crops, where the genes from a nonplant organism (usually bacteria) are deliberately inserted into a plant (using recombinant DNA or gene-splicing) in hopes the new plant will exhibit certain desirable traits” (Norwood, Oltenacu, Lorenzo, & Lancaster, 2015, p. 60). Arguably the traits do not always have the best of outcomes. Genetic mutations which show morbid alterations within the bodies of animals and humans, are less likely to have exposure, limiting the discussion or visual representation, outside of the producer.
(2003). Genetically Modified Food Could Harm the Environment. In N. Harris (Ed.), At Issue. Genetically Engineered Foods. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Risks of Genetic Engineering, 2007) Retrieved from
“Today we use the term ‘genetically modified’ to refer to food produced from plants or animals which have had their genes changed by scientists in the laboratory rather than farmers in the field,” said by Nick Middleton (51). Genetically modified foods have become a hot topic in the world. People have still not been able to label it as a “Frankenstein food or a weapon against starvation” (Middleton 51). Genetically modified foods should be allowed for public consumption because it helps deal with the issue of world hunger, it improves overall quality of food, and it helps the environment.
“More than half of U.S. consumers express concern about genetically modified organisms, but many have no idea what that means” (Goldman 115). In modern days, we find ourselves living in a “plastic society”. Everything that we see is not really what we see, it is being camouflaged. This applies greatly to social media, but people don't see it very much in food. Now more than ever, the food industry is using genetically modified seeds and chemicals. This is an unethical practice because people don't know what they are consuming, and if what they consume has negative effects on them, they should be informed.
Another crucial way in which humans are harmed from genetically modified foods is obesity. Obesity stems from an abnormal diet with high calorie-dense foods which results in above average body fat. It is associated with increased risk of disease such as cardiovascular failure and liver cancer, disability and incapacitation from excess weight on the joints and bones, and even death from complications arising from the obesity – not the obesity itself. People are consciously ignorant about the foods they eat. “Obesity is the sixth most common disease worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion adults and 10% of children are considered obese” (Haslam). Obesity is a chronic
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.