Genetically Modified Organisms And Foods

Genetically modified foods can be good and bad for humans and the economy. For example, if you do not cook an genetically modify foods it can cause us humans to become deathly ill. If the soil is not treated before the genetically modified seed is placed into the ground it can damage the soil and the earth around it.

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

GMO’s or Genetically Modified Food is one of the most controversial topics that have been studied and debated for over 40 years. Scientists on both sides of the spectrum claim that these modified foods are safe for consumption, but also some argue that these foods are toxic and very harmful to human life. GMO’s are genetically modified organisms that are created and added in a lab experiment where DNA are extracted from one gene and added to another plant or animal. This allows the genes to mix with the DNA to create a desired product. For example, bigger apples, larger oranges, taller animals, and plants that can survive the changing climate. GMOs are different from organic food and products because chemicals and DNA modification is not needed for these natural stuff.

According to Wikipedia, the terms "Genetically modified foods, GM foods or genetically engineered foods, are foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering as opposed to traditional cross breeding (“Genetically”). In 1994, the company Calgene created the first genetically modified tomato called the Flavr Savr. The Flavr Savr was created with the purpose of slowing down the process of ripening while still keeping the tomato in an appealing form. In 2011, the United States became the country with the most available genetically modified foods in the world. The growth in production of genetically engineered foods has caused great controversy not only in the United States but also around the globe. Many people are proponents of GM foods because of all the benefits they deliver, but others oppose them due to their potential negative effects (“Genetically Modified Foods”, Wikipedia).

Genetically modified food is a topic of intensive debate that has caused a lot of controversy over the years, basically due to a lack of knowledge about genetic engineering and large amounts of misleading information within mass media. Genetically modified foods have recently gathered more attention since environmental and health organizations have actively rejected genetically modified foods for various reasons. Genetically modified foods have the ability to resolve problem of famine and malnutrition in the world, also produce greater yields, decrease pesticides and herbicides usage, and improve the nutritional value of food. While the benefits of GMOs to our society have been widely discussed, their effect on our health is still a controversial

‘With genetically modified foods I believe we have reached the thin edge of the wedge, we are messing with the building blocks of life and its scary’ - Malcom Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive of Iceland Foods (Quotes from Scientists).

Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms whose genetic make-up have been changed by mutating, inserting, or deleting genes, by using genetic engineering techniques or biotechnology (Klein, Wolf, Wu & Sanford, 1987). The topic of genetically modified organisms became very controversial in today’s world. GMO have been used not only in producing vegetable, but also in medical and biological researches, drug production, and medical treatments. However, the food field generates the biggest controversy since it relates to a lot of different issues. Genetically modified food concerns people over their benefits, if they are resistant to disease, or improve the nutrition of the foods. It is also a moral and ethical issue for a lot of vegan, vegetarians and some religious groups, as the transfer of animal genes into plants goes against their believes.

Throughout my time enrolled in this course, I have learned many valuable lessons. However, the most important lesson that I have learned is how to be a better writer. By completing the various assignments in this course, particularly the substantiation assignment, I have learned how to better explain my opinions as well as support them. However,

What is genetically modified food (GMO). Is is safe? Is it helpful? Genetically Modified Foods or GMO for short, is the process in which organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. In simple terms it is the process in which a gene from an organism is modified into fruits, and basically in everything we eat. Will eating a Genetically Modified pizza cause you any harm, or your children in school. The school cafeteria should be able to serve genetically modified food! Would you want your child eating something that has been grown in the wild. Is it even safe?

techniques. And any consumption of these genetically altered foods can lead to increased risk of

Genetic modification in the food industry has always been a huge sticking point with both consumers and regulators. Genetic modification however in some instances allows crops to grow in harsh conditions and with additional proteins, and bet keratein, where food scarcity is an issue to due growing conditions. Genetically modified crops in these instances is a welcome commodity and labeling would make little to no difference in consumer interest. However, when you start talking about places like the United States where consumers have options and the food industry is regulated the debate gets more complex. Food manufacturers are required to label their products almost everything except GMOs. The health risks from GMOs remains uncertain and GMO

“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.

Do you know exactly what is in the food you eat every day? Do you read the food labels every time you eat different food? Are companies, factories, or stores stating the truth when they claim that their food is “organic” or “natural”? The answer is probably no, unless you really are interested in what you eat. But for the most part, a great majority of the population in this country have no idea what is in their food. Most of them probably don’t even know what the definition of the word “organic” or “natural” and just assume that if foods have that labeled then they automatically are better than other food who don’t claim they are. Also, consumers have little knowledge on organisms that are a major part of foods we eat on a daily basis. These organisms are called genetically modified organism or also known as GMOs. These are organisms whose DNA has been changed or altered, through a processed called genetic engineering, to change its characteristics in order to make the food, as they claim, “better.” According to the Center for Food Safety (CFS), “Currently, up to 92% of U.S. corn is genetically engineered (GE), as are 94% of soybeans and 94% of cotton. It has been estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves contain genetically engineered ingredients.” Corn, soybeans, are substantially used in innumerable amounts of food and to know that 90% of these ingredients are genetically altered with, can be pretty overwhelming. Although the FDA doesn’t

Chemicals should be kept in science labs instead of food that is produced for the general public. Genetically modified organisms are organisms that are genetically engineered with hazardous chemicals to fit the agenda of large corporations. Genetically modified foods are detrimental because of the negative health effects on humans, the malformation of animals, and the damage to the environment.

Foods produced from organisms which have been encountered with specific changes brought in to their DNA utilizing the mode of genetic engineering is known as genetically modified food. These DNA modification techniques have permitted for the introduction of latest and innovative crop attributes as well as gain a great control over the genetics structure of the food which was then previously sustained by modes such as selective and mutation breeding (King). In 1995 the Commercial sale of this food had been started. Calgene marketed its first genetically modified food named Flavr Savr which was ripening tomatoes (Bruening and Lyons). Most of the modifications of genetic food have initially been focused on the highly demanded cash crops such as Corn, Canola, Soybean and Cotton Seed Oil. These have been designed and engineered for resistance to herbicides and better nutritional profiles. Genetically modified livestock have also been introduced but has not been introduced in the market.