Genetically Modified Organisms And Its Effects On The Environment

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are all over the world and are found in 80% of processed food in the United States. GMOs are animals and plants that have undergone DNA recombination; they are genetically engineered with DNA from other plants, animals and microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses. Such DNA recombination does not occur in nature and cannot be obtained from traditional crossbreeding (NON-GMO Project; Vigne, Komar & Fuchs). Since recombinant DNA technology involves transferring genetic material from one organism to another, GMOs are also known as transgenic organisms since there has been a transfer of genes (University of New Mexico). This procedure is different from cloning; cloning involves the replication of DNA sequences of the organism but without changing the genes in the DNA sequence. Thus, genetic modification involves actual modification of DNA sequence. However, the replication of genetically modified organisms is done through cloning in order to maintain the exact gene sequence that was created or desired (University of New Mexico). The production of GMOs is controversial and has strong proponents and opponents. Around 60 countries including Japan, Australia, and countries in the European Union have restrictions or bans on the production and sale of GMOs. Numerous reasons are proffered for this position such as health, safety and environmental concerns. At the same time, there are many proponents of GMO

Another contributing factor to the controversial nature of GMOs is the fact that a majority of the world does not consider such food products safe, since “ in more than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs” (The Non-GMO). However, even though genetically engineered organisms are widely considered to be unsafe in many aspects, the U.S. government has little to no restrictions on the production and consumption of these products.

In todays society, people are more concerned about what they put into their body. They eat healthy and maintain a stable diet, but unknown to a number of these people is their food may have been tampered with in the form of Genetically Modified Organisms or, for short, GMO's. Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered to favor a certain characteristic or trait which is already in the DNA. This includes enhancing the DNA in plants to make them bigger, invincible to pests, or invincible towards weeds. Although, the reason why GMO's are a controversial topic is because of lack of knowledge. Genetically Modified Organisms are risky and potentially to dangerous to be handling because of the unknown side effects

“In a sweeping 400-page report, the country’s top scientific group found there was not evidence to support claims that genetically modified organisms are dangerous for either the environment or human health” (Heikkinen, 2016). Even Europe, a country that does not use this technology has proven that GMOs are a safe food source. “There is a scientific consensus, even in Europe, that the GMO foods and crops currently on the market have brought no documented new risks either to human health or to the environment” (Paarlberg, 2010). The biggest argument against GMOs would be that they are not safe to humans or the environment, but there has not yet been any documented evidence that approved GMOs have brought on new risks either to humans, animals or the environment (Paarlberg, 2010). Along with being scientifically proven numerous times to be a safe food source, there is also no confirmation that GMOs pose any risk to humans, animals, or the environment. “The central issue with GM crops is that because there are no concrete adverse effects for people to quantify, they can only focus on theoretical and largely unquantifiable ones” (Buiatti, Christou, & Pastore, 2013). Hundreds of experts have all concluded that GMOs have not presented any new risks to humans. “The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris organized a conference with 400 expert

GMO: “Why is it legal?” “Is it considered safe amongst consumers?”. Those are the two frequently asked questions. If GMOs are used on farms, are consumers rights and health at stake? GMOs are bad because they can cause health problems, environmental damage, and violation of farmers and consumers rights. The lack of GMOs labels plays a major part. How will consumers know what they're putting in their bodies? GMOs are used in 80% of processed foods. Yet, consumers fail to begin living “healthy” lifestyle, the consumption of GMO will drastically affect them.

Introduction/Thesis Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are an organism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. In grocery stores in the United States, as much as 70 percent of the processed food may contain genetically modified organisms. The same cannot be said for the European Union, who has much tighter regulations regarding the planting and end use of genetically modified (GM) foods. There is a worldwide debate over the safety and benefit of genetically modified organisms and whether they should be allowed on the dinner table.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are genetic materials; which have been altered through biotechnology. Many crops sold around the world are genetically modified. GMOs undergo changes to fit a specific purpose such as pest-resistant crops. Despite the fact that GMOs are commonly used, there has been many disagreements regarding whether or not they should be labeled. Although GMOs have been deemed safe by the FDA they concluded that labeling GMOs are unnecessary, citizens disagree and suggest GMOs should be labeled because labels provide benefits and also allow people to have positive attitudes regarding GMOs; also not labeling GMOs infringes on an American citizen’s freedom and the labels could start a governmental public campaign

Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms in which the genetic material or DNA has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. This is done in order to get traits such as longer shelf life and pesticide resistance. They were developed because the perceived advantage is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit, such as the durability and the nutritional value, or both. GMOs have not been proven to be safe as of yet. The long-term consequences of them on our health and environment have not been adequately investigated. There is a contentious debate today whether or not GMO labelling should be mandatory. There are arguments both for and against mandatory labelling across the world. Consumers have the right to know what is in their food. They should also be able to identify foods they wish to steer clear of. Some may also want to steer clear of GM foods for ethical or religious reasons. Consumers may be against mandatory labelling because those who wish to buy foods without GMOs already have the option to purchase them; organic of GMO-free. There is also debate stating if there were a nutritional difference or allergic characteristic in the GM foods, it would have to be labelled no matter what.

The belief that GMOs have a detrimental effect on world health has made its inclusion in our food supply one of the most talked about topics today. This reaction comes from an alarming body of evidence connecting them with health issues, environmental damage and the violation of farmer and consumers’ rights. (Non GMO Project.) This issue has created a growing concern throughout the world, prompting over sixty countries to ban them or pass stringent laws to label their presence in consumer products, especially food (Non GMO Project.)

Making way down the fruit section in the grocery store, the mom picks out a box of strawberries. She thought it was just ordinary strawberries because there was nothing different about the fruit. However, what she did not know was that the strawberries contained genetically modified organisms. Also known as GMO, it is the removal of DNA from another species then artificially injected into an unrelated species: plant or animal (“GMO Education”). GMOs are also worldwide out in the market for anyone to buy. Although it may be in the open market throughout the world, not all consumers know what is inside their food. There are disputes about labeling GMOs: that it matters or that it does not matter. Scientists claim that GMOs are nontoxic, however others propose that the knowledge of risks are not explored enough to complete understand or agree that it is safe (“GMO Foods Should Be Labeled”). Either way,

This is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which establish some general basic rules on the use of GMOs to ensure the protection of the health and care of the environment. Recently, there are 163 Member States, including the European Union. However U.S has not ratified the Protocol, despite U.S is the largest producer of genetically modified crops in the

However, these risks are purely speculative: 81 separate studies costing approximately $65 million have been conducted by the European Commission alone and have shown no evidence of any risk linked to GM foods (1). Indeed, the U.S. has concluded that the risk of GM crops is minimal. As a result, in the U.S., genetically altered crops accounted for 93% of planted soybeans and cotton and 86% of corn in 2009. (2). Considering the success and benefits of GM crops in America, developing countries have followed suit. In 2009, India planted 84,000 square kilometers of genetically modified cotton, and Brazil planted 214,000 square kilometers of GM soybeans, a 26% increase from the year before (3). Like the U.S., these countries conducted a risk-benefit analysis and concluded that the economic, health, and food surplus benefits of GM crops offset the unproven risks (4). Thus, agricultural biotechnology is being implemented in farming techniques throughout the world.

A hereditarily altered living being is any life form whose hereditary material has been modified utilizing hereditary designing procedures. GMOs are the wellspring of hereditarily changed sustenances and are additionally broadly utilized as a part of exploratory exploration and to deliver merchandise other than sustenance. In horticulture, at present advertised hereditarily designed harvests have qualities, for example, imperviousness to vermin, expanded dietary worth, imperviousness to herbicides , which is extraordinary in spite of the fact that it likewise has its unsafe consequences for the human body and nature. Items a work in progress incorporate yields that

Guess what? There is a new food braking surface. Sure it has a seed, but what if I told you it wasn’t a natural seed. This new seed was created in a lab, by scientists. An unnatural seed, that’s scary, created in a lab, that’s even scarier. This seed I’m writing about is known as a Genetically Modified Organism, or a GMO. For the most part, a GMO seed isn’t good for the soil. GMOs cause ‘super-weeds’ to grow, which has increased the use of herbicides tramatically. This, in turn makes GMOs very harmful to our environment. Herbicides aren’t good for the environment when used in large quantities, like GMO farmers must do. This is why I am against GMO manufacturing.

Genetically Modified Organisms, also known as GMOs, is one of the major issues arising in our economy today. GMOs are distinctive organisms in which the genetic material has been altered to improve productivity and the quality of the product. Genetically modified organisms have prominent concerns over their apparent beneficial ways in that they’re resistant to disease, help the epidemic of famine, and improve the nutritional value of foods. Having certain foods in your everyday diet is very substantial in humans to be healthy, and to have the quality of life we deserve. It’s no secret in how GMOs have affected our products worldly. In order to bring this epidemic to a halt we fist have to come to an understanding on how dangerous these organisms can be. Genetically altered crops can lead to serious destruction of not only our environment, but also contaminate our organic crops. Also major companies who work with GMOs intend to monopolize market-foods. To prevent these Genetically Modified organisms, it should be labeled on their products, and so then people can be aware of the danger that comes with these products.