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.
Some benefits of genetically modified foods include the potential to create higher crop surpluses. This is significant because of the increasing population of our nation as well as worldwide. This opens doors for better trade and can provide farmers with more efficient structures and time management. GMOs also reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides. They reduce overall need for manual labor of farmers. GMOs are seen as more economical and beneficial to manufacturers. Besides technical assets, the quality of the food can be improved drastically as well. The foods can stay fresher longer and can also endure weather fluctuations along side with having the capability to grow and produce in originally unsuitable conditions. The most beneficial factor examined from genetically modified foods would be that they can specifically and personally be altered
The governments and scientists were hoping that the GMO’s will provide to the public such benefits as increased food supply, helping underfed nations, assisting farmers, and better overall food taste. Because the crops are already resistant, this would allow farmers to skip steps in the production process, like spraying herbicides and pesticides.
What are GMOs? GMO is the acronym for genetically modified organism. “GMOs are living beings that have had their genetic code changed in some way” (Purdue University). GMOs commonly refer to crops that are created or modified for human or animal consumption using molecular biology techniques. Molecular biology can be defined as “a branch of biology dealing with the ultimate physicochemical organization of living matter and especially with the molecular basis of inheritance and protein synthesis” (Merriam Webster). GMOs are an improvement on the plant itself. Although GMOs seem like a fresh new idea, the human race has been modifying crops for thousands of years. “Humans have been genetically modifying organisms for over 30,000 years” (Rangel,
It increase crop yield,it reduced pesticide,it increased farmer profits,and crops grow fast. Yes it probably can do all them things but gmo food is bad for humans because it unhealthy and can damage your body.
Genetically modified organisms can be crops or animals. There can be a few health benefits from this process. Theresa Phillips in “Genetically Modified Organisms” states “some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yield, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition, and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world’s growing population” (Phillips, 2). “A number of animals have also been genetically engineered to increase yield and decrease susceptibility to disease.” (Phillips, 2) In “Genetically Modifies Foods: Harmful or Helpful” by Debra B Whitman also states some health benefits “pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance/salinity tolerance, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals” (Whitman, 3-9). GMOs may have health benefits, but they also come with some risks.
This lab was performed to explore and discover GMOs in food that were given to test. Our group used oats, a GMO positive food, and a test food. Our goal was to find out whether the test food was GMO positive or negative and to record data accordingly. I hypothesized that the test food will be GMO positive. To see if my hypothesis had been correct we performed the process of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), to find the presence of GMO positive or negative DNA in the foods. We first extracted the DNA from the foods, and then added primers to the DNA as well. I then inserted the DNA onto a gel using a micropipette. Using gel electrophoresis and a UV transilluminator we were able to view the staggering results.
modified organisms GMOs refers to organisms that have their DNAs altered or modified in order to achieve certain results. The term transgenic has also been used to refer to organisms whose DNAs have been altered in order to achieve certain results. An organism becomes a GMO when their DNA become altered through genetic engineering. There are different examples of GMOs ranging from plants to animals. Some of the common examples of GMOs include Corn grown in United States, Soy, Alfalfa and Sugar Beets among others (Landrigan & Benbrook, 2015).
“Proponents of GM foods counter that GM plants, with their built-in protections against disease, pests, herbicides, cold, drought, and floods will help increase food production worldwide and thereby stem the tide of worldwide hunger.” (Reyes CR111). Proof of genetic engineering are present in many cases. Plant geneticists are able to completely separate a single strand of DNA for pest resistance, which they can then inject into a separate plant. The plant into which the DNA strand is injected will then have the gene to which it resists pests. Therefore GMO’s work extremely well when trying to get rid of disease in
Pros and Cons of genetically modified food, or GMOs Genetically modified foods are a types of foods that have been genetically changed, to add or get rid of an unwanted trait in a food. For example, seedless oranges. This is a type of orange that is genetically modified (had tits genes changed) specifically so it would grow without seeds. Many foods are genetically modified today. Oranges, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, and many others have had their genes changed. In fact, the average person will eat at least one genetically modified food everyday without realizing it. According to a survey by USDA 26% of people asked believed that they had never eaten a genetically modified food.
Among the benefits, is that with GMOs malnutrition problems will be reduced remarkably. For instance, science has found ways to inject vitamin A into rice (referred to as Golden Rice), a process that helps prevent people from becoming
The Benefits of GM Food At first glance, the possibility an enhanced food supply promises many possibilities. Generally, GM foods are thought to be the solution the world hunger crisis. Today, the world’s total population exceeds six billion humans and continues to grow (Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?). In fact, the world population is predicted to double in the next 50 years. (Genetically Modified Foods). Meeting this need will prove to be a huge challenge, but research proves that GM food can ensure a food production schedule of 17% more food than necessary for each human daily (Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods).
Besides producing pesticide as a crop which inner of itself is astonishing, there is so much more you can do with GMOs that is beneficial to mankind and our environment. You could for example, produce plants with an increased rate of nutrients or even add additional nutrients that never ever existed in its initial state. On a larger scale, we could try to modify plants resilient
GM/GMO foods are foods that are genetically modified to do a specific task or resist bugs, pesticides, or diseases. They are created by altering, adding, or removing a DNA or gene. Monique Conrad says ‘Many fruits and vegetables that you find at the store have been genetically modified’. GM plant
Pros for genetically modified plants are good use in productions in are arguculture. GM will allow are fields and crops to formally produce more products to help feed more people. GM products also allows a longer shelf life in its products. Genetically modified plants also reduces the need of for pesticides and herbicides which is a form of insect repellents. The reduction of pesticides and herbicides will allow us as human beings to stop the Potential effects include cancer and the damage to the nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Another pro for genetically modified plants would be that the tecnology of GM will allow the plant to stand weather conditions so farmers wont loose there crops due to tempertures of different seasons.