Genetically Modified Organisms ( Gmo )

Genetic modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms that, through the genetic engineering process, have been altered to withstand certain chemicals and increase the nutritional value of the product. In fact, the majority of the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. Genetic modification is becoming increasingly popular on farms throughout the United States and moving into other parts of the world due to their increasing yield capabilities and pest and weed control. However, this has been, and continues to be, an extremely controversial topic of discussion in the world of agriculture and biotechnology, as well as health food critics, because of potential environmental and health risks.

A new kind of foods called the genetically modified foods has been creating a quiet revolution in the American market for the past several years. Scientists are able to produce these new foods by transferring genes from one organism into another across species boundaries. This new technique has been developed to improve the shelf life, nutritional content, flavor, color, and texture of foods. Since 1994, about 45 genetically modified foods such as tomato, corn, soybeans, canola, and potatoes have been marketed in the United States. About two-thirds of foods that are processed in U.S. contain genetically modified ingredients. So, we the people are consuming these foods without realizing the fact that they are not produced naturally.

Biotechnology has been lauded as the future of agriculture. However, the business leaders and scientists involved in biotech did not predict how controversial genetically modified foods would be. Despite all the promises and merits proclaimed by research by different biotech companies and the governments like reduced pesticide usage, higher crop yields, the controversy surrounding its application to food production persists in many nations. One of the key issues that have surrounded the GM debate is the labeling of GM products. While some countries require the labeling of such products, others do not. This paper examines how labeling of genetically modified foods affects consumer willingness to purchase such products. By reviewing past

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.

With numerous developments plaguing agricultural production, the implementation of Genetically Modified Organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs, is best suited to be used in food manufacturing. It is estimated that by the year 2050, global food production must increase by seventy percent. However with current practices in place and the limited expansion of farmland due to urbanization, such production rates are nearly impossible to achieve. The use of Genetically Modified Organisms seems to be among the only feasible options to rapidly increase food production and thus aid in this crisis which plagues even though most developed countries, such as the United States. Specifically in the United States, the use of Genetically Modified Organism

What exactly is the controversy surrounding genetically modified foods and plants? An immense amount of advocacy for and against the implementation of genetically modified method in the development of food and the agricultural development of crops and plants. The intention of this report is to definitively explore both aspects of advocacy surrounding genetically modified foods and plants or crops. As their is a significant population of individuals, organizations and groups that strongly support the use of genetically modified methods, there are an equally great population that adamantly defies and warns against the implementation, deployment and overall use and consumption of genetically modified foods and plants or crops.

In the last thirty years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been used for in the production of medicine and food and are widely used in scientific research and the production of other products (Junod, 2009). A GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, including mutation, insertion, or deletion of genes (Nelson, 2010).

It can be difficult to discern as to why there is so much controversy over genetically modified ingredients within our food supply. I myself have heard so many accounts of the opposing sides to this debate and some things can get misconstrued along the way. The article “FAQs about GMOs” by Jean Halloran presents specific questions and answers related to the topic of genetically modified foods, or GMOs. Includes the effects that GMOs have on consumers’ health, social aspects of labeling GMOs, and environmental influences of GMOs.

With the increased amount of publicity, genetically modified organisms have recently been under harsh scrutiny and criticism. Consumers around the world are concerned whether or not consuming these newly modified organisms have any long term or short term health effects. “An exhaustive new study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, found “no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops,”(Hall). This experiment showed that there are no alarming effects for consumers to worry about when consuming genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops have been consumed for over twenty years now without causing any increase in health problem in the populations that consume them. These products are some of the most tested and safest agriculture products out there today. All of the testing done on genetically modified crops and their safety is monitored by the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). Across the board with so many different agencies committed to reviewing testing of GMOs these products and organisms are undoubtedly safe

The results of these surveys showed that many of the agricultural professionals had little knowledge of genetically modified foods. It also showed that they did not see many benefits or risks. The conclusions of this case study were that these professionals’ minimal knowledge would have a negative impact on behavior toward genetically modified foods. If the level of knowledge and awareness of the benefits of genetically modified foods was increased, there would also be an increase in acceptance of these foods. Though, not necessarily increase the likelihood of buying genetically modified foods. On the other hand, if agricultural professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the risks increased, it could lead to a decreased willingness to buy these foods. The authors suggest that knowledge of genetically modified foods needs to be increased as well as concerns answered. They emphasize that convincing agricultural professionals of the safety of genetically modified foods is key in public acceptance.

Every county has their own roles and responses to GM foods. According to the new survey indicate that 42% of the public attitudes think GM foods are safe while 13.7% thinks they are not(Public perception towards genetically modified organisms,2015, P2). We can’t identify that there is only one react toward GM foods. Moreover, the result occurs that although people generally believe that GM foods are safe, they are still not sure to consume it in their daily lives foods. In addition, consumers attitudes toward GM foods is largely unknown, they need to balance information on benefits and risks to obtain the real facts of GM foods because results generally suggest that when no direct advantage is provided to consumer, fear or concern to GM food will increase day by

First, the understanding of a GMO needs to be established before moving forward. A GMO, short for Genetically Modified Organism, is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant, or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or even humans. Because this involves the transfer of genes, GMOs are also known as "transgenic" organisms. (Institute, July 1, 2015)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is an ongoing controversial issue. GMOs are plant or animal DNA that has been altered to something one would not generally find in nature. The big controversy with genetically modified foods is the unknown. GMOs made their way on the market in 1994, since then there have been speculations with its long-term health effects on humans, and the environment. There has been a split between the consumers, corporations, scientist, and the government because consumers believe they are being lied to. According to the article, “Scientific Controversies as Proxy Politics” by Daniel J. Hicks he states, “88% of scientists said that genetically modified foods are safe to eat, but only 37% of the public agreed” (67).

Consumer attitudes towards genetically modified organisms vary by education level, income level, age, gender, and race. A study was performed to find a correlation between these factors. The subjects of the study were students, faculty, and staff from Monclair State University. Survey questions included demographics, what they already know about GMOs, how they feel about them, and their behaviors when buying food. The results of the survey concluded that there is a positive correlation between a person’s feelings about GMOs and behaviors when shopping, a person’s knowledge and their feelings, and a person’s knowledge and behavior. The more knowledge a person has about genetically modified organisms the less negative their beliefs become. The

“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.