Genetically Organisms And The Human Body

In the essay “Genetically Modified Food: Watching What We Eat,” by Julie Cooper, she argues against the rampant use of genetically modified food (GMO) without any current form of regulation. Cooper discusses the possibility of health risks to those consuming foods with altered genes and the food’s capabilities to have far-reaching health risks. She continues with a discussion as to how and why the creation and use of the GMOs have become so unregulated. She then discusses the response, which is the public’s cry for their right to make informed choices. Other topics discusses are the political, environmental, and corporate ramifications of the rise of GMOs.

“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.” – Ursula K. Le Guin. No matter what good some people believe they are doing, everything seems to come with a consequence, and the question is whether or not the good overpowers the bad. Many experts argue that Genetically Modified foods are actually beneficial to, not only people, but animals, plants, and the world overall. Some experts even state that, not only are they beneficial, but that they also protect the environment and aid food productivity. Most farmers actually recommend GMO’s because they are easier to grow, maintain, and tend to be more profitable; however, countless other experts have come to realize that GMO foods are untested, unsafe, and unhealthy. Studies indicate that

Arvanitoyannis and "Safety Assessment and Countermeasures of Genetically Modified Foods," by Bin Du and Feng-Mei Zhu. With the two sources, I will provide the necessary information my audience needs to understand the health risks behind GM food along with the potential ways to counteract GM food, such as labeling before I attempt to present my claim to my audience. Lastly, in a source by Hiyam Al-Rousan, et al., will provide information that GM food is everywhere. Although we can pass a law to label GMOs, it would still be possible GM toxins and chemicals would still exist in label non-GM produce without a proper monitoring policy that checks if the labels on food are correct. All the sources will give more reason to why my audience should believe my claim and to continue

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.

The food industry utilizes genetically modified organism in almost every single product that one consumes. Americans tend to go with these food options because it is cheaper and easier to access. However, not only does this option contribute to the nationwide issue of obesity, it also damages the human body in the long run. As these discoveries are quite new to the country, there has not been enough time to survey and analyze the long-term effects of GMO consumption. The concern for the long-term negative consequences of the poison being fed may soon outweigh the benefits of the cheaper alternative. (Fukuyama 118). GMO consumption infiltrates the human body and plants a seed of unknown side effects for years to come. The world is unfamiliar with the long-term consequences and one will not be able to note until a couple of more

There is a general scientific agreement that food from genetically modified crops is not inherently riskier to human health than conventional food, but should be tested on a case-by-case basis.[138][139][140][141] No reports of ill effects have been proven in the human population from ingesting GM food.[138][142][143][144] Although labeling of GMO products in the marketplace is required in many countries, it is not required in the United States and no distinction between marketed GMO and non-GMO foods is recognized by the US FDA. In a May 2014 article

We have been participating in a mass scale biotech agricultural experiment for over twenty years. Since the mid-1990s the U.S population has been consuming Genetically Engineered (GE) foods or foods that contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) without having done enough research to assess its long time effects on humans. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), agency responsible for protecting the public’s health and safety, “genetic engineering is the name given to certain methods that scientists use to introduce new traits or characteristics to organisms.” In other words, scientists modify the structure of plants or animals by removing some of their DNA material; or by inserting that

More than sixty countries have a ban, labeling, or restrictions of some sort on genetically modified foods (). The United States is not amongst them. Originally GMOs were introduced to create better yields, tolerate droughts and increase nutrition (). Today GMOs have excided beyond the standards of the past. 80% of the foods sold in the U.S. today are genetically modified. This group of foods include alfalfa, corn, canola, cotton, sugar beets, soybeans, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, oil, golden rice, salmon and many more().

In the United States today we consume genetically modified organisms in nearly everything we eat, and some of us are not even aware of it. Even though GMO’s have been around for nearly two decades, only recently they have been getting increasingly more attention. The author of The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods explains that “genetic modification refers to the manipulation of DNA by humans to change the essential makeup of plants”(Mather). However, a large portion of the American population is concerned about whether or not they should be wary of these new advancements in produce, if they should allow their food to be produced the way it has been done for centuries, and if they even have a choice. These are the concerns that are

“All the food we eat - every grain of rice and kernel of corn - has been genetically modified. None of it was here before mankind learned to cultivate crops. The question isn 't whether our food has been modified, but how” (Specter, Michael). Because there are various GMOs on the world, it is crucial that mankind doesn’t rule out all GMOs but carefully evaluates each GMO. More specifically the health risks, ecological risks, and societal benefits should be tested on each individual GMO. Not only, should the composition of these seeds be tested, but also the process of how these seeds grow. For example, the insecticides and pesticides used on GMOs should be tested prior to the release of these crops to the

Think back to the last meal you had; now think about how much of that food you consumed was genetically modified . Around 80% of today’s processed food contains genetically modified organisms, otherwise known as GMO’s. If you have never questioned where the food you consume on a daily basis comes from, it is time to start questioning. A genetically modified organism is a new version of a plant or animal that is created by altering genes using biotechnology . Today, more than 40 types of plants have been genetically modified and on the market to buy . An astonishing 90% of Canola, 88% of Corn and 94% of soy are GM . The FDA claims that GMO’s are nothing to worry about, and that it is perfectly healthy to consume food that is

With new technology being utilized in the medical, agricultural, and economic aspects of daily living, numerous perilous concerns have risen against the proper usage and non-maleficence of these high-tech mechanics. For about a decade now, genetically modified foods have occupied the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores across the nation. The ample amount of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have sparked many affairs regarding the impact they have on one’s health. The detonation of GMOs, according to the Institute for Responsible Technology, is “the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species (bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or humans) are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal (Smith).” The timeline of GMOs is rather short, with the DNA being first discovered by Russian scientist Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky in 1935. It wasn’t until 1982 that the extracted DNA was approved by the FDA. Hamlin, a form of insulin derived from E. coli, is now permitted to be genetically engineered into produce and meat products. GMO induced foods hit the grocery store in 1994, and the industry rapidly expanded and became the dominant crop by 1999 (Shireen, 2013). A vast majority of processed foods contain GMO-induced ingredients; there is no getting away from them and their harms unless new regulations are set to prevent their sale.

Lately, regardless of where anyone looks whether at their local market or in their local grocery store, there is someone selling Genetically Modified Organisms/Genetically Engineered (GMO/GE) foods. GMO’s/GE’s can come in a range of different varieties from fresh vegetables and fruits to various medications or even flowers. Numerous individuals do not think twice about what they buy, but as the trend of GMO’s/GE’s continue, these individuals might have to think twice about the effects. However, depending on how they utilize GMO’s/GE’s, they can and have already contributed to both beneficial and damaging effects. Scientists though, continue to look towards the future of food where one day they believe the benefits will out way the dangers

One can argue that genetically modified crops are essential in today’s world. The rapidly growing global population creates an immense demand for crops, and with the amount of available land for agriculture in steady decline; it is imperative that each acre yields the maximum amount of crops possible. The book Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops by Ferry, N. & Gatehouse, A. argues that the “…increasing demands on natural resources and food production, has made the use of new technologies such as GM crops in the agricultural sector essential in many world areas” (Ferry, N. & Gatehouse, A. 2009, P. 70). If genetically modified crops were harmful to consume, then surely they would not be so commonly adopted and essential in many parts of the world. Genetically modified crops are so common that according to Melissa Harris-Perry of MSNBC, 94% of Soy is genetically modified in the US along with 90% of cotton, 95% of sugar beets and 88% of corn (M. Harris-Perry, MSNBC, April 28, 2013). To further advocate for the safety of genetically modified food, Ramez Naam, a professional technologist and author of The Infinite Resource asserts that major scientific bodies such as The National Academies of Science, The American Medical Association and even the French Supreme Court could not find evidence that GMOs are harmful when consumed by humans. It is the reason why genetically modified foods “haven’t required labels thus far” (R. Naam, MSNBC, April 28, 2013). Genetic

Much of the public concern surrounding the safety of GMOs stems from the process of actually creating them. This is admittedly not a natural process, which is a surefire way to raise critic’s eyebrows in doubting their safety. However, there is no evidence that supports these myths. The Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops, The National Academy of Science, and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Recourses all agree after extensive testing and observation that there is no additional harm in the consumption of GMO food. The research conducted in animal studies, as well as chemical analysis of the crops, show no indication that GMOs are negatively affecting human health. The next allegation hurled at GMOs is that they may have