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Harmful Effects of Gmo

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The Harmful Effects of GMOs

According to Philips, altering the genomes plants and animals is nothing new; specific traits have long been selected artificially in order to produce the desire result; i.e. sweet corn or hairless cats (2008). However, these variations have been limited in that only naturally occurring variations have been used (Philips, 2008). In recent years, researchers have crossed the line from the natural to the unnatural; advances in the field of genetic engineering have allowed researchers to have complete control over what genetic changes take place and what the final product will look like, taste like, feel like, etc. Philips indicates that with modern technology, “…we can incorporate new genes from one species …show more content…

Although it appears that both sides have justifiable stances, after exploring both sides of the argument, it is evident that the risks and threats associated with using GMOs despite not knowing what the long-term effects might be, do not outweigh the means. The risks and threats of using GMOs will now be discussed.

The Harms Associated with GMOs There have been numerous reports revealing the negative and potentially disastrous effects of GMOs on the farming industry, individual health, and the environment. In 2009, the National Academy of Science released a report which detailed the negative effects associated with GM products; of these negative effects: “…new allergens, toxins, disruptive chemicals, soil polluting ingredients, mutated species, and unknown protein combinations into our bodies and into the whole environment” were listed (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen, & Salariya, 2012). Khan, Muafia, Nasreen, and Salariya provide a detailed report which goes into further detail regarding these hazards providing evidence which support the risk associated with GM products. Essentially, there are two categories of risks – health and environmental, which are discussed below. However, there is also a significant impact on farming that will also be discussed further below.
Health Risks Associated with GMOs In regards to health risks, Khan, Muafia, Nasreen, and Salariya provide a

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