Scott Fowler
BIOL 270
Capstone Paper
4/25/16
Human Health and the Environment: GMOs
Introduction: What is the issue?
What is a GMO? If you were to ask your average person on the street, they would probably tell you that they know they’re bad, but don’t know what they are. Many people know it has something to do with “genetics” or “modification,” but what sort of genetics? And how or why are these things being modified? Put simply, GMO is an acronym for Genetically Modified Organism. GMO and genetically engineered organism are frequently used synonymously. According to the Non-GMO Project (2016), genetically modified organisms are “organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic
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On the other hand, there are several causes for concern when it comes to GMOs. This has led to the formation of groups like the Non-GMO Project, Millions Against Monsanto, GMO Free Project USA, U.S. Right To Know, and Food and Water Watch. These groups and organizations have a variety of goals, but mostly focus on fighting corporate control of American agriculture, advocating for clean and healthy food, seeking transparency and accountability within our nation’s food system, and educating consumers about the perceived dangers of GMOs (GMO-Awareness.com, 2014).
Many consumers are against GMOs because they are not natural, they are created by companies that seek to control the American agriculture system, growing them damages our environment, and many believe there are significant health risks yet to be discovered. Although the issue of using GMOs in American agriculture and food is quite complex and controversial, the science behind creating a genetically modified organism is fairly straight-forward.
What is the science involved?
There are several basic steps to creating a genetically modified organism, but before we get to that, let’s take a look at the history behind GMOs. The predecessor to modern day genetic engineering was artificial selection, or selective breeding. Although the science is much different, the idea of selecting a desirable trait and influencing the DNA of the organism to express that trait
GMOs, (genetically modified organisms) have been a topic of interest in the social eyes for years. Since they’ve been created, many people have voiced and written about their opinions on GMOs, and whether they are dangerous or not. Created to expand the genetic diversity of crops and animals, many don’t know whether GMOs are good or bad, and neither do researchers. Though there hasn’t been any evidence claiming whether GMOs are good or bad, it has certainly not stopped the public from creating their own opinions. Since no one knows the truth behind GMO, it has opened a window of opportunities for companies including Monsanto to voice their support of GMO, while other companies like the Non-GMO Project voice their
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GMOs usually have been altered from another organism such as bacterium, plant, virus, or animals. They are also referred to as “transgenic organisms.” GM seeds are engineered in laboratories to have certain traits such as resistance to herbicides. 75-85% of foods contain GM ingredients. The majority of the country’s corn and soybean crop is now genetically modified. Corn and soybeans are also made into popular processed food ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. Not enough is known about the risks of GMOs. Consumers should have the right to know what’s in their foods and if it is genetically modified (“Genetically Modified”).
What is a GMO? A genetically modified organism that has had its DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering (Lallanilla). Most GMOS are modified from another organism. These organisms could be an animal, virus, bacterium, or a plant. They are called "transgenic" organisms.
GMO is a genetically modified organism, which is a process to try and form a better product. Most organisms that are genetically modified are agricultural. Many everydays foods such as, corn, squash, and milk. Some may wonder why we have GMO’s. We have GMO’s, because scientist believe that genetically modified organisms could produce a healthier product for people to consume.
GMOs are genetically modified organisms (Goldbase). In 1865 Gregor Mendels discovered the breeding of peas, the foundation to GMOs. By the 1970s through 1990s, GMO advanced, making animals double their original size, and doubling crops. ("A Brief History of Genetic Modification") They are made by messing up the plant or animals DNA in dangerous ways. DNA is taken from one organism and made to fit into another. Scientist figured out what DNA they want and configure its sequence ("The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"). All this leads to an un-safe and untested combination of DNAs and their
The public has grown intimidated by GMO’s and have come up with a myth of how harmful these modifications are to humans. It’s been seen in documentaries, and heard through advertisements but where did it all come from? The fear of eating something naturally made then transformed to fit societies need created the myth: GMOs are bad for people. With this mindset, people will willingly reject foods after they find out it has been “modified”.
GMO’s stand for “genetically modified organism” (Google). They are foods that we encounter almost every day. “Although nine out of ten scientists from the American Association for the Advancement of Science say GMOs are "generally safe" to eat” (fact about GMO’s). That still doesn’t mean that they are good for us. Genetically modified foods were created with the intention to improve overall quality of life. However, they are associated with various environmental, health, and economic risks that render them to be more harmful than helpful.
GMO foods were designed for various reasons; for instance, to enhance growth, resist parasites, hold longer shelf life, and hold a higher nutritional value. Controversy of GMOs is still prevalent, as they have been able to consume for over 20 years. Many are concerned because of the
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,
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.
Some believe that GMOs are harmful to the consumer because they do not like the idea of having chemicals injected into their fruits and vegetables, yet there has been hundreds of test done to show that GMOs are completely safe and are not harmful to humans in anyway. Tests have been conducted and independently funded by The World Health Organization, The FDA and many other huge food science companies. In the past 30 years that GMOs have been in us there has not been one case tying a cancer or any type of illness to GMOs, the unease about GMOs is merely based on theories with no facts to back those theories up.
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
Controversies and public concern surrounding GM foods and crops commonly focus on human and environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction and environmental conservation. (Bawa, 2012). Safety concerns for genetic engineering can cause various regulations intended to prevent environmental and health problems (Bawa, 2012). Concern from consumers has been expressed for GMOS because several agricultural practices, such as the widespread use of DDT in past decades, have caused serious problems that were unintended and unexpected (Old Citation: Brill, 1985).
Imagine, if you will, something that can protect our food from pests. Something that saves our water resources by watering our crops less. Imagine something that allows us to feed more people and grow more food. This, among many other things, is what the GMOs claim to fame is. What actually is a GMO? In recent years the conversation about this topic has increased significantly for good or ill. We hear amazing things about GMOs, all the potential benefits for mankind and our food. Conversely, we hear very negative things about GMOs and how it adversely affects our food and the people eating these foods. What is the truth? What do the facts says, and what is the world doing about GMOs? This paper will discuss what a GMO is, the labeling of GMOs and the controversies surrounding GMOs. These three topics will lead to a better understanding of the GMO debate.
Research are making efforts to confront GMO organizations. Natural foods, fruits , un modified healthy food are being produced often, as well as markets are starting to convey organization the demands of healthy foods. Such as Goodness Me , Whole Foods, Bulk Barn, Healthy Planet,Feel Good Natural Health store be-leave in health, they market natural fruits,foods, grains, juices,meats that are free of GMO preservatives ...and to avoid GMO you can cook your own foods, cook from scratch, buy organic in local places .We have a responsibility and We have a choice to stay healthy; if we want quality then we must to spend money