Las 432 - Genetically Modified Foods Essay

In order for a person to make a smart logical decision regarding a pro or anti-GMO position one must understand what a GMO is. A plant that is genetically modified and then the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of one plant is forced into another kind of plant to be considered a GMO. This process takes place in a laboratory. It is not limited to just plants. Animals can also be modified. Viruses, insects, bacteria, humans, and animals can all supply the foreign DNA. Some researchers also refer to the process as Genetic Engineering(GE) (10 Reasons”).

Genetically modified crops are harmful to humans and the environment and shouldn't be used. Agriculture should proceed in harmony with nature and nature only. That is why some people have decided to buy organically grown food. From their experiences with organic food, they believe that the organic system can be economically practical. This system also provides a wide range of environmental and social benefits, and most importantly, it enables consumers to make a choice about the food they eat. According to Diana Brander, an American biology teacher, we should have the choice of the type of food we eat.

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.

As modern society shifts towards healthier alternatives to french fries and hot dogs, practices in the food industry that were once acceptable have begun to come under public scrutiny. Out of these issues, none are more controversial than the use of GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms. Since its first use in 1973, genetic modification has been applied to almost every crop imaginable. Countless fields of beans, rice, and corn have become subject to genetic modification as more and more farmers begin to realize the benefits of growing “super” plants. With so little drawbacks and so many advantages, it is easy to see why GMOs are as widespread as they are in today’s society.

The genetically modified organisms or GMOs are the animals and plants that are genetically modified in order to develop the useful or desired traits. The techniques used to carry out genetic modification are known as genetic engineering techniques. The recombinant DNA technology is used for creating a new set of genes by combining the DNA molecules from different sources. The DNA is transferred into the organism in question and

What is genetically modified food, and is it dangerous? According to Mather’s article, she explains, “Genetic modification refers to the manipulation of DNA by humans to change the essential makeup of plants and animals. The technology inserts genetic material from one species into another to give it a new-quality, such as the ability to produce a pesticide.” Mather also states, “These toxins can produce a serious impact on the health of animals and humans.” Yes, the United States food industry is corrupt when it comes to modified food however, their corruption has yet to be revealed. This corruption includes mistreatment of farm animals, exploitation of food workers, and the lack of nutrition in public schools. Although, all these areas

‘Genetically Modified Organisms’ is a huge topic today amongst health experts. It is a term commonly said, yet readily misunderstood. A genetically modified organism or GMO is typically an animal or plant whose genes have been spiced or replaced to create a new organism. The point of the splicing is to improve an organism’s phenotype, such as insect or infection resistant produce. Although GMOs have only recently become a big topic, humans have been consuming them for about two decades.

GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are plants that are developed through a process in which genes or genetic materials are copied from one plant or organism to another. Genetically modified seeds grow in the ground like any other seed, but GMO seeds have desirable traits that sets them apart from other seeds. These seeds grow into plants that may use water more efficiently, require less are land, or withstand pest such as bugs or weeds (“GMOs”).

Genetically modified organisms are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a lab through genetic engineering, also known as GE. This is a relatively new science, which creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that do not occur in nature, or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Most all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand a direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Moreover, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.

Genetically modified organisms are created by altering the genetic makeup of a certain plant or animal. Most genetically modified (GM) crops are produced to withstand the pesticides or herbicides that would normally kill them. This would never happen in nature, hence the reason for genetically modifying them. The artificiality of the process and the synthetic harm of the substances involved prove GMOs to possess significantly more complications than their supporters prefer to admit.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) entails a process whereby plants, animals, and microorganisms can be altered at the genetic or DNA levels in a way that does not occur naturally through mating or natural recombination. Human involvement in the natural selection process has been around since the dawn of humanity; originally in the form of specific animal breeding to gain better species with more adaptations for their specific uses. The arguments that surrounds the topic of Genetically Modified Organisms today include their safety, risks they pose to the environment, benefits gained, effects on natural evolvement, labeling of genetically modified organisms in our food and what legislation can be created to mandate such

This paper reviews the biotechnology of genetically modified (GM) foods, history, benefits and risks. Beginning with the history of biotechnology, the scientific explanation of genetically modified organisms and the risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified plants in agriculture, it provides an overview of GM foods. Plant biotechnology has been in use for the last thirty years in the United States and over 150 million hectares of GM plants are grown in 25 different countries around the world (Bertheau 2012). It is reasonable for consumers to have an understanding of GM foods and what they are eating on a daily basis. There is much controversy surrounding the ethical issues and attitudes regarding the use GM plants in our agriculture, however this paper will only focus specifically on the development of GM foods and the evidence-based risks and benefits.

Genetic engineering is the science of making changes to the genes of a plant or animal to produce a desired result (Anon., n.d.). Genetic engineering is being used by scientists for various projects. It is being used to explore and alter the human genome as well as the genomes of other animals and organisms. Genetic engineering is used to create GMOs. GMO is the abbreviation for genetically modified organism, this organism’s genome is altered, using genetic engineering, so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there (Anon., n.d.). At the moment seeds have been genetically modified to produce genetically modified crops such as GM soya and maize.

Most things are created in a specific place and certain systems are put in place as directed by nature. In the efforts to comprehend and deal with nature, humans have invented, engineered and manipulated nature in ways that often create unforeseen results. My grandmother used to say: “Do not mess with Mother Nature”, but now that, I think about it, I realize that we do mess with nature. I should perhaps say that we must mess with nature – hard-wired to constantly engineer the environment. Humans do this in order to produce something that will be better or healthier than its original design. One example of such “messing” with nature is genetically modified foods.

With an ever-growing population and the problems of world hunger, there has been a high demand for an increased food supply and a better food supply. Technology has been called upon to meet this challenge. The advent of genetically engineered foods, sometimes called transgenic crops or genetically modified foods, is not a new concept, but the controversy over it is. Can these "frankenfoods" be harmful to humans? What are their effects on the environment? The following paper will focus on such questions as well as providing a better understanding of what genetically modified foods are and how they should be regulated.