Technology 's Impact On Food

“Should We Care About Genetically Modified Foods?” by John N. Shaw appeared in Food Safety News issue of February 1, 2010, as a feature under the health section on the controversy between the pros and cons of genetically modified foods (Also known as GMO, genetically modified organisms). The main idea of this article is to inform people of the benefits of GMOs . The author, John Shaw received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Marketing from the University of Arkansas in 2007, where he was a “leadership scholar.” In addition to his studies, he has worked as a research assistant with Food Law LL.M. Director Susan Schneider, interned with Wal-Mart Government and Corporate Affairs division, the Arkansas Attorney General Public Protection Division, and with United States Senator Blanche Lincoln. John has a passion for Food Law, sports, and outdoors. In the article, he states, “ I submit that I am no scientist; merely an interested student.” According to the article, he is passionate and has done sufficient research about the topic to support his argument.

Dr. Praphul Joshi 10/23/2013 Controversial Public Health Issue There are several controversial issues confronting us today; from Universal Healthcare (Obama Care) to Stem Cell research, to vaccinations, to genetically engineered (GE)/genetically modified (GM) foods. However, I shall look at genetically modified foods as the controversial issue for this article. I shall look at an article from the mass media about this controversial public health issue and place emphasis on the message the document wants to convey and address any biases that may be within. In addition, I shall provide additional data or facts from another article to see if it supports or refutes the controversial message. It is my intention that this article will provide some clarity on genetically modified foods confronting us in the United States and the world over. Since the successful cloning of Dolly, the sheep, in July 5, 1996, Biotechnology has been praised and castigated at the same time.

Genetically modified foods, known as GMFs, are an extremely controversial subject. By definition, GMO’s are, “organisms whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.” Scientists genetically engineer these foods to, for example, contain an additional vitamin or weather withstanding qualities. Relatively recently, Kevin O’Leary, who was in favor of GMFs, and Rachel Parent, who was against them, had a televised debate on O’Leary’s talk show. While both sides proved valid points, O’Leary’s argument seemed the most convincing, with multiple data points and references. While genetically modified foods have many obvious benefits and drawbacks, the good seem to outweigh the bad on a global scale. GMFs can increase nutrition in third world countries, stop the world wide issue of waste, and even slow global warming and deforestation in our environment.

Recently, there has been controversy on whether GMOs are favorable, or synthetic and faulty. Although, many are not actually informed properly about what GMOs actually are. A GMO is a genetically modified organism, in which its DNA is taken and implanted into another plant or animal. Filmmaker, Jeremy Seifert, is quite precarious on the subject, considering there is not much we really know about these genes. Jeremy says “I suddenly felt uneasy about the food we were eating,” (Seifert). We are unaware of the health and safety risks that come with the use of these genes on everyday food items. It is evident that there is a mass amount of positives and negatives. However, the powerful weight of the negatives seem to have a larger impact than the positive ideas within it.

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.

When it comes to the foods we eat, we should all be fully informed on the potential benefits and dangers of every given product. Currently, there is a slow, but hard battle on the labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms, more commonly known as GMO’s. Some scientist and farmers may say that GMO production is beneficial to their finances; however, it is a health risk on humans, due to the chemical and genetic engineering done to foods that naturally give us the nutrients we need. In this proposal I plan to talk about the steps I will be taking to achieve my goal and to engage my audience through different types of media. I will also

There exists a debate over the use of genetically modified organisms to replace conventional food production techniques and the safety of the foods produced. In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of the general public and reported that out of a survey of 2,000 individuals 57% of individuals believed it unsafe to consume genetically modified foods, 25% considered it safe, and 6% either did not know or did not answer (Funk and Rainie). In sharp contrast to this statistic, when asked the same question, 88% of 3,748 scientists from the American Association for the Advancement of Science considered genetically modified foods to be safe (Funk and Rainie). This difference in percentages can be considered alarming, but also understandable. Genetically modified organism or genetically engineered are relatively new terms to come to the dinner table. In a world where hunter-gatherers, farmers, and agricultural interests have been the backbone of the development of most civilizations, it is not unfounded to be concerned when biotechnology steps onto the playing field. As aforementioned, genetically engineered crops became available for farmers in 1996, just 20 years ago (Fernandez-Cornejo, et al.). According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the majority of these seeds were engineered with the purpose of providing farmers with a solution to pest management, with the advent of herbicide-tolerant seeds as well as seeds with traits allowing the plant to produce

This paper will discuss two arguments presented in the documentary: GMOs should be labeled, and GMOs are bad for the human body, and the environment.

This paper explores the history, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). All of the examples exhibited explore different aspects of GMOs found in recent research. From growing GMO crops to the health factors of eating GMO crops, this investigation illustrates vital information to form one’s own opinion on GMO use. Most farmers are in support of GMO crops because they are produced quickly and in large quantities. Some consumers are in support of GMO crops because they are fairly inexpensive and can have desirable traits such as long shelf life. However, will the low price of GMO crops outweigh the possible diseases that GMO crops can cause to the human body or the negative environmental consequences? Another issue is the fact that Americans usually do not know what they are consuming due to lax labeling requirements. The food industry is rapidly changing with the addition of technology. GMOs are just one example of biotechnology being brought to the table. Keywords: Genetically modified organisms, GMO crops, health, consumers, environmental, biotechnology

Recently, the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has raised controversy in both the public and private sectors. Much of this relates to GMOs in food and crop and the potential consequences of consuming such produce on a large-scale basis as is becoming increasingly commonplace in the United States. These concerns, when coupled with the often concerning practices in animal feedlots, have begun to create almost a panic in the minds of consumers who find themselves questioning what they are eating. A greater understanding of genetically modified organisms, especially as it relates to food, is necessary for people to truly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the increased use of GMOs.

In recent years a controversy has broken out over genetically modified organisms. The concept of genetically modified (GM) crops is isolating the DNA of plants and taking the best traits of both plants and fusing them together to create a bigger, longer lasting, more efficient crop and increase land productivity. Some people believe them to be dangerous and others believe they are harmless and even beneficial. I also met a friend a few years back who is allergic to GMO. I decided to do my research paper on the topic of GMOs, whether or not they are harmful, and the different viewpoints people have concerning them. I chose to evaluate the Institute of Responsible Technologies’ article titled GMO Education written by Jeffrey Smith for my source critique, and assess how educational the source is on this topic.

Often when we eat something, we never really think about where the food is coming from and how it’s made. Have you ever wondered how McDonald’s French fries stay so fresh and don’t go bad even after a week? Most food in today’s agriculture is genetically modified. If you research about what a McDonald’s French fry, soybean and corn all have in common, you’ll find that they are one of the most commonly processed or genetically modified foods available in the market. “Genetically modified organisms or GMOs as it is called is when they alter the DNA of a fruit or vegetable.”1 In other words, genetically modified foods are created by artificially manipulating their genes. Thousands of people around the world are eating foods that are not natural and that they have no idea about. “The average supermarket stocks 30,000 to 40,000 food and beverage products; assuming that three-quarters of processed foods contains a genetically modified ingredient, the average U.S. supermarket stocks somewhere between 22,500 and 30,000 products that contain GM ingredients.”2 Genetic engineering all started in 1935 after a Russian scientist named Andrei Nikolaevitch first discovered DNA. Ever since, scientists have constantly been working on improving genetically modified foods and organisms. Over the years, the industry has led us to believe that genetic engineering and genetically modified foods are a natural breeding process that causes no harm but this is far from the truth. Genetically modified

Genetic engineering of food is surrounded with ethical issues or concerns. The main moral concern about genetic engineering of foods is based on the assumption foods produced from such means are harmful to the environment, health, and biodiversity (Weale, 2010). Skeptics on genetic engineering suggest that genetically modified foods are unhealthy and unsuitable for human consumption because their production process is often through unnatural means (Qaim, 2010). Those opposed to genetic engineering of food argue that foods which are genetically engineered might cause diseases such as cancer because the producers rely on genes created in the laboratory. It is further assumed that engineered foods pollute the traditional or natural plants and

What alarms the activist and pessimist is the safety of the genetically modified crops. But “more than 1,700 peer-reviewed safety studies have been published, including five lengthy reports from the National Research Council, that focus on human health and the environment. The scientific consensus is that existing GMOs are no more or less risky than conventional crops” (Popular Science). The GMO crops are produced through altering genes that have been modified from genes derived from traditionally grown crops. Through the studies, they have proven that the biotechnology of GMOs is as safe as traditionally grown crops. In “The most comprehensive study of

We as a human race have come a long way. We have made important innovations and discoveries that have helped us move on and improve as a whole. Either through improvements on engineering or medical technology, we have taken steps to improve our quality of life. We have experimented on many subjects and one subject I want to talk about are genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs. When we think of GMOs, we think of manipulative ways to change DNA in organisms using technology. This is partially correct except for the fact that we humans have been genetically modifying organisms for a long time. According to Abbie Goldbas in her 2014 article, humans have genetically modified animals about 12,000 BCE by choosing the best features for making crops or traits preferred in livestock (Golbas 2014). Genetically manipulating organisms through DNA is rather new and its concerning that we don’t know about the possible side effects of doing such techniques. There has been studies that contradict the “healthy” benefits of GMOs. Today in this speech I will talk to you first the effects/ problems the GMOs bring up, second the causes of those effects/ problems, and third the solutions we can make to fix those causes.