The Controversy Of Genetically Modified Foods And Plants

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.

A genetically modified organism, GMO, has been altered by genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are widely used by scientists in many different ways to include the production of food and in research.8 Zebrafish genetically modified to be a fluorescent bright red, green and orange have been available for purchase as pets in 49 states in the United States since 2003.8 However, these patented GloFish are banned in California. The California Fish and Game Commission decided the fish were the result of a “trivial use for a powerful technology.”7 The Commission’s belief that the fish should not have been created led to a law making the GloFish illegal. Originally GloFish were developed by scientists in Singapore to be living pollution sensors as they would only glow when in the presence of pollutants.7 The Commission’s ban on GloFish highlights the controversy over genetically modified organisms and how public opinion can be swayed by the beliefs of others whether those beliefs are based on science or not. This paper will focus first on what genetic modification means and then will look at the pros and cons of genetically modified foods. Finally, the author’s opinion of the issue of GMO food will conclude the paper.

There is much controversy surrounding genetically engineered (GE) foods and the use of biotechnology. However, they offer many scientifically proven advantages that could have a dramatic impact on world hunger and our environment in the near future. At the same time, the public is asking many good questions and raising concerns about what long term negative effects genetically engineered foods may have on the population’s health and the environment. Never the less, based on the following list, the advantages biotechnology currently provides, seems to out way the potential disadvantages they could impose on our future.

the rise in advanced technology, Genetically Modified Foods were engineered and created. Not only were they new in the sense that it provided an easier source of growing, but it also brought ,with it, a new controversy across the world. Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) are created by moving a gene from one animal to another. An example of this would be moving the gene of an Icefish to a tomato to give the tomato a longer shelf life. GMOs were intended to help increase food production and help foods last longer however, GMOs have become very controversial because of their potential health and environmental effects. GMOs could have detrimental effects on the population and on the Earth.

The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily

Genetically modifying food has caused many controversy around the world for the way foods are modified. Most of the food we eat are canned, fresh, and ready to be eaten. Most of the food has also been genetically modified. Although modifying food has been used for many years, many countries have not adapted or want to genetically modify their foods. Genetically modifying food is a good and bad thing but there will always be different opinions about genetically modifying food, but one thing is for sure, genetically modifying food will increase more and more.

Producers have been manipulating DNA in the reproduction of their products before Gregor Mendel founded the modern understanding of genetics. Thus, genetically modified organisms -GMOs- are simply more advanced hybrids. The World Health organization defines GMOs as organisms in which their genetic information has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally (Blair, 2015). The controversy regarding genetically modified organisms has been prevalent not only in the agricultural community, but academic conversation as well. Although many organizations and individuals claim genetically modified organisms are malicious to human health as well as the environment, they are indeed the basis for healthy, sustainable agriculture that not only provide a quality product for the consumer, but a safe and nutritious product as well.

"Biotechnology involves any technique that uses living organisms or parts there of to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals or to develop micro organisms for specific uses" (Dr Sriwatanapongse, www.afic.org)

Modified foods have been a hot topic for years. The term genetically modified foods (GMF’s) or genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) is used to refer to animals or plants that have been genetically altered for human or animal consumption. Although genetically modified foods is relatively new, the prevalence of GMF’s in U.S grocery stores is much more than what people thought. It seems like consumers don’t like the fact that their food has been modified or played with, they want to know what is in the things they consume, even if what’s hidden seems to be good. . Why do people have different ideas about modified foods and they really as bad as they look? One reason would be that GMF’s have never been researched on there long in case they oppose some health risks, for if it ever turned out to be dangerous it will be already too hard to go back. Most of the stuff we buy has been genetically altered like breads, candy, most cereals, and pastries. Consumers in many countries have many different views about this topic. A lot of countries banned GMO’s products in their stores, and in countries where they are allowed, people are marching to boycott these products. Genetically modified foods is a great invention for human beings, and can greatly help us in many ways, yes there is some issues here and there, but that’s how we improve.

Farming has transformed so much over the years. Six thousand years ago, farmers had holding pens and growing fields (Shmaefsky 1). In today's world farming is not that simple. Since farming has transformed, larger operations are taking away a lot of the mom and pop farms, and making them big industrial farms. Another change is the restaurant industry, which grew in the 1950s, causing the need for more crops, but in a shorter amount of time (Shmaefsky 37). Farmers are using Genetically Modified Organisms to farm more and at a quicker rate.

GM/GMO foods are foods that are genetically modified to do a specific task or resist bugs, pesticides, or diseases. They are created by altering, adding, or removing a DNA or gene. Monique Conrad says ‘Many fruits and vegetables that you find at the store have been genetically modified’. GM plant aren’t new, but GM animals are so a lot of research needs to be done before they can be sold to the public.

Genetically modified crops are a controversial issue to many people. GMO’s have both pros and cons. Due to increasing demand for food genetically modified crops have been more effective because they are designed to produce more yield and be pest resistance. Some downfalls of GMO’s are that they decrease biodiversity and the long term effects of GMO’s are still unknown. I believe that genetically modified foods should be labeled, because people have the right to know what is in the foods they are eating. If the GMO foods are labeled then people have the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want to eat genetically modified crops. Many consumers want to buy healthy foods at the grocery store so they go out of their way to buy local

If you feed a machine bad fuel it still might run, but not as good as if you gave the machine good fuel see humans' bodies are like machines and if you feed your body unhealthy food which Is like bad fuel it won't run at its best. Food is very important and society doesn't really pay attention to what they're eating or how eating, certain things can affect their lives and health. Some serious problems people have with food is eating disorders another would be eating genetically modified foods. People turn to fast food because it quick however it is not the healthiest option. The industries are getting kids hooked on their products which lead to an unhealthy addiction. Food can benefit the human health if you eat healthy and eat right with

  You may know about the emerging field of biotechnology - the medicine, the ethics, the DNA, the Human Genome, etc.  But few realize the emergence of its agricultural branch, and the international conflict that has arisen from it.  It may apply to you more than you thought, for half of the soybean products and a quarter of the corn you ate in 1999 may have been genetically modified (Kaufman A6).  Genetically modified crops (commonly referred to as GMOs) are crops whose characteristics have been altered to produce a favorable trait, whether it be prolonged freshness, a more attractive appearance, or pesticide resistance (Activist 1).  Genetic alteration is the act of inserting a gene,

The use of genetic engineering techniques in agriculture and food production is seen as an exciting and valuable development by many people who welcome the improvements in production efficiency that they offer to farmers and the enhanced nutritional value that is envisioned to benefit consumers. Others, however, are objecting strongly, raising environmental, food safety, and ethical concerns. A majority of people in Western Europe, Japan and Australia, for example, want at least to have labels on products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while the most extreme opponents want to see genetically modified (GM) crops completely excluded from production and consumption in their country.