The Dangers Of Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s, are organisms that have had genes from a different organism implanted into their own genetic code in order to produce a new result (“Genetically engineered foods”). This practice has elicited polar responses across the globe, for a multitude of reasons. Besides the obvious reason, being the morality of changing an organism's DNA for human benefit, one frequently noted problem is the monopolization of GMO’s by the company Monsanto, whose name is nearly synonymous with GMO’s due to their involvement with these crops. Monsanto has been at the center of many controversies regarding GMO’s, and is even considered to be ranked third to last for reputation among all major American companies (Bennett). Most

The human body is not designed to handle all the toxins that are put into GMO products, and as consumers, we should be informed of the potential harm we are putting into our bodies. Helke Ferrie, in his article “Evidence Grows of Harmful Effects of GMOs on Human Health” states, “…all modern human diseases are being caused by environmental toxins of our own making” (12), on the contrary, in the journal “GMOs – A solution or a Problem”, Mark Lynas claims that “… there has never been a single sustained health concern [caused by GMOs]” (132). Ferrie mentions multiple studies where GMOs have proven to “…increase the incidence of cancer, diabetes, hormone disruption, neurological, immunological and other metabolic disorders” (12). After mass amounts of research have been conducted to prove the dangers of GMOs, proof that has been gathered of the detriments genetically modified organisms bring to the human liver; researchers conclude, “… anything that upsets the liver must be… exceedingly

Today about 90% of all GM crops grown in the U.S., and 40% grown worldwide, originate from a company called Monsanto (GM Food). The majority of GM crops consist of corn, cotton, canola, and soybeans. Monsanto started out as a manufacturer of artificial sweetener then developed into an agricultural chemical company that produces herbicides and pesticides. It has since become the leader in GM crops and a political powerhouse. Monsanto has spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the White House for support. This is one of the reasons why opponents have had such difficulties in opposing GM crops. Proponents of GM food believe GM crops are the next logical step in agriculture, and that the benefits could far outweigh the possible dangers (GM Food).

Farming policy of seed patenting should be abolished, and farmers should have the right to reuse seeds. The farming polices like seed patenting is eliminating ancient farming practices and controlling the food supply and the farmers, as journalists Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele revealed “Whoever provides the world’s seeds controls the world’s food supply” (165). Congress and seeds industries like Monsanto should not have the power to change the farming policies. The ancient farming practices of saving seeds from season to season is diminishing due to farmers buying seeds from Monsanto. Monsanto prohibits farmers to save seeds from their harvest and replant those seeds. Monsanto’s genetically modified (G.M.) seeds, that resist to its

The food industry utilizes genetically modified organism in almost every single product that one consumes. Americans tend to go with these food options because it is cheaper and easier to access. However, not only does this option contribute to the nationwide issue of obesity, it also damages the human body in the long run. As these discoveries are quite new to the country, there has not been enough time to survey and analyze the long-term effects of GMO consumption. The concern for the long-term negative consequences of the poison being fed may soon outweigh the benefits of the cheaper alternative. (Fukuyama 118). GMO consumption infiltrates the human body and plants a seed of unknown side effects for years to come. The world is unfamiliar with the long-term consequences and one will not be able to note until a couple of more

Organic farmers produce crops for a specific market without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic modifications (USDA). But since the introduction of GM seeds into the farming industry, organic farmers have started to see their crops fall victim to genetically engineered cross-contamination. Since products must not have any genetic modifications to become organically certified, this cross-contamination deems the organic crops unmarketable, resulting in the economic damage of organic farms (Wilson

"The process of genetic engineering always involves the risk of altering the genetics and cellular functioning of a food organism in unanticipated ways. These unanticipated alterations can result in GE foods being allergenic, toxic, or reduced in nutritional value". GMO ; genetically modified organisms is a process by which recombinant DNA is retracted and used to combine with another organisms DNA to either improve or restrain certain attributes in organism. The types of potential hazards posed by GMO’s vary according to the type of organism being modified and its intended application. This can be done to either live stock by enlarging the animal to an unhealthy size or even reducing the nutrition the animal receives thus killing the animal or plantation by creating herbicides or even bacteria by altering the bacteria to create a virus resistant which could potentially create put more lives at risk rather than saving them. The process of genetically modifying organisms may be efficient and less time consuming than organically grown organisms but it should not be used to enhance or limit any organisms as there are many negative risks that could potentially or fatally harm the organisms and the their environment.

Several of the companies that have been responsible for GMO crops and their negative effects on consumers have created the website gmoanswers.com in an effort to appear responsible by offering information about the good they believe GMOs crops offer to society. The website is funded by members of the Council for Biotechnology Information which includes BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta. What is most interesting is their claim to being dedicated to the responsible development and application of plant

Do you even know GMOs? Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) are genetically modified foods. Do you know the effects GMOs can have on your health or to your unborn child? GMOs can a devastating impact on your overall health. GMOs make up most of the American diet, although we as Americans don’t know whether what we are eating is a genetically modified food or not. Therefore, you don’t know if you are putting harmful toxins in your body or not. These toxins can lead to risks such as a food allergy reaction, an infection from antibiotic-resistant germs, and the potential for future generations to become infertile. Due to these risks, GMOs are not safe for consumption.

Now, the people in Western countries most affected by the infiltration of GMOs into the agricultural sector are the direct consumers of the GMO seeds and crops: farmers. Initially, farmers were forced to sign a legal agreement with Monsanto prohibiting them from saving some of the GE seeds for the next crop season (The World…). In order to enforce this, Monsanto made sure to obtain the rights, written into the contracts, to inspect and monitor the farmers’ fields; this led to many lawsuits against farmers (Mattera). Ultimately, due to the lack of labeling laws outlining the ingredients and processes used to cultivate GMO crops and the strict control of farm production, a group of U.S. and French farmers filed a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2000. They sued Monsanto for not fully disclosing the safety of seed use and

Did you know that 95% of the nation 's sugar beets, 94% of soybeans, 90% of the cotton and 88% of feed corn today are genetically engineered. According to the Institute for Responsible technology, Genetically Modified Organisms are the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. Today in the United States there are seven major genetically altered crops including Maize, Soybean, Cotton, Canola, Sugarbeet, Alfalfa, Papaya, and Squash. GMO’s came along by farmers having flaws with a crop, like if a tomato had a beetle every year and the farmer was spending large amounts of money on pesticides every year. Then a biotechnology company comes out with a tomato that produces its own natural pesticide, you would be nuts to continue in the old ways.

There is a lot of controversy around GMO’s, and some important points being made by both the pro-GMO and the anti-GMO sides. The movement known as March Against Monsanto organizes marches that raise awareness about Monsanto as a corporation that currently owns all of our food, and examines their past business deals regarding their integrity and chemical usage. It sheds light, not always regarding GMO’s, but regarding the dangers of having our

Another crucial way in which humans are harmed from genetically modified foods is obesity. Obesity stems from an abnormal diet with high calorie-dense foods which results in above average body fat. It is associated with increased risk of disease such as cardiovascular failure and liver cancer, disability and incapacitation from excess weight on the joints and bones, and even death from complications arising from the obesity – not the obesity itself. People are consciously ignorant about the foods they eat. “Obesity is the sixth most common disease worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion adults and 10% of children are considered obese” (Haslam). Obesity is a chronic

First of all, genetically modified foods can cause many health risks to living organisms and even to the human body. New diseases, allergies, and nutritional problems are just a few of the side effects that FDA scientists warned can be caused by genetically modified foods. Producing its own insecticide, genetically modified foods can cause damage to the brain, liver, pancreas, and intestines. In an experiment,where rats were fed potatoes that have been genetically modified, they had extremely smaller livers. In another experiment, when rats were fed the GM canola, they had 12 to 16 percent heavier livers than normal rats. There is also evidence that genetically modified soy causes liver damage in humans. Knowing this, 89% of soybeans that are sold in the United States are genetically modified. Smith says, “In the1980s, a contaminated brand of a food supplement called L-tryptophan killed about 100 Americans and caused sickness and disability to another 5,000 to 10,000 people” ( “Spilling the Beans: Unintended GMO Health Risks” NP). This proves that genetically modified foods are harmful and are not 100% safe. Bleeding stomachs are also another deadly effect of genetically modified foods. After rats were fed tomatoes that had been genetically modified, 7 out of the 40 died and 7 also had bleeding stomachs (Smith 24). Also, the genetic material from genetically modified soy transfers into bacteria and continues to function inside of our intestines.

First of all, genetically modified foods can cause many health risks to living organisms and even to the human body. New diseases, allergies, and nutritional problems are just a few of the side effects that FDA scientists warned can be caused by genetically modified foods. Producing its own insecticide, genetically modified foods can cause damage to the brain, liver, pancreas, and intestines. In an experiment,where rats were fed potatoes that have been genetically modified, they had extremely smaller livers. In another experiment, when rats were fed the GM canola, they had 12 to 16 percent heavier livers than normal rats. There is also evidence that genetically modified soy causes liver damage in humans. Knowing this, 89% of soybeans that are sold in the United States are genetically modified. Smith says, “In the1980s, a contaminated brand of a food supplement called L-tryptophan killed about 100 Americans and caused sickness and disability to another 5,000 to 10,000 people” ( “Spilling the Beans: Unintended GMO Health Risks” NP). This proves that genetically modified foods are harmful and are not 100% safe. Bleeding stomachs are also another deadly effect of genetically modified foods. After rats were fed tomatoes that had been genetically modified, 7 out of the 40 died and 7 also had bleeding stomachs (Smith 24). Also, the genetic material from genetically modified soy transfers into bacteria and continues to function inside of our intestines. Genetically