The Impact Of Genetically Modified Organisms On Farmers

“70 percent of our corn farmland and 93 percent of soy farmland are planted with crops genetically engineered to resist pests and herbicides and increase crop yields. 60% of all the processed foods in the United States are genetically modified; a shocking statistic has the concern of many Americans. However, most people are uninformed about the beneficial impact that genetically modified food has on their diet. GM is the use of molecular biology technology to modify the inherited structure of organisms. Genetically engineered crops increase nutrients, drought tolerance, provide more food for growing populations, and resists diseases and pesticides. Genetically engineered foods are crucial to the improvement of economy, agriculture, society, and health choices. The creation of GM foods was one of the most significant breakthroughs in food industry. Genetically modifying foods is a key component that is harmless for the enrichment of our foods.

Genetic engineering is already providing a more stable solution for agricultural production in the economy to stand on. In nine years (i.e. 1996-2005), profits from genetically modified crops were twenty-seven billion dollars. Those twenty-seven billion dollars were not just in the United States or countries like it, but the profits almost split half and half between first and third world countries (O'Neill 19). In India, for example, cotton yields have jumped to one hundred-fifty percent from the use of genetically modified crops, vastly increasing the farmers’ profits (19). The planting of these crops can really help farmers know what they are going to make every year and plan accordingly. Also, helping the farmers’ expenses is the lack of chemical pesticides needed on the crops and reducing time spent using the pricey traditional breeding methods (Mannion and Morse 749-751). Even if genetically modified crops are not planted in every field, adjoining fields can benefit due to the “halo effect.” The “halo effect” is the ability of pest protection on the genetically modified crops to affect the non-genetically modified crops due to the lack of insects in the genetically modified field (754). Genetically modified crops affect the economy in a positive way and should be seen as a smart

However, these risks are purely speculative: 81 separate studies costing approximately $65 million have been conducted by the European Commission alone and have shown no evidence of any risk linked to GM foods (1). Indeed, the U.S. has concluded that the risk of GM crops is minimal. As a result, in the U.S., genetically altered crops accounted for 93% of planted soybeans and cotton and 86% of corn in 2009. (2). Considering the success and benefits of GM crops in America, developing countries have followed suit. In 2009, India planted 84,000 square kilometers of genetically modified cotton, and Brazil planted 214,000 square kilometers of GM soybeans, a 26% increase from the year before (3). Like the U.S., these countries conducted a risk-benefit analysis and concluded that the economic, health, and food surplus benefits of GM crops offset the unproven risks (4). Thus, agricultural biotechnology is being implemented in farming techniques throughout the world.

According to the World Health Organization, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are “organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination” (WHO). Genetically enhancing organisms is not a new process; humans have selectively bred

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a chemical organism processed in a laboratory where genes from the DNA of the crops are extracted and then artificially forced into an unrelated product that, when put into the crops the farmers raise, can chemically change the makeup of the crop. The chemical makeup can be from the change in the skin color of the crop to the actual organic chemistry compound. Genetic engineering is the process of splicing the genes in the crop and taking out a certain chemical on the compound to substitute the original compound. The practice of genetic engineering has been around since 1935 when the Russian scientist Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky isolated pure DNA, and is being used by many farmers and large international corporations (Shireen). For example, a tomato farmer changes the genes of the tomato to prevent a beetle from eating it. However, genetically modified organisms are becoming detrimental to our bodies and health and there are ways the government can help Americans eat healthier by labeling products with genetically modified organisms.

Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug pushed the boundaries of conventional farming through biotechnology. He bred crops with desirable characteristics to manipulate the DNA. He is credited for saving billions of lives. This proves that a genetically modified crop or organism can be safe and can help conquer world hunger. This leads into how U.N. agencies discuss hunger crisis. “Essentially, biotechnology improves the characteristics and requirements of food crops through manipulation of plant DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid], or genetic engineering, creating a GMO. Such plants have better insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, and the sustainability of cultivation is increased by minimizing use of pesticides and fertilizers” (Weisser). This can change how we protect crops without using pesticides. Still scientist all over the world are looking for many ways to help world hunger. GMO’s are one of those ways. They are not as bad as people see them. One day GMO’s will save the

As with anything in nature, modifying an organism’s intended or natural use can either bring beneficial uses or harmful ones. Monsanto has led the industry for genetically modified seeds, and because of this, is held under much scrutiny for what good or bad they may bring to society. The benefits of growing GMO seed are, on the surface, pretty obvious. They allow farmers to grow bigger and more stable crops, as resistance to insects and weeds plays a pivotal role in the yield farmers see each season. Furthermore, GMO seed can help areas that typically struggle to produce a harvest, such as Africa. Conner, Glare and Nap (Conner, T., & Nap, 2003) note that “the risk of not using GM crops, particularly in relation to developing countries where the technology may have most to offer, should be considered.” (pg.

The above statements are among many of the claims made by critics of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Genetically modified crops (GMCs) are organisms that have had their genetics selectively altered in order to increase crop size, harvest, resistance to certain insects or diseases, or any combination of the above and more. However, a genetically modified organism does not just apply to crops, it also applies to animals being raised for human consumption, such as livestock, poultry, and fish. The premise of genetically modified animals (GMAs) is similar to that of GMCs, as GMAs are animals that have had their DNA selectively changed to produce larger, faster growing animals.

“Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This can be referred to as “modern biotechnology” (Genetically Modified Organisms Production, Regulation, and Marketing 66). It allows scientists to take specific genes from one organism, and place them into another organism. For example, scientists could take a gene from a plant that is more drought resistant, and place it into another plant that is more susceptible to droughts. This method is used to make GM foods or genetically modified foods. There are numerous benefits to genetically modified foods.

“Growing GM foods…can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market.” (Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?) Every year, farmers lose crops as a result of insects and other pests. These loses require farmers to utilize pesticides when growing crops to ensure production. There have been more and more health risks discovered from the consumption of foods treated with these chemicals.

LD₅₀- In toxicology, the median lethal dose, LD₅₀, LC₅₀ or LCt₅₀ of a toxin, radiation, or pathogen is the dose required to kill half the members of a tested population after specified test duration

There are negative consequences to GMO’s just as there are also numerous advantages that need to be recognized. Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms that have been modified artificially through genetic engineering to enhance and introduce desirable traits. “Gene transfer technology is simply a sophisticated version of a cut-and-paste operation. Once the desired gene is identified in the native organism's genome, it can be cut out, transferred to the target plant, and pasted into its genome” (Learn Genetics, Genetic Science Learning Center). This process is vital in innovating the agricultural field. With just 2% of the population feeding the other 98%, and at a population of 7 billion these numbers are staggering. Statistics show that 795 million people (1/9th of the world's population) suffer from poor nutrition, and this same issue is causing nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five. These

GMO foods can protect anyone who eats them from disease and famine. GMO food products are manufactured to give the consumer a healthier option for buying groceries, assist the economy, and benefitting the producer by using less time to try meeting demands. In fact, the consumer and the producer benefit from costs being low, and supply meeting demand. Citizens obtain what they desire, at a low price, with improved flavor and disease prevention. The essay will demonstrate many ways on how crops that are genetically modified help all people in the nation.

An acronym that has become seemingly ubiquitous throughout the supermarkets, food advertisements, and food labels, GMO has swept the nation. So, what exactly does the acronym GMO mean? The term GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. The definition of a Genetically Modified Organism is any organism whose genetic material has been modified or altered, especially through genetic engineering techniques. The genomes of various organisms, from single-celled microbes to multicellular plants and animals, can be purposely transformed using recombinant DNA technology. The transgenic organisms are used mainly in the production of pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and agriculture. These modifications are also,

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism that has been genetically modified with the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. This process is called genetic engineering, or modification. (Smith J.) The process must be done in a laboratory because the natural barriers organisms have to protect themselves from foreign DNA. In order to fight these natural barriers genetic modifiers have various methods to insure the organism becomes modified. These methods include; Using viruses or bacteria to infect animal or plant cells with the new DNA, Coating DNA onto tiny metal pellets, and firing it with a special gun into the cells, Injecting the new DNA into fertilized eggs with a very fine needle, Using electric