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Essay on The Many Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods

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Have you eaten any dairy products lately? If so, theres a large chance you have eaten genetically modified foods without even knowing it. About 70- 80% of all food are genetically modified in the United States (Williams). Genetically modified foods benefit us, economically, environmentally, and health wise. Although they may present health problems, no proof has been shown. GMOs are very new to our world. There have been many protests against them lately as they continue to expand and feed our growing population. European environmental organizations and public groups have been against it for months. The U.S Food and Drug Administration also began worrying about GMOs after recent effects on monarch butterfly caterpillars were …show more content…

With crops being modified to kill weeds by itself, weed killing spray is no longer needed, which saves a lot of money (Whitman 2). Salmon that is “engineered” to grow faster can help America’s fish farming business. This will save money because farm-raised fish is very expensive (Greenwood). In many ways GMOs are just as good for our planet as the people in it. Food that has been modified stops pesticides from eating the crops which saves “run-off agricultural wastes from excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers which can poison the water supply” (Whitman 2). Some plants have also been “genetically engineered” to help clean up pollution in the air. More land is also becoming available for housing because plants can tolerate inhospitable places (Whitman 3). “Frankenfish”, or genetically modified fish help fish stocks while also helping the emptying fish supply (Greenwood). Even with all of the benefits it has to offer, not everyone is a fan of GMOs. Many critics fear they can present problems to our health. Putting a new gene into something may cause a serious allergic reaction. After eating GM foods many kids developed serious allergies. This can be solved by making GM plants that don’t make pollen. GM foods also may have unknown effects on human health although nothing has been proven (Whitman 7). Faster growing fish has been researched for over 20 years and not one person has ever experienced an effect from the fish (Greenwood). Critics fear that “Frankenfish”

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