The Possiblities of Genetically Engineered Food

The word GM foods or sometimes labeled GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) is created for human and/or animal use by using the most advanced molecular biology procedures. The plants

Genetically modified foods are defined as foods created through the process of inserting new genetic information into existing cells in order to modify a specific organism for the purpose of changing its characteristics.

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.

Although many may disagree, there are many advantages to genetic modification in foods. Environmentally speaking, Crops that have inherited pest resistance through genetic alterations often reduce the need for the application of chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides can often have harmful effects on the environment. They can kill beneficial insect species in the field and get into other ecosystems when washed into waterways. In addition, genetic engineering can be used in many ways to improve the efficiency of crops. Resistance to herbicide and insect pests are two ways can help to improve productivity. With the improvement of productivity comes the reduction of cost. The use of GMOs can reduce the need for the application of chemicals. In some cases they may lead to traits which ease planting, harvesting, or processing in ways which reduce the cost of production.

As a society we tend to disagree with each other on many topics especially social issues and on the importance of them, but we can all agree that world hunger is one of the main problems. World hunger is led by death, poverty, and so much more, and for years we have tried to find ways to stop it, but it’s hard since our world is expanding. The greater our population, the more mouths we need feed, and since we already have more than half of our population starving the fear is that we will run out of food. This is where the idea of genetically modified foods is presented as a solution to help and fix these age long question about hunger. Genetically modified foods have been proven to have some good benefits in helping out the world;

The world we live in today is in no doubt constantly changing all thanks to the technological and scientific advancements. These advancements are what have led to the birth of molecular genetics which is the genesis of improvements in the field of agriculture. Food is a very crucial part of human survival, and while it may be abundant in many developed countries, the same cannot be said about the developing countries. A 2015 report by FAO on the state of food insecurity sates that there are about 795 million people sleeping hungry because of shortage of food with the vast majority coming from developing countries (2015, FAO). The rise of genetically modified food in the recent years however has helped to provide a solution to some of these food shortage problems. Generally genetically modified foods otherwise known as GMO foods are foods that result from crops whose genetic makeup have been modified or altered. This happens through a process that’s referred to as recombinant DNA that serves to give plants traits that are desirable with the use of molecular techniques. Some of the most bioengineered foods include tomatoes, corn, cotton, rice, papaya, wheat among others. While it has had many benefits and successes, GM foods still have risks and the question of safety always arises when it comes to discussions.

The genetically modified crops disrupt natural environmental ecosystems present in the soil. This means that once the soil is infected with menacing GMOs and synthetic internal-pesticides such as glyphosate, the damages are irreversible

You read that right modify the genes of food. It is now called a GMO or genetically modified organism. This discovery has sparked great change in the world. With this new discovery, the way that we look at food will forever be changed. For farmers, pesticides and insects can be real troublesome. Scientists have found a way to make crops resistant to pesticides. You read that right crops that are resistant to pesticides. Even though all crops are resistant yet cotton, soybean, rapeseed, and maize are. These crops when sprayed didn’t die out as like their counterparts. These resistant crops have been used since 1996 and have caused the death of several insects who are found on them. But cause no harm to the humans that consume them.

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

“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.

Genetically modified crops have been held up against several ethical and scientific scales of measurement. The outcome has been the discovery of several benefits and drawbacks, or at least the speculation of said benefits and drawbacks. The purpose of those papers is to weigh evidence, arguments, judgments and the like. To find out whether the benefits of the benefits of genetically modified crops outweigh the disadvantages. Much of the opposition for genetically modified like W.H.O apply an arsenal of approaches to world hunger yet refuse to apply these genetically modified to world hunger based on unfounded speculations about possible long term problems whilst ignoring the great benefits which to be derived from genetically modified crops. For example, genetically modified crops have been used to target specific nutrient deficiencies in Africa. Judging from the

The Neolithic Revolution was a time when human settlements began to form and bloom with culture and technological innovations. Prior to 10,000 BC, nomads ruled the Earth and lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Soon humans created civilizations and relied on agriculture and livestock to provide for their needs. These early settlers learned how to breed wild plants and animals to produce desirable characteristics which slowly led to the domestication of these organisms after many generations of selecting useful traits. Nearly 12,000 years later, their descendants still use these techniques to create a society sustained on natural foods. Scientists have found a way to speed up the breeding of unique organisms in laboratories by the use of genetic engineering. Geneticists discovered how to produce foods that are higher in nutritional content and more resistant to many of the harmful effects of Mother Nature such as disease or natural disasters. Some believe that it is immoral for humans to try to play God while others may see the opportunities that this type of science can bring to the world. Although this massive breakthrough has led to ethical and scientific controversies, genetically modified foods should be accepted into American society because of the wide array of benefits they offer.

Genetically modified foods are a types of foods that have been genetically changed, to add or get rid of an unwanted trait in a food. For example, seedless oranges. This is a type of orange that is genetically modified (had tits genes changed) specifically so it would grow without seeds. Many foods are genetically modified today. Oranges, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, and many others have had their genes changed. In fact, the average person will eat at least one genetically modified food everyday without realizing it. According to a survey by USDA 26% of people asked believed that they had never eaten a genetically modified food.

Genetically modifying food is also known as genetically engineering food or GM food. The process of genetically modifying food starts with genes. Genes are sections of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and DNA is made of a complex chemical compound that is made up of molecules called nucleotides, the molecules in the DNA determines the characteristics of living things. DNA has a strand which contains a genetic code that has instructions for specific protein; proteins determine many characteristics and functions in the body, somewhat like the molecules in DNA. Genes contain different traits so genetically modifying food is based off a gene transfer however before farmers discovered the process of modifying

Genetically engineered foods have had foreign genes (genes from other plants or animals) inserted into their genetic codes. Genetic engineering can be done with plants, animals or bacteria, and other microorganisms. The aim of the science of genetic engineering is to produce the desired traits in plants and animal that we propagate. In addition, the concept of the genetic engineering helps increase yields and improves the quality of food, a good example is a tomato that has been genetically modified to maintain their freshness longer (Guy, n.d.).