Essay The Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Crops

Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material, otherwise known as DNA. Since biochemists Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer pioneered genetic engineering in 1973, the process has grown to have numerous applications such as medicine production, for example insulin (Mckinley). However, a main topic of concern is the application of genetic engineering on foods that we eat everyday. By modifying the genetic "blueprint" of crops, it is possible to improve many aspects of agriculture. But with any sort of scientific discovery that allows humans to act as Mother Nature, genetically modifying organisms has been a very controversial topic. Yet our society continues to grow, and the need for the benefits of genetically modified foods continues to grow. Genetically modifying foods should be permitted in our society because it allows larger yields of crops to be produced, produces foods with higher nutritional values, and reduces our global ecological footprint.

Genetically modified crops are an incredibly important issue that everyone should be aware of since it is something we are exposed to at a daily basis. Genetically modified crops also known as GM crops or Biotech crops has been one of the most heated debates of issues within our society. The debate about the safety, concerns and disadvantages of GM crops have raged since the mid 1990 's but this is due to the lack of knowledge of the general public. Many people are unaware of what the GM crops actually are and what they offer. Genetically modified crops are plants that are used in the agriculture and have been modified to initiate a new trait to plants that does not happen naturally in the species. These plants are modified using genetic engineering techniques to enhance desired traits. GM crops are made when genes of commercial interest are transferred from one organism to another.() There are many methods used for the production of GM crops but the two primary used for plant insertion are gene guns and agrobacterium tumefaciens. There are also three types of modifications which are transgenic, cisgenic, and subgenic plants. However, there are a number of issues that surround this controversial topic such as environmental, health, and economic concerns. Even though there are some worrying facts about GM crops people don 't realize the advantages or the ways it has helped humans as well as animals. There are many reasons why GM crops are proven

In 2011, more than 66 million hectares of GMO plants were grown throughout the world. These plants were “engineered to produce a bacterial toxin lethal to some insects but harmless to people,” (Carrington 1). By altering the plant’s genes, scientists were able to design the plant in a way so it could control the pest population without the need of using as many chemicals in comparison to pesticides. Therefore altering the plant’s genes proves a method for controlling pest populations because it reduces the amount of harmful chemicals that are used. Pesticide use is dangerous to the environment because of the pollution involved. Studies have found that farmers using GMO seeds use 37% less pesticides, and since “these seeds don’t need to spray as much pesticide, which means less pesticide ends up washing off the fields and into streams” (Horowitz 2). Ultimately, pesticide pollution can endanger entire ecosystems and even threaten human lives. By significantly reducing pesticide use, there would be less dangerous chemicals to threaten local environments. As well as reducing pollution, GMO replacement of pesticides helps increase populations of pest predators. Carrington states that GMOs have the “added benefit of looking after the predators that could have been killed by the pesticides” (2). By substituting GMOs for pesticides, which kill more than just the targeted pest, farmers can help

Not only are GMOs harmful to humans they affect many other communities. “GMOs are also responsible for killing off bees, bats, butterflies, and other pollinators, whose bodies are unable to handle the onslaught of altered DNA and chemicals that are characteristic of GMO technologies”(Bensen). This shows that GMO is not only an issue for humans but it directly affects the insect and animals communities around the plants. These are living organisms that these plants need for pollination. GMOs and the pesticides used on these crops to fight off the insects and weeds is creating more powerful weeds and insects called “SuperWeeds” and “SuperBugs.” “And this built-in resistance has allowed farmers to indiscriminately spray chemicals like Roundup on their crops without worrying about killing them. But this system is now failing, as the weeds and pests targeted by GMO technologies have mutated and developed resistance to crop chemicals and Bt toxin” (Benson). These chemicals are effective for a short period of time However these chemicals become ineffective, the offspring of the insects can be immune to the chemical. This creates a need for a new and stronger chemical mix. GMO seeds and destroy the soil and kill beneficial

Farming is one of the oldest professions known to mankind. Since time immemorial, man has harvested crops and built civilizations around farms. Agriculture has been a building block for many of the world’s greatest civilizations and continues to be the backbone of many countries across the globe today. In earlier days, farms and agricultural practices were limited to a small size due to the lack of greater need however as the world’s population has continued to grow exponentially, farms have dramatically increased in size and agricultural production has increased owing to the use of newer scientific techniques and more refined catalysts for growth such as re-engineered fertilizers and richer soil. However, despite all this crops are still vulnerable to diseases that pose a great threat and jeopardize the output of a farm; along with this there exists a natural limit that can be achieved in terms of productivity due to constraints such as depletion of minerals in the soil and natural make-up of the plants. To overcome these obstacles, a new practice by the name of genetic modification is rapidly becoming popular and taking the world by storm. Genetically modified organisms are those whose natural genetic makeup has been

One of the biggest advantages of agricultural biotechnology lies in its economic efficiency. GM crops are financially beneficial to both the farmer and the consumer. Due to their resistance to pests, viruses, and adverse climates, genetically altered crops produce much larger yields than organic or conventional crops. For example, studies show that if no insecticide is used, a GM crop known as Bt maize has a 48% higher yield than non-modified maize varieties

The issue of producing and consuming genetically altered foods is controversial. Changing the natural content of plants and animals has negative impacts. For instance, genetically altering the DNA of plants or animals have a possibility to create allergens into a food, which results in allergic reactions. Environmentally, genetically modified crops have disadvantages. Plants can be modified to be pesticides and herbicide tolerant. Hence, when plants are sprayed with chemicals, those chemicals contaminate the surroundings. Besides, the chemicals are toxic to some pollinators, this results in the reduction of pollinators, which contributes to the decrease in genetic diversity in crops. The reduction in genetic diversity of plants disrupts the

The article raises a big question about GMO’s, an issue that we have covered in class and in readings. The issues facing the farmers in over twenty-five states is one of great importance. Farmers who do not use GMO crops are finding that their crops are being damaged by the pesticide even if they are miles away. It has damaged about 4 percent of all the soybean crops in the United States. Sadly, it has also affected vineyards, watermelons,

Genetic modification is currently at the forefront of modern science and is being utilised in various fields such as medicine, agriculture and industry. Genetically Modified or transgenic organisms are organisms that have been genetically altered in a specific way for a particular purpose. It is now possible for scientists to exchange genes from one species of organism to another. This process is performed when certain characteristics of one organism are desired in another organism of a different species. For example a pig could be genetically engineered so that it will produce human insulin for those suffering from diabetes. Also, it is seen that it could be possible to cure certain allergies or diseases by replacing

Introducing this new technology hasn’t really gone well with the public because there is still concerns in what are the effects towards the environment and health safety (Somerville, 2000). The main crops that have been genetically modified are soybean, maize, cotton and oilseed rape (Phipps and Park, 2002). GM crops have shown positive results in pest and disease resistance, crop yield increases, reduction in pesticides, and environmental and nutritional improvements (Connor et al. 2003; Phipps and Park, 2002). However, activists view GMO’s to be dangerous to the environment and public health (Somerville, 2000). GM crops can be the one piece of technology that we need to tackle one of

First of all, it cannot be denied the enormous benefits of genetically manipulated organisms and their derived products on the community. This has been proved by a great number of practical applications in human life. According to Bawa and Anilakumar (2013), in comparison with traditionally grown (or non-transgenic) plants, GM crops demonstrated higher productivity by growing faster, resisting to diseases and insects better, and producing more nutritious foods (p. 1038). These crops were believed to be able to grow under unfavorable conditions such as regular droughts or infertile soil (p. 1038). Moreover, Bawa and Anilakumar (2013) stated that the products of genetically engineered plants should be free from herbicides and pesticides and thus are environment friendly due to the fact that these crops are better at diseases and pest resistance so there is no need to use herbicides, pesticides or insecticides anymore (p. 1038). Besides, human

Aside from simply being healthier for the individual than naturally created counterparts, genetically modified crops also have the advantage of being environmentally friendlier as well. Using GMOs reduces the amount of pesticides and herbicides used in crops, therefore reducing the overall amount of toxins in the air. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that GMOs have “allowed for a significant reduction in the use of persistent, synthetic pesticides that may contaminate groundwater and the environment” (Biotechnology FAQ). Author James McWilliams notes how such reductions “excite scientists” as “GMO technology allows them to play a meaningful role in reducing the carbon footprint” (McWilliams). Furthermore, the effects of harmful toxins also decreases with wildlife. The U.S. Department of Agriculture points out that genetic modifications to crops “enable[s] the use of reduced-risk herbicides that break down more quickly in soil and are non-toxic to wildlife and humans” (Biotechnology FAQ). Soil salinity has been a growing agricultural problem in the San Joaquin valley resulting in minimal to no crop growth. To combat this issue, a gene from the Avicenna Marina plant has been implanted into a tobacco plant making it able to tolerate the high salt levels (UC Santa Cruz). Some may argue that the chemicals removed from the pesticides are merely added to the environment through the GMO use, therefore the harmful effects are present regardless of GMO usage. However,

Today common knowledge, for every action, there is an equal, and opposite, reaction, does not spare GM foods. “Pests and weeds will inevitably emerge that are pesticide and herbicide-resistant, which means that stronger, more toxic chemicals will be needed to get rid of the pests (Nayak et al. 116).” There has already been an emergence of a super weed called rapeseed that spreads its herbicide-resistant traits to the wild mustard plants (Nayak et al. 116). There are, without doubt, going to be more cases documented. This couples with the already present problem of making pesticide and herbicide resistant plants. Since the plants will be more resistant, this enables the use of much more product, bleeding its way into the environment. Authors in the Agricultural Research Communication Centre, Nayak, Pandey, Ammayappan, and Ray state that, “scientists estimate that herbicide-resistant crops planted around the globe will triple the amount of toxic broad-spectrum herbicides used in agriculture. Genetically engineered corn, soybeans and cotton have led to a 122 million pound

wanted trait. According to agricultural experts, such an endeavor could take up to 10 years (Hosansky, Sect. In The Beginning, par.

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.