Engineered foods may be risky, but they may also be necessary with a growing planet. Before reading, “Are Engineered Foods Evil?,” by David Freedman, one may be convinced that genetically modified foods are considerably dangerous due to what some may perceive as lack of research and a misunderstanding of why they could be helpful. But, after reading Freedman’s very persuasive article one’s point of view could changed based on Freedman’s strong use of ethos and logos. He displayed facts and evidence to support claims he and other scientist made throughout his article which was also very persuasive. Freedman not only develops a strong argument, but provides a strong counter argument as well.
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.
Imagine going to the grocery store and seeing a seedless watermelon, but it is not the typical oval, it is square. Down the produce aisle, there are sweet, juicy strawberries; however, there is a warning label that says, “Do not consume if you have a nut allergy.” The world today is moving forward in the way that society produces our wholefoods. Genetic engineering, bioengineering, or biotechnology is the process of inserting the genetics of different plants and organisms into other plants or organisms to create new, more efficient DNA. However, is it truly beneficial to modify the world’s natural foods? The use of genetic engineering can disrupt the ecosystems that have taken billions of years to develop. Many years of research and work have gone into the subject of genetically modified foods; however, this new food trend could create or enhance food related illnesses and health problems, interfere with nature’s environs, and could even cause specific ethical problems for individuals that practice different faith. People should be aware of genetic engineering, how it works, and how it affects their lives.
Humanity’s advancements over the course of history have been due to major technological milestones. Of these milestones, arguably the most important has been the advent of agriculture. Agriculture has allowed humans to store food in surplus which frees them from slaving in fields and allows focus on more scholarly and artistic pursuits. As time has progressed, agriculture itself reach important advances, from selective breeding to artificial fertilizer. However, one of the most recent advances in modern times has been met with suspicion and distrust. Genetically modified organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs, have begun to be used in commercial agricultural and their widespread use in food for humans and livestock is on the rise. Many
The three articles at the end of the chapter bring up the benefits and concerns with this ever growing scientific development. In the first article, “GMOs: Fooling – Er, ‘Feeding’ – The World for 20 Years”, the authors debunk the common myths told to the public by GMO advocating scientists. For example, many scientist claim that GMO crops are harmless to the people and the environment, but the authors of this article say otherwise by referencing a statement made by the Academy of Environmental Medicine: “these foods pose a serious health risk in areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health” (378). The second article by Richard Manning provides examples where GMOs have helped the people of India, Mexico, and countries in Africa and South America solve their major food crises. In “Eating the Genes… ”, Manning tries to ease the concern of GMOs by simply phrasing, “genetic engineering merely refines the tools” (380). The author sees
In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have made a significant change in our diet with the introduction of genetically altered foods, which have essentially affected human health as well as local communities. Anthropologists tells us that homo sapiens were hunter gatherers. Their “evolved behaviors helped them respond to the challenges of survival in unstable environments shifting them to live an agricultural lifestyle” (Homo Sapiens. Smithsonian ). Over the millennia, agriculture has made a huge gain in efforts to serve human preferences by domesticating crops and animals to improve production and make them resistant to diseases and pests. Genetic modification evolutionized domesticated crop plants in each crop generation. During this time, agriculture began to arise through applications of modern scientific breeding. Crop plants were the center of seminal research in genetics and scientist main focus. (Cereal Foods World 2007).
Producers have been manipulating DNA in the reproduction of their products before Gregor Mendel founded the modern understanding of genetics. Thus, genetically modified organisms -GMOs- are simply more advanced hybrids. The World Health organization defines GMOs as organisms in which their genetic information has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally (Blair, 2015). The controversy regarding genetically modified organisms has been prevalent not only in the agricultural community, but academic conversation as well. Although many organizations and individuals claim genetically modified organisms are malicious to human health as well as the environment, they are indeed the basis for healthy, sustainable agriculture that not only provide a quality product for the consumer, but a safe and nutritious product as well.
Hunger is a very real problem in poverty stricken nations around the world, but we don't always combat this problem in the way we should. In most cases we donate food to be distributed for free or at a reduced cost in poverty stricken areas, and while this does provide food, it can also hurt the local economy. Most jobs in impoverished nations are in agriculture, so sending cheap food makes it harder for the farmers to sell their product. In order to combat hunger in these areas without hurting the local economy, the answer is not to send in more competitively priced food, the answer is to use the food that is already there. I propose that support organizations instead of asking for food donations, ask for money. They could then use the money
In the video the speaker talks about all the problems we face as a world. Some of the problems which he goes on stating is clean water, 20% death preventable disease , 3.5% die from air pollution. He believes that we as a world should research cost effectiveness of proposals and prioritization. Prioritization is a huge key but, first we must identify the things we shouldn't do. In the world we face many challenges as described in the video. The speaker reviews the challenges of hunger and malnutrition also global warming. The speaker speaks on how billion of people go to bed hungry. He also details ways which we can change this matter. This fix would result in at least $184 billion of dollars. This solution would benefit the consumers tremendously. Not only does it help consumers but it also helps biodiversity. More people helps save the forest.
Poverty. World Hunger. The burning question… what is poverty? What is hunger? According to Dictonary.com, poverty “is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum standard of life and well-being that's considered acceptable in society”. Additionally “Hunger is a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.” Poverty includes many facets like the lack of food. The lack of food starts a chain reaction that hurts the society overall and does not provide the right amount of nutrition.
World hunger is a big problem throughout the world. 21,000 people die every day from starvation. There are many people in third world countries that are starving because of the lack of food and water. Americans throw away about 165 billion dollars worth of food each year that is 2,000 dollars per house hold(Know Your World: Facts About World Hunger & Poverty). That is 35 million tons of food each year according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Every day someone dies from starvation, but by taking simple simple steps world hunger can be reduced.
It has been over twenty years since genetically modified crops were initially commercialised. And the debate over if they are good for society or not still rages. It is a polarising topic, wrapped in propaganda and biased attitudes. It has divided the opinions of nations and brought the USA and Europe to the brink of a trade war. The acronym ‘GM’ is weighted down with cultural baggage and, in general society, has come to mean the unnatural mixing of genes by scientists who are playing God. However, genetically modified crops are actually defined as the manipulation of a plant through the insertion of specific DNA sequences to produce a desired trait. This
Genetically modified foods have been an issue in the United States ever since the invention of genetically modified objects. Over time, agriculturalists have domesticated plants and animals that suit the needs of the population in terms of improved production, resistance to diseases and pests, and human preferences (Chassy 169). In doing this, desirable traits were selected in each crop generation that led to an improved crop from an anthropocentric viewpoint. This has escalated even further after the industrial revolution where we began to have machinery and improved techniques from which to farm. At the same time as this was occurring and we were modernizing our agricultural system, scientific methods began to develop that drew heavily from genetics.
With a plethora of problems worldwide such as world hunger, animal cruelty, increased health risks (??) , and pollution, we are steadily advancing towards a different kind of world. Towards a world in which energy, food, medicine, and resource conflicts could become redundant. You are what you eat, and the slightest With a plethora of ongoing world problems such as world hunger, animal cruelty, increased health risks, and pollution, we are steadily advancing towards a different kind of world; a world in which there will no longer be a surplus or an even distribution of energy, food, medicine, and resources . You are what you eat, and the slightest changes made to your diet can make a great impact.
Debates over modern agricultural biotechnology and its potential usefulness and effectiveness are often characterized by deeply polarized stances. Proponents, which include industry advocates as well as some scholars, tout the benefits of increased agricultural productivity leading to positive outcomes for poor and small-scale farmers, as well as hunger alleviation - while critics outline potential negative impacts of this technological package, highlighting the polarization of agrarian social structures, concerns over food security, and detrimental environmental effects.