Over 800 farmers have been accused due to a problem that should not be a ‘problem’, and the number still growing (rt.com). The problem is accidentally growing GMOs, or genetically modified organisms such as those sold by Monsanto. In 1901 Monsanto, one of the largest agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporations was founded. In 1982 Monsanto launched their first project to officially genetically modify an organism. From then on, they have continually been genetically modifying organisms without knowing many possible side effects of human consumption. Monsanto is only one example, but there are many similar corporations that genetically modify organisms. People need to know what can happen if foods that are genetically modified are eaten. Clearly, people must avoid eating foods that have been genetically modified indefinitely. A strong reason as to why people should stop eating genetically modified foods is because they have never been tested. The people testing the foods are the same people as the everyday consumer buying a pack of Doritos® at 7-Eleven® without knowing what may happen. GMOs have unknown possibilities this means anything can happen to the consumer. A credible author writes, “Foreign genetic material in a host can cause other genetic material in that host to behave erratically. Genes can be suppressed or overexpressed, causing a wide variety of results. One consequence of overexpression, for example, can be cancer.” (care2.com) CANCER. Is food
Although GMO can be helpful, it also can be reportedly damaging in relation with health. In 1999, a scientist conducted an experiment; feeding some mice GMO foods, and some other mice non-GMO foods. The mice that were fed GMO products showed signs of precancerous cells while the other mice were completely healthy. (Science in the News). After the information was given to the public, the researcher was fired. The public went into a mass of chaos. People stretched the story, others changed it, but nonetheless GMOs had been
There have been numerous health problems after GMOs we introduced in the late 1990s. People who consistently eat foods that have been genetically modified ingest glyphosate in high concentrations. Since glyphosate causes chemical alterations that interfere with certain processes, it has possible chances of causing serious diseases such as; Autism, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. There are many plants that produce substances that are toxic to humans. But the level of toxins that are in the plant are low to where it does not ham the person who consumes it. Which means that there can be anything in them hat can harm us and makes us sick without us knowing. There is evidence that shows that GMOs have caused harm in humans, that some of the diseases that are caused is also found in animals. Many GM fans will point out that if we do toxicity tests on genetically modified foods, we should also have to do toxicity testing on every other kind of food in the world. But it has already started from the time we have been growing our own vegetation without changing its DNA. There is plenty of scientific evidence to recommend caution with respect to certain kinds of genetic modification, especially if there are genes involved that confer antibiotic
Genetically modified foods can be good and bad for humans and the economy. For example, if you do not cook an genetically modify foods it can cause us humans to become deathly ill. If the soil is not treated before the genetically modified seed is placed into the ground it can damage the soil and the earth around it.
About eighty percent of packaged food is infiltrated with harmful substances that is being sold to many people and they do not know what they are even consuming and the detrimental effects it has on them. This is known as a Genetically Modified Organism or a GMO. Genetically Modified Organisms are being sold without it being labeled, so people are not completely informed when purchasing or consuming them. GMOs also have unknown effects and causes that come with it. To protect people from GMOs, the US should ban Genetically Modified foods from being produced and grown in America. Another way to help protect people from eating GMOs is to make all foods sold natural and fresh.
Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s, are organisms that have had genes from a different organism implanted into their own genetic code in order to produce a new result (“Genetically engineered foods”). This practice has elicited polar responses across the globe, for a multitude of reasons. Besides the obvious reason, being the morality of changing an organism's DNA for human benefit, one frequently noted problem is the monopolization of GMO’s by the company Monsanto, whose name is nearly synonymous with GMO’s due to their involvement with these crops. Monsanto has been at the center of many controversies regarding GMO’s, and is even considered to be ranked third to last for reputation among all major American companies (Bennett). Most
GMO’s or Genetically Modified Food is one of the most controversial topics that have been studied and debated for over 40 years. Scientists on both sides of the spectrum claim that these modified foods are safe for consumption, but also some argue that these foods are toxic and very harmful to human life. GMO’s are genetically modified organisms that are created and added in a lab experiment where DNA are extracted from one gene and added to another plant or animal. This allows the genes to mix with the DNA to create a desired product. For example, bigger apples, larger oranges, taller animals, and plants that can survive the changing climate. GMOs are different from organic food and products because chemicals and DNA modification is not needed for these natural stuff.
Today about 90% of all GM crops grown in the U.S., and 40% grown worldwide, originate from a company called Monsanto (GM Food). The majority of GM crops consist of corn, cotton, canola, and soybeans. Monsanto started out as a manufacturer of artificial sweetener then developed into an agricultural chemical company that produces herbicides and pesticides. It has since become the leader in GM crops and a political powerhouse. Monsanto has spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the White House for support. This is one of the reasons why opponents have had such difficulties in opposing GM crops. Proponents of GM food believe GM crops are the next logical step in agriculture, and that the benefits could far outweigh the possible dangers (GM Food).
These concerns are about the potential of illnesses GMOs could cause. An article observes, “In the 20-plus years on the market, GMOs have not caused or contributed to a single illness or death” (“GMO Myths Vs. Facts”). There have not been any traces of illnesses after multiple testing of GMO products. Since there are only ten commercially farmed genetically modified crops in the United States, the possibility of people getting a disease from them is rare; especially because three of the crops are mainly for feeding livestock. People have believed multiple problems are linked to GMOs. For instance, “in 2013, the journal food and chemical toxicology retracted a paper linked to herbicide roundup and round up-tolerant GM corn to cancer and premature death in rats… they found researchers had used too few rats… and the results were inconclusive” (Colbert, par. 16). Since the researchers did not have enough evidence, the possibility of the problem being GMOs are
Convenience. Many Americans don’t know what they would do without the convenience of everyday life in America. The Food Industry is at the helm of this simple lifestyle. If you 're hungry, you go to the supermarket and buy what you want. You don’t need to worry about hunting for meat or growing and harvesting plants. Now, all of the hard work involved in obtaining and producing food is the responsibility of food corporations. In their sophisticated factories, they raise animals and grow plants, they take care of the hard work and we enjoy the simplicity of supermarket choices. However, is it such a good idea to place so much blind trust in these companies? Literally every piece of food we buy at a supermarket, or restaurant comes from one or more large corporations. Unless you buy food from a local farm, or grow it yourself, you are eating the products of a company’s hard working employees. I’ve noticed over the past few years that a certain stigma has started to surround these food producing companies. Monsanto is almost always in the news and someone is always protesting some food company because of what they may or may not have done. The root of this stigma seems to be the result of consumer trust. Every day seems to bring some food related issue to the forefront of every news outlet. I propose a research project in which I will take a deep look into how much trust, or lack
Food is crucial to every human being alive. It has become a necessity for every human being. The nutrients and vitamins that we obtain derives from the food that we consume. In fact, it is so crucial that without it, one can simply die in a matter of three weeks at most. It has been scientifically proven that is necessary in order to prolong one’s lifetime. But what if the food being eaten came from virus-infected plants? Or what if there was a corn drought? It could potentially cause a malicious pandemic. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) help reduce the risk that could arise from certain crops. But is the consumption of genetically modified food acceptable within the Catholic Church? With unleavened bread and pure grape wine being eaten and drunk during the Eucharistic event of Mass, and even the sacrifice of sheep during many different offerings throughout the Bible, it seems as if food should be eaten at it’s most purest and organic form. Food should be eaten in it’s purest and most organic form because of the health, environmental, and the moral issues that result from GMOs.
Companies, like Monsanto will come after small farms and sue them for more than they can pay if they find out they are using even a small portion of GM crops in their fields, even if by accident” (Fitzgerald). Approximately 2,400 farmers in 19 states through 2006 were sued and spied upon for alleged “seed piracy”, Monsanto has an annual budget of $10 million dollars and a staff of 75 devoted solely to investigating and prosecuting farmers who are caught with different seed. (Monsanto).
Like many other companies that manufacture chemicals, Monsanto has been under strict public scrutiny on its effect on the environment. The processes involved in the manufacture of some of its products pose potential harm to the world’s natural resources (Hocking, 2016). This has triggered demonstrations by environmental activists in various locations that Monsanto operates in. Such controversy is not favorable for the company’s public image. Since the manufacturer concentrates on agricultural products that directly affect human life, the company faces various moral challenges on the effects of its products on the society. There have been incidents in the past whereby toxic chemical traces have been found in genetically modified food that was
Genetically modified foods should not be sold and bought. The food that should be sold and bought is the food that is growing natural and not genetically modified. The chemicals used and be harmful not only to our bodies but or environments.
In her online video, "Talking about food safety," Monsanto 's lead toxicologist, Shawna Lemke says that, "In recent years people have become increasingly interested in where their food comes from, and how it is produced....there is still conflicting and confusing information about Genetically Modified Foods, but because of the intense work the scientists that work here do, we all feel confident in feeding them to our kids." Monsanto is a Fortune 500 "sustainable agricultural" company that started in 1901, introducing their first product, saccharin. They move on to produce agricultural chemicals in 1945, and by 1982 they were genetically modifying plant cells (DNA). They now have 404 facilities in sixty-six countries, and supply 76% of the world 's seeds. It seems Monsanto has a stronghold on the world 's genetically modified seeds. Although Monsanto claims that genetically modified food is safe, there are conflicting studies claiming they are unsafe and cause harm to humans, plants and animals. However, there have not been any scientific research done concerning this in the United States. How would these studies affect our supply of genetically modified food here in The United States? What about the farmers? How does this stronghold affect the farmers here in the United States? The United States Government needs to perform their own scientific research studies to assess the health risks of Genetically Modified Food, and
A Genetically Modified Organism or GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the process of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found within. These genetically modified organisms are a relatively new phenomenon in the United States, introduced in 1994. However, beginning in 2014 these chemicals could be found in 90% of corn, cotton, and soybeans produced in the United States. The looks and taste of genetically modified organisms may seem inviting but are the health risks really worth it? In my opinion, I believe that while genetically modified organisms do have positive feel and comfort they pose a large health risk to all who choose to consume them.