Ever since genetically modified (GM) food was introduced in 1996, many people still do not know what is a GM food. Some scientists and biotech companies suggest that GM foods are safe. However, many countries do not consider GM food safe for consumption and have implemented restrictions on the production and sale of GM foods. Some countries laws require them to indicate the use of GM ingredients if it was used to make the food. GM foods are genetically modified food using biotechnology where a foreign gene is inserted into the DNA of the plant. This made them grow faster and create a resistant against disease, thereby increasing crop yield, lower cost of production and reduce the use of pesticides which improve farming efficiency. They look the same, smell the same and taste the same. Because they are genetically modified, they can be grown in any season. For Instance, GM strawberries (Blue Strawberries) are able to grow during the cold season. However, regular strawberries can only be grown in warm season. This benefited the producer as well as the consumers as strawberries are easily available hence, the price of the strawberries is cheaper. And so, this essay will explicate the causes and effects of GM food. …show more content…
However, many people are unaware of the effect of GM food and do not seem to be concern about GM food. The most common GM foods are corn, soybean and sugar beets. About 80% of the processed food in the US contains GM ingredient. Most of them have been altered cosmetically and the nutrition content of the food. Usually, they are to able resist frost with antifreeze genes from a cold-water fish to increase their shelf life, they have also been altered to resist pests and weeds. The uses of GM ingredients are commonly found in our food, for example, GM soybeans are used to make soy milk, tofu and many food products and these foods are easily available in our
However, GMO's are controversial because chemicals are used to alter the genetic information of a crop. Those chemicals can increase the risk for certain illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer. GMO's are meant to be the perfect organism, however many factors can go wrong with so much genetic modification since its going against nature (Food Policy Institute 2003). The process of how GMO's are created is through the help of gene transfer technology. The desired gene from another organism is placed in the other organisms genome
Desiree Nielsen, Registered Dietitian and Author of the book, “Un-Junk Your Diet” educates her clients on how to select healthy foods for their families and of course, themselves. However, genetically modified organism is the secret ingredient that aggravates her care goals. Nielsen claims that there evidence to suggest they might cause harm to humans and livestock over time. She thinks that the appropriate safety test for genetically modified food consist of running long-term trials contrasting a population who did not consume GMOs to one that did. Nielsen give her clients food/nutrient advice based on functional role in the human body and the risk versus benefit of consuming them.
They are also modified to resist certain diseases or other ailments. Sometimes doing this to our foods ends up making them worse than they already were. More and more people are finding it had to buy natural non- GMO foods and
Although GMOs have managed to do their job but here has been reasons as to how the chemicals in foods consumed on a day to day basis are unhealthy and unsuitable to live a long and fulfilling life. Now feel more informed about the GMOs dilemma, considering the insufficient amount of examination that has been accomplished and the accidental contamination of food products which posts an issue to the amount of money countries owe to citizens that have been affected. All in all, as of right now GMOs should be the item to think twice about when purchasing it at a local grocery
Genetically modified foods have been receiving a lot of unjustified hate from the media recently. This is unjustified because GM foods are superior for three main reasons; They produce far more food than un-altered crops, the negative environmental impact is decreased, and the overall quality of GM foods is increased. This should be far more than enough to debunk the myths of GM foods being bad. The consumer, being anyone from an industrial farmer to a small family, can rest assured buying, eating or growing
Genetically modified food, usually short written as GM food, is food which composed by artificial modified DNA, like insert genes from another organism. GM food is not newly introduced technology, the first scientist discovered genes can be transfer between organism was in 1946, the first genetically modified products first appeared in 1983. However, debates over the topic has never stopped. Some people hold positive view towards GM food, think that it can improve our world.
In the article, “The Green Monster: Could Frankenfoods Be Good for the Environment?”, by James E. McWilliams, GMO’s are thoroughly discussed and examined in recent history and current events. This paper will discuss the author, his past and present, his credentials, and otherwise relevant information, as well as the GMOs themselves and the flurry of activity surrounding their controversial existence. James E. McWilliams, an author and professor of history at Texas State University, hails from San Marcos, which is thought to be one of the longest inhabited lands in the Americas, as well as a foundry for culture and history, which might explain his choice of study when he pursued higher education. After attending Georgetown, where he majored
For years, the health and safety of genetically modified foods have been debated and researched by scientists, but the question still stands: should genetically modified foods be allowed for consumption? The process of genetic modification involves inserting a gene from bacteria or a virus into an organism where it would normally not be found. The purpose is to alter the genetic code in plants and animals to make them more productive or resistant to pests or farming techniques. Genetically modified organisms, more commonly known as GMOs, have been a controversial topic of debate for a number of reasons. The ethics behind genetically modified foods come into question due to an abundance of short and long-term effects from the process, many of which are still unknown today.
Before one dives into the battle of good versus evil, one must first fully understand the concept of genetically modified foods. Genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) foods have been modified in order to develop favourable characteristics. Genes are transferred from various organisms to fruit and vegetable plants and are responsible for generating favourable characteristics, such as resistance to pests and insecticides (Milano and Carol, 2007: 8-11). Many people are pro GM foods due to their positive effects such as larger yields and decreased pesticide use, but not everyone is convinced. GM foods are a relatively new phenomenon and
What do a tomato, soybean and a french fry have in common? They are all some of the most commonly genetically modified foods sold on the market today. By using the genetic information from one organism, and inserting or modifying it into another organism, scientists can make food crops stay fresher, grow bigger, and have the crops create their own pesticides. Nevertheless, the technology to modify genes has surpassed its practicality. Genetically modified foods need to be removed from everyday agriculture because of the threat they pose to human health, the environment, and the impact on global economy.
According to the World Health Organization, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The United States is the world leader in genetically engineered crop production, with 165 million acres, or nearly half of global production. Currently in the United States, approximately 85% of all processed foods contain GMOs (www.gmofilm.com). Labeling is about empowering people towards informed decision making, so what 's bad about it? Despite being at the frontiers of cutting edge research & development the United States
Most genetic engineering is designed to meet the corporates rather than the consumer’s needs. However, more and more people are growing to believe that GMO products are being produced to be ‘counterfeit freshness’ and some believe that there is no real issue. But are people just being blinded by the science? In its place of providing individuals with beneficial information, obligatory GMO labels would only intensify the misconception that so called Franken foods endangers people’s health. Most major European retailers had to remove GM products from their shelves because they were worried that this kind of technology would drive people away.
Genetically modified foods, also known as genetically modified organisms are biologically altered foods. Scientists put a desired gene from one plant, animal, or organism into another plant, in the hope that more crops are grown and have resistance to disease, drought, and pesticides. You likely have several items in your kitchen that are genetically modified that you don’t even know about. According to Livestrong.com, more than 88% of all soy, corn, squash, and cotton plants grown in the U.S. are genetically modified. Animal products like eggs, meat, and milk contain genetically modified foods, because the food fed to livestock is usually genetically modified.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Foods? Genetically modified (GM) foods are organisms that have had new genes added to themselves from other organisms. Being around since 1994, they are produced in a way that is very similar to genetic engineering. The technique used in this type of crop management has been introduced to ensure farmers and merchants are able to improve crop or food quality in a more efficient way.
ADVANTAGES OF GM FOODS World population is increasing day by day which implies scarcity of food will be the major challenge that the world will be facing in the future. Genetically modified foods can meet this rising need. 1)STRONG GROWTH: GMO is typically designed to have a faster growth. It can be grown in any harsh environment; each seed is improved to be stronger and can withstand herbicides and pesticides.