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. Genetically modified foods could produce new toxic substances, and/or allergens. A gene was inserted into the DNA of a soybean plant to increase the nutritional value of the soybean. However, this particular gene in the genetically modified soybean also produced an allergen. Fortunately, the plant was not put into production. Another example is of a genetically modified tomato called flavor saver. The tomato is larger, tastier, and stays fresher longer than commercial tomatoes on the market. Combining conventional tomato genes with the genes of an arctic trout produces the flavor savor. Nevertheless, questions such as “Will people with seafood allergies be able to consume the tomato?” and “Will the trout genes in the tomato enable new bacteria growth, and thereby make the tomato hazardous to eat?” have still not been answered. This causes the flavor to be a potential hazard
Artificial selection and crossbreeding, both forms of genetic modification, have been used for centuries by scientists and farmers to obtain the desired traits of crops or animals (Kracht para 1). Moreover, no known risks have appeared from the consumption of GMOs or the genetic modification of crops.
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.
Much of the food in modern day markets are genetically modified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material have been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. The process of creating GMOs is quite complex; combinations of plant, animal, bacterial, and viral genes are fused together to form new genes that would not have formed in nature. Crops that are genetically modified includes a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables. There are many reasons as to why a crop may be genetically modified, such as enhancing a crop 's nutritional value and resistance to diseases and insects.
The damage done by GMOs to the environment might result in the death of these living creatures; due to such effects genetically modified crops should be banned. Some people may argue that the technology used in the production of genetically modified crops helped the farmers when the use chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides when they work. In addition, such chemicals also affect the animals present in farms not just the farmers, so the new technology of GMOs helped living creatures to survive in farms. According to Phipps and park, “In the 1970’s the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that there were globally 500,000-pesticide poisonings/year, resulting in 5,000 deaths” (2002, p.2). This shows clearly the danger of the usage of poisonous pesticides or insecticides that the farming of genetically modified crops helps in avoiding the usage of such chemicals, therefore GMOs are considered to be ecofriendly.
The most alarming facts are the affects genetically alterations in plants have on humans. Since 1995 pesticides and herbicides have been genetically added to crops such as corn. Although this is an advantage as it kills pests it can make people sick. A gene called Bt-toxin, found in corn, has been found to cause reactions in humans. Some symptoms include allergies and flu like symptoms, and more severe complications may be soon noted.
It has always been said that quality is better than quantity, but in order to make food and crops durable, scientists have found that genetic engineering serves a great purpose for that. For example, some genetically modified plants withhold genes that are prevented and protected from viruses. Healthy crops can be just as scarce
Eating an organic diet (as prescribed by federal guidelines) has shown in a study supported by the Environmental Protection Agency to decrease detectable levels of pesticides in children. ” People may find it rather disturbing to know their children are consuming pesticides. Studies have proven the negatives and positives of GM foods; regardless, GMOs are unnatural and potentially dangerous. Research funds now available for the development of GM crops could be better spent in other areas of plant science such as, nutrition, strategy exploration, and supremacy, along with solutions close to local market conditions, if the goal is to provide sufficient sustenance for the worlds rising population in a maintainable way.
The 4 Cons of Genetic Engineering The following are the issues that genetic engineering can trigger: 1. May Hamper Nutritional Value Genetic engineering on food also includes the infectivity of genes in root crops. These crops might supersede the natural weeds. These can be dangerous for the natural plants.
We all ask ourselves when it comes to what we are eating and what we are putting into our bodies I know I ask myself if, the food I am eating is good for me, how it will affect me afterwards, and what is actually in the food we are eating. Genetically modified Organisms aren't what everyone thinks they are, they are one of the best things for the global food industry and production. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), GMO’s should play a major role in the global food industry because GMO’s continue to create advancements in ending global starvation due to creating resistance of pests, other diseases in crops and GMOs lower the risk of crop failure. The world is changing around us and what comes with this change is advancements in the food
In recent years, the genetically modified foods are popular to the society. However, their several benefits and risks should be concerned as they have important impacts to human beings. According to World Health Organization, the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are defined as organisms such as plants, animals or microorganisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination. The technology is often called ‘modern biotechnology’ or ‘gene technology’ and ‘recombinant DNA technology’ or ‘genetic engineering’. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another and between nonrelated species.
(David Suzuki Foundation, n.d) Genetically-modified plants, animals and processed foods were introduced in the international market in 1990s. North America’s production of corn, soybeans and canola is now more than 50% with transgenic traits which means that the resistance of the GMO genes or crops is higher towards the pest and other
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, play a major role in our society whether we realize it or not. The controversy of whether or not we should be using GMOs steadily increases due to new information becoming available along with new research being conducted. , Benefits of GMOs including the decrease use of pesticides, food production, and creating food are topics that will help explain the reason why GMOs should be used. These topics will include proven facts along with actual results that back up these benefits. On the other side of the controversy lies the reasons we should not be using GMOs.
New developments in technology such as the Internet could facilitate better communication among different regulatory bodies and organization not just on a national level but also internationally . The impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Genetically Modified Organisms present both a challenge and an opportunity. Certainly it can be used as a practical means to produce food, quickly, and also, can solve the problem of the risk of contamination presented with the use of pesticides and harmful viruses. Such organisms, in this case, the plants are deemed to be non-target organisms.
Other risks include inbreed with natural organisms which could lead to extinction (Heif). Some food sources that have been genetically modified include tomatoes, squash, other crops and meats as well. These alternations continue to prosper because of the benefits. However, there is much more to be considered then the mere health factors of it. Food that has been genetically modified, has went to cause concern to the Food and Drug Administration because of production and labeling.
Introduction: The year is 2018, and at this point the world has scene massive growth and expansion in the fields of science and technology. As technology improves, so does science, leading to a boom of new and exiting frontiers in the field of biotechnology. One of the fruits of this development are GMO foods, a strangely controversial product. Simply put, a GMO is any produce which has had it’s DNA altered via genetic engineering.