The Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods

In the pre-historic times to the 1900s, the farmers found food from plants they find in nature, and farmers’ plant seeds saved from domesticated crops. Some naturalists and farmers began to recognize hybrid plants produced through breeding between related varieties or of the same species of plants. In 1900s European plant scientists began using Gregor Mendel’s genetic theory to manipulate and improve plant species. A plant of one variety is crossed with a related plant to produce the desired characteristics. The history of genetically modified organisms – GMOs – in agriculture actually began before recorded history. Prehistoric farmers have been selecting the most productive plants and seeds from their domesticated crops for up to 10,000 years (livinghistoryfarm.org). Scientists were discovering and controlling a natural process. Today, scientists have discovered ways to actually modify the internal structures and sequence of genes, particularly in plants. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become the man-made miracle of the 21st century – for better or worse (livinghistoryfarm.org).

The history of genetically modified foods can be traced back to 1983 when a genetically modified tobacco plant was developed (Murnaghan,I. 2012). Throughout the last thirty years, the practice has come a long way. There have been many controversies associated with the benefits and the risks of genetically modified foods and the production process.

Historical records indicate that genetically modified food has roots as far back as the middle of the 19th century. During this time an Austrian monk and botanist named Gregor Mendel conducted an experiment where he crossbred a tall pea species with a short pea species to show ...

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...nto the food supply, antibiotic resistance, and human health risks such as allergenicity (acadamia.edu).

GMOs have had a tremendous impact on the world’s food supply. Genetically modified food seems to be the best solution to this problem of feeding the people and it would also be better for the environment and surrounding because it gives the possibility to use less chemicals. Risks and precautions do need to be taken into account while manufacturing these foods, such as machine checks and permits to produce the foods, however, they seem to have more advantages than disadvantages. With correct labeling people should be able to make up their own mind on whether they choose the foods if they hold ethical or personal issue with the foods or have any allergies. They have the choice to decide for their health and welfare based on their point of view on GMOs.