Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
negative effects of genetically modified organisms
Ethical considerations for using Genetically modified crops
health implication of genetic modified food
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: negative effects of genetically modified organisms
Public cities around the world are becoming more involved with a wide array of new technologies without realizing it. From super computers that calculate the movement of satellites without human involvement, to handheld personal computers. Consumers abide with an egregious array of brand new scientific advances that are accompanied by confusing new terms. The food and drug administration, commonly known as the F.D.A, is focusing much of their time with food biotechnology. The all-encompassing use of biotechnology when applied to agriculture and food production increases the deeply felt environmental, economic and ethical concern. The liberation of genetically engineered organisms into the environment poses apprehensive questions regarding the serious promising risk to human health.
Genetic engineering or genetic modification is a procedure that requires direct human manipulation of organism’s genetic makeup, altering their DNA that would not commonly happen under natural circumstances. Such applications include the implementation of human genes into animals as well as animal genes into other animals and plants. The industry which practices this gene modification is commonly known as biotechnology. In the next few years this industry has plans to release genetically engineered bacteria, viruses as well as transgenic animals into the environment. With the release of engineered organisms, many feel apprehensive and concerned with the potential harm it may cause to human health. Because the modified organisms are living, they are more likely to be unpredictable than chemicals. Jeremy Rifkin suggests, “the long-term cumulative environmental impact of releasing thousands of genetically engineered organisms could be equally destruc...
... middle of paper ...
...
Fry-Revere, Sigrid. "Cloning Animals for Food Is Morally Permissible." Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.
Pollack, Andrew. "F.D.A. hearing focuses on the labeling of genetically engineered salmon." New York Times 22 Sept. 2010: B3 (L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.
Pollack, Andrew. "Rules near for animals' engineering." New York Times 18 Sept. 2008: C15(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.
Phillips, Susan C. "Genetically Engineered Foods." CQ Researcher 4.29 (1994): 673-696.
CQ Researcher. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.
Entine, Jon. "Genetically Modified Foods Are Safe." Ethical Corporation (Apr. 2006). Rpt. in Genetically Engineered Foods. Ed. Nancy Harris. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 5 Dec. 2010
A substantial percentage of the work on the ethics of genetically modified food has primarily centralized on its potentially nocuous effects on human health and on the rights to label
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis. Just as the market for GM foods has increased, the level of opposition has increased as well, even up to the point of terrorist action against producers, growers, and sellers of genetically modified foods. So the question is posed, will GM foods be the future or the failure of our agricultural system?
The growing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have left many Americans and people all around the world with various questions and concerns as to what they are really putting into their bodies. The issue at hand is one that, although is very dominant in the world today, many are still uneducated on the problem and have not been informed with the facts. GMOs have been placed in the world without much question or second thought and it is time that America hear what should have been told many years ago. Although over ninety percent of the food eaten everyday has been genetically modified in the United States, many today believe the food they eat everyday is perfectly healthy, safe, and beneficiary for them. On the contrary, however, others will argue that the food has become poisoned, unsanitary, and detrimental to the health of themselves and others due to the ongoing issue of genetically engineered foods. As food production grows, and more suspicions rise to the surface, many people are left with the begging question, “Are GMOs really bad for us?” Everyone one is entitled to his or her own opinion and there are many out there who would like to believe one side or another. Regardless of who believes what, after the research is conducted, in hopes of accumulating a better understanding of the issue, it will be known what genetically modified organisms really are, where genetically mutated crops originate from and whether genetically modifying crops are harming or benefiting the world.
Whitman, Debrah “Genetically Modified Foods.” Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? Web. 19 January 2014.
Everyday science and new technology are digging their roots deeper into society. Biotechnology is expanding continuously with new fields of research. Genetic engineering has swallowed today’s world and many people don’t even realize it. Genetically modified foods are in our diets and on the shelves in the supermarket. We are being introduced to new types of food, ones that are more healthy and fresh than before. This modifying process is taking place in biotechnical laboratories all over the world, where scientists study which genes are strong and which ones are weak. They then slice and dice these genes, sandwich them in any order, and pack them “to go”.
Robert M. Hutchins, known for his contributions to philosophy, said that, “A civilization in which there is not a continuous controversy about important issues is on the way to totalitarianism and death.” While I do not necessarily agree with the former, or the latter, for that matter (no rhyme intended), it is imperative for us, as people, regardless of nationality, to ask questions. On the topic of important issues are genetically modified foods. The specific tangent on genetically modified foods is the question of whether or not genetically modified foods should have mandatory labeling. Instead of being a staunch absolutist and deciding so hastily on the matter of GMOs, the merits and drawbacks of this issue need to be discussed.
The term GMO is typically used to refer to crops designed for animal or human food, but making them better through biological technologies (Phillips). Genetically modified organisms, also known as GMO’s, have been helping the world try to explore scientific feats. They can help clean up oil-spills (Anderson), or even help a farmer make a little extra money (Lilliston). The question everyone is asking: “Is this really helping us, or not?” People everywhere are debating if these are safe for not only us, but our planet as well. People think that toxins from these modifications could possible pollute our planet and our bodies. (Anderson)
Thirty years ago an average person could walk into any grocery store and purchase their desired food product without many fears. They could confidently purchase a stalk of corn or a bag of potato chips knowing that consuming them will not put their health at risk . They could happily purchase fresh fruits and vegetables knowing that they have been grown naturally in an environmentally friendly, chemical free and safe environment. Thirty years later, this is not the case. Today, consumers are kept in the dark and are part of an uncontrolled, unregulated mass human experiment known as genetic engineering . The result of this experiment are genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are a large group of organisms
“Genetically modified foods are a "Pandora's box" of known and unknown risks to humans and the environment. They have been forced onto the American public by multinational biotech and agribusiness corporations without adequate oversight and regulation by the United States government (Driscoll, SallyMorley, David C).”Genetically Modified Food is food which has been chemically altered by scientists during the production process to give the food more nutrients, better appearance, and a longer shelf-life (Rich, Alex K.Warhol, Tom). The importance of this issue is that these GMO’s can actually have a negative effect in our society in general. It could mutate in a negative way and cause cancer or other diseases. Genetically modified food should be strictly controlled due to its various detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and potentially insect/animal effects.
How many of you hear the words “genetically modified food” and immediately think “BAD”? How many of you scorn the idea that genetically modified foods are useful? How many of you have been manipulated by the media to think that all biotechnology is evil? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been genetically spliced to achieve a certain trait. As the demand for a larger food supply is increasing due to population growth, the benefits that GMO foods provide are being hailed as the only solution to the food crisis. However, many people are making inadequately informed decisions, and are pushing them to the back shelf. I will inform you on why genetically modified organisms may be the only way to a stable, safe future for the less fortunate.
Genetically modified organisms, a complex substance, have stirred up a global argument that is as equally complex. With people on both sides of the argument, who are firm believers in their opinion, it is hard to choose which opinion to believe in. It is important for the public to understand that “GM technology adds desirable traits from nature, without introducing anything unnatural or using chemicals, so that food is more plentiful” (“The Facts about GMOs”). The everyday person has a common misconception that genetically modified organisms are bad for humans and the environment because of the bad reputation that the non-scientific world gives them. The World Health Organization is cited saying, “Genetically modified foods are “foods derived
Genetically modified foods are a controversial subject in today’s society. A genetically modified food is the result of biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic makeup of a food or organism to be altered in some way. They benefit the human race in many ways but they also pose many risks to the health of humans and the good of the environment. There is currently not enough proof to ensure the safety of these genetically modified products. Consuming these genetically altered and more processed foods can lead to increased
The defenders of biotechnology extol its potential to increase food production and quality and to cure diseases and prolong human life. Its critics, on the other hand, claim that genetic engineering of food would produce “ Frankenfoods ” (Best and Kellner 440) that would pollute
Not so long ago genetic modification was a thing of fiction, of mad scientists with crazy hair making monsters in laboratories powered by lightning. This is not true; genetic modification did take place is laboratories by scientists who might have had crazy hair, but it was a much safer than described above. There were, however, some organisms created that could have caused terrible consequences to the surrounding environment which is why "…guidelines for experiments were developed, and today genetic engineering experiments are carried out with relative safety in labs" (Kowalski). Despite this assurance, the past and fiction lingers in the minds of consumers everywhere which is one of the many reasons they why advocate for labels on modified organisms. "Criti...
As biotechnology crops and foods have proliferated, so have questions and concerns. European consumers, perhaps because of unrelated food scares about diseased beef and contaminated soda, are arguing to label biotech food or keep it out of stores. Consumers in the United States are starting to pay more attention to these issues. Concerns range from food safety to environmental impact. Also framing the debate are ethical questions, including whether it is right to change the genetic makeup of a plant. Some objections that activists raise also apply to conventional crops grown with modern high-intensity agriculture.