Advantages and Problems of Genetically Modified Agricultural Crops
Genetically Modified food (GM) is most commonly used to refer to crop
plants created for human or animal consumption, using the latest
molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the
laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to
herbicides or improved nutritional content. Genetic engineering can
create plants with the extract desired trait, both accurately and
rapidly. For example frost can destroy sensitive seedlings, an
antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced to plants
such as tobacco and potatoes, and with this anti freeze gene these
plants are able to tolerate the cold temperatures that would normally
kill unmodified seedlings.
Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering resulting in
devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing
countries. Farmers typically use chemical pesticides annually.
Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with
pesticides because of potential health hazards. Growing GM food such
as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t) corn could eliminate the application
of chemical pesticides. B.t is a naturally occurring bacterium that
produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larva; B.t crystal
protein genes have been inserted into corn, enabling the corn to
produce its own pesticides against insects.
There is also a risk that inserting a gene into a plant may create a
new allergen.
The world population is estimated at around 6 million it is predicted
that in the next 50 years that the population will double, ensuring
adequate food supp...
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...ence alone -- but will certainly not be solved without the
contribution of science, including GM. Food scientists and
technologists can support the responsible introduction of GM
techniques provided that issues of product safety, environmental
concerns, ethics and information are satisfactorily addressed. So that
the benefits that this technology can confer become available both to
improve the quality of the food supply and to help feed the world's
escalating population in the coming decades.
As technology becomes even more advanced then GM will gradually become
more accepted into society it will become a natural process in the
years to come.
Bibliography.
www.newscientist.com
www.foodfuture.org.uk
www.scope.educ.washington.edu/gmfood
Waugh. D. 1995 Geography An intergrated approach. 2nd Edition
Genetically modified foods or GM foods are foods that have been changed to improve the size of the product and to progress the efficiency of food production. Genetic engineering can be done on both plants and animals and are processed to make the desired characteristics that are required for selling. Genetically modified food has become a controversial topic because people have different viewpoints on which type of food is better for their health. Many protests were created to ban genetically modified foods because of the harm that it caused to the people and the environment. Although people have different opinions towards this topic, there are numerous advantages and disadvantages in producing and consuming genetically modified foods.
The audience that my paper would pertain to would be Scientists. In today’s society many scientists have been researching the positives and negatives of GMO products. These scientists are involved in this topic due to the intense debate and amount of new information that had yet to been discovered. The reasons many scientists are interested in this topic would due to many saying there are health risks that come with eating GMO products. The views that these professionals hold that will help me would be their position or authority on the subject. Also their view on the subject can also help when needing a valid opinion on the subject.
Genetic engineering or genetic modification of corn refers to using molecular techniques or other similar techniques of biotechnology to add slight quantities of chromosomal material to the atomic structure and composition of corn, to protect it against infestation by pests, harm caused by herbicides or to increase its quality 4. In general, genetically modified corn is wired to resist herbicides and to produce its own insecticide. The trait in corn which tolerates herbicides is produced using tissue culture selection and a chemical called mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate 1. The trait in genetically modified corn that produces insecticide has a certain protein that is poisonous to some insect pests called Bt Toxin, hence the reason why genetically modified corn is also called Bt corn 3.
“Civilization rests on people’s ability to modify plants to make them more suitable as food, feed and fiber plants and all of these modifications are genetic” (American Association 1). This quote from the article “Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors On Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods” expresses that fact that humans have used the favorable genes of plants since the days of Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics. When plants exhibited a desirable trait, they were bred together so that more of the offspring would have that trait. Genetic Modification is manipulating the genome of the plant, but humans have been doing that for years. Modifying the genes is a more precise way to do this. Genetic Modification improves food and is safe.
Genetically Modified crops, or GM crops, refer to plants used in agriculture whose DNA has been purposely altered in order to create a better, more efficient outcome. There are many different GM crops being used today, most commonly plants with built in pesticide or chemical resistance, such as BT corn and roundup ready soy. Though you may not know it, most of what you eat has some form of a genetically modified organism in it. The Food and drug administration, also known as the FDA, has stated that companies in the US are not required to inform the consumer on whether or not a food contains any form of a GMO, or a Genetically Modified Organism. This means that you would not necessarily be informed on whether or not the foods you are buying and eating are GM foods. Of course GM foods have to meet the same requirements as any conventional food would, but just because there is no immediate harm to humans, does not mean that there are no consequences at all. This also could suggest that since it is difficult to predict and prove long term effects of using GM crops, companies are just selling these abnormal crops to farmers and assuming that only good things will result. GM Crops may be created with the intention of helping, but there are many ramifications that are continuing to be ignored. These would include negative effects to human life, unintended harm to animals and the environment, and the fact that we are already losing control of the modified plants that we have created.
Gmo’s have not yet been studied thoroughly to be considered to be put out on the market because the whole idea is relatively new, its not FDA approved, and its not known whether Gmo’s will have long term effects or not.
The use of genetically engineering in agriculture and food production has an impact, not only on the environment and biodiversity, but also on human health. Therefore, thorough biosafety assessment requires, not only an evaluation of environmental impacts of genetically engineered organisms, but also an assessment of the risks that genetically engineered food pose for the health of consumers. Let us take deeper look at some of the aspects related to genetically engineered foods.
around the world will eventually suffer the consequences of this new and porly examined science. What should concern every
A Genetically Modified Organism can be known as a “sped up process of evolution” (Penn State Ag Science Magazine). Genetic modification is done by removing a certain part of DNA from a gene, then placing it into a different organisms gene. The technology is widely used by farmers (Penn State Ag Science Magazine). Genetic modification is usually performed on crops, therefore is “in 70% of our food” (Davis). Genetically Modified Organisms are unsafe for the environment, and will create more long term problems. One might say GMO’s ( Genetically Modified Organisms), are excellent for the economy. But, is an affordable cost, worth poisoning our bodies, and possibly destroying the pollination process around us?
In 1980, the first GMO patent was given to a genetics engineer for an engineered bacteria which consumed the oil from oil spills. Scientists carried out further studies, and in 1944, a tomato with modified DNA to delay rotting, sparked a controversy over the safety of genetically modified organisms. The questions regarding safety of GMOs remains constantly debated today. DNA edited and changed by scientists has the potential to harm or help the environment, and is important to keep legal so further studies can be completed to better the world.
We live in a world that is constantly changing and advancing thanks to technological advancements, especially in the field of molecular genetics. Today, we are discovering and implementing new ways to overcome the ill-fated symptoms developed as a result from poor health or accidents. We are also making advancements in the field of agriculture thanks to molecular genetics. As we all know, food is an essential entity in our lives and is abundant as well as relatively easy to obtain here in the United States. However, as good as it may sound, this is not necessarily true for developing countries. Many people in developing countries receive very little food, if any, due to its scarcity. It is estimated that in Asia alone, close to 800 million people go to bed hungry every night due to food shortage. This problem can be alleviated by turning to the production of genetically modified organisms (a.k.a. GMOs).
This report explains genetically modified food (GMOs) and discusses the benefits and risks associated with the consumptions of GMOs. Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are foods that have been genetically altered using engineering techniques. The most common technique used today is called recombinant DNA technology; this technology combines different molecules from different plant species to create a plant with a new set of genes, a hybrid plant. Another recombinant DNA technology being used is recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) an artificial growth hormone; this hormone is being fed or injected into cows to improve milk production. (ThefreeDictionary)
The most wonderful activity a human being can experience is new flavors and foods. For example, the first time a person tastes a delicious juicy piece of prime rib or a delightful hamburger with cheese and ham, his world is never the same. However, since the beginning of the twentieth century, the production of food has been supplemented by science. This has triggered an angry dispute between the people who support the advances of biotechnology and people who love nature. In order to understand the controversy, we have to know the meaning of genetically modified foods. With new technological advances, scientists can modify seeds from a conventional seed to a high tech seed with shorter maturation times and resistance to dryness, cold and heat. This is possible with the implementation of new genes into the DNA of the conventional seed. Once these "transgenes" are transferred, they can create plants with better characteristics (Harris 164-165). The farmers love it not only because it guarantees a good production, but the cost is also reduced. On the other hand, organizations such as Greenpeace and Friends of Earth have campaigned against GMO (“Riesgos”) because they think that they are negatively affecting the earth (Gerdes 26). Both the advocates and the opponents of genetically modified foods have excellent arguments.
Genetic engineering is a way in which specific genes for an animal or plant can be extracted, and reproduced to form a new animal or plant. These new organisms will express the required trait for that gene. This practice is a very controversial topic within the scientific world. It is being implemented in various areas such as agriculture even though there are many alternatives that can be found for genetic engineered crops, such as organic materials and reducing leeching of the soil. The controversy regarding this practice occurs as it is believed to contribute both negative and positive implications and dangers, not only to oneself but the environment as a whole. Genetic engineering increases the agricultural economy, the yields of agricultural produce, and also causes negative effects on the ecosystem.
Genetic Engineering in Agriculture Introduction Genetic Engineering is the technical manipulation of an object from the natural world in a way in which it would provide a benefit to humans. Genetic engineering is also known as recombinant DNA technology which means changing the genes in a living organism to produce a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) with a new genotype. Various kinds of genetic modification are possible such as inserting a foreign gene from one species into another, forming a transgenic organism; altering an existing gene so that its product is changed; or changing gene expression so that it is translated more often or not at all [1]. Genetic engineering is also sometimes called bioengineering, genetic manipulation, gene technology and biotechnology i.e. the industrial use of biological processes. Why is genetic engineering used in agriculture?