GMO stands for genetically modified organism; Today, Health and local.com explain that a genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order for the plant/meat product to take on the positive qualities of the added DNA. This process produces a new plant that can be more resistant to pests, able to grow in harsh weather conditions, or contain an improved nutritional profile (Today Health). GMOs are surrounded by a lot of controversy in areas from long term safety, to labeling issues: Are genetically modified organisms safe in our common food supply? Should consumers be worried about their health? Because GMOs are here to stay, it’s important to take a close look at the science on their safety. Another key question is not concerning their safety, but about labeling of them on food packages. Currently, the FDA doesn’t mandate approval of genetically modified foods, while food packages aren’t labelled to tell consumers if they have been genetically modified (Genetically Modified Foods). As Mark’s Daily Apple stated, many well-known (molecular) biologists recognize that DNA is a complex system, and that splicing foreign genes into the DNA of a food(-producing) organism can cause unpredictable side effects; this, in turn, could harm the health of the human consumer. Yet, as they also claimed, this genetic engineering of our food/food source, and the widespread presence of such foods in American supermarkets, is based on the presumption that the effects of gene-splicing are “so predictable” that all bioengineered foods can be assumed safe (unless proven otherwise). To this day, there have been no long-... ... middle of paper ... ...ly Apple RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. . "TODAY Health." TODAY. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. "What is GMO Food, and Should You Be Worried About it?." What is GMO Food, and Should You Be Worried About it?. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. . "Why Big Ag Doesn’t Want To Label GMO." GMO Nightmare RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. . "Why You Should Be Concerned About GMOs." Live in the Now RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. .
"The Good, Bad and Ugly about GMOs." Natural Revolution. Natural Revolution , n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. .
The word GMO stands for Genetically-Modified Organism and can also be referred to as Genetically Engineered foods, Genetically Modified Foods, and Biotech. Genetically engineered foods are created when one desired trait is isolated and introduced to another plant by inserting the certain gene. The process, considered genetic breeding, and is much more precise than the regular breeding. While GMOs have been in food for 20 years, currently, the controversy and genetically engineered farms are larger than ever. 82% of Americans want GMOs labeled, but majority fail to understand them (Swanson). 90% of all US grown corn, canola, soybeans, and sugar beets have DNA bits from the lab (Woolston). The United States is the top GMO growing country with 70 million hectares of land dedicated to these farms. (Lee). These modified crops and plants for human and animals are created mainly for withstand herbicides or to produce an insectide. “No GMO traits are on the market for bigger yields, drought resistance, enhanced nutrition or any other consumer benefit” (Burnham). Overall, GE foods’ main purpose is to save money for large corporations.
The controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) lies in the lack of acceptable research on the topic. While numerous studies and experiment have been conducted, unbiased results have yet to be published. On one hand, bioengineers claim their GMOs and GMO products are not harmful and may even be beneficial, while on the other hand, scientists and agriculturists claim they are terrified about the uncertainty surrounding these unnatural products. This paper will explain what GMOs are, then analyze positive and negative claims and determine if they have any validity.
GMO's may be something that you have heard of. If you haven't, it is time to start learning about the dangers of GMO foods. GMO stands for 'genetically modified organisms'; meaning a seed for example, is tweaked so that it is no longer in it's natural state. This modifying creates a greater output, but at what cost to your health?
Stoffel, B. (2013, November 21). 10 foods you'll have to give up to avoid eating GMO's.
Smith, Jeffrey M. "GMO Researchers Attacked, Evidence Denied, and a Population at Risk." SOTT.net. Sott.net, 01 Nov. 2011. Web. 08 May 2014. .
GMOs has been around for nearly 50 years. It is something that has emerged itself within our lifestyles and become something that appear in our daily lives, whether it’s on the shelf in grocery shops or on your plate right know; GMOs can be found almost anywhere. However, although the production of GMOs have certainly increased over the years, opinions on it has differed. Some people have come to believe it is dangerous for our health, while other people has stated the exact opposite. Something that
Our attitudes toward GMO foods range from hostility to indifference. GMO foods, like pesticide-resistant Roundup Ready soybeans and fast-growing salmon, seem to exist primarily to pad corporate pockets. Most people are not aware that they are eating GMO foods. The greater percentage of the population is just looking at the price tag instead of what is in the food product. This technology has the potential to provide sustainable nutrient rich food sources throughout the ages if the science is not abused for the food industry’s
Smith, Daniel P. "What to Know about GMOs." QSR Magazine Oct. 2013: n. pag. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
From the Flavr Savr ™ tomato to the more recent genetically modified corn, genetic engineering has been around for about 20 years. Now, do you really know what GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are? Do you understand both the pros and the cons are? Are you positive that GMOs mat or may not affect your health or the enviroment? If you answered no to any of these questions I strongly suggest you continue reading.
In a world where healthy eating is always a fad, GMO Labeling is a hot topic. There are several misconceptions about GMOs. Products containing GMO's should be appropriately labeled because inappropriate marketing strategies could defer possible consumers, appropriate labels could help advocate understanding that GMO is not a negative additive and consumers have the right to know what is in their food. A GMO is defined as “an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that it’s DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.” Research involving human consumption in GMOs has been in place since 1980, the FDA approved funding for GMOs in 1982. Even though they were approved in 1882, products containing GMOs did not hit grocery stores until late 1994.
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)
GMOs contain negative health risks for the human body that are undetected and unadvertised by most tests conducted by GM food production companies. Not only do GMOs have negative effects on the body, but they also harm the environment. The environment is defined by the surroundings or conditions where a person, plant, or animal lives and operates. Some claim that GM crops benefit the environment by reducing pesticide use and increasing the crop yields, but the past 20 years have shown the opposite. GMO crops have not improved yields and have increased the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient in certain herbicides. According to USDA and EPA data, by 2011 there were three times as many herbicide-resistant weeds found in farmer’s fields than there were in 2001, one of the early years, farmers started using GMOs in their
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are one of the most important issues in the world today. GMOs are organisms that have had their genetic DNA altered for improvements in productivity and quality. Their pros and cons to those who consume them and the economy around them have been weighed heavily for years, with no true answers coming to the surface. With the widespread science of GMOs becoming more abundant, people should know the truth behind what is being done to their food before consumption, to then form their own opinions. However, all bias aside, GMOs do cause harm in many ways, but while benefiting the world in many ways.
Genetically modified foods most commonly refers to the plants, which has been modified in the laboratory to enhance improved nutritional content and aimed traits created for human beings and animals. With progress in various types of technology, especially in genetic engineering, farmers and scientists have changed the way in which food is grown and made, raising questions about the methods, their risks and possible effects. It is not a secret that GMF-ed foods have spread out rapidly to the whole world. GMFs have raised concerns over their own beneficial in that they are resistant to diseases, produces greater yields, and it improves the nutrition of foods making the people unaware about their effects. Every time we go to any grocery stores or supermarkets, we would not know whether the vegetables, fruits or even meats being sold are genetically modified. To make this situation worse, most consumers do not pay much attention to what they are eating, when they are actually consuming modified foods.