Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods

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Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods

Are genetically modified foods safe? Genetically modified foods are crop plants created for human or animal consumption using molecular biological techniques. These plants have been modified to enhance certain traits like increased resistance to herbicides or improve nutritional content. This process traditionally has been done through breeding, but is not very accurate. Scientists have been using biotechnology to implant the gene that makes the plants act the way they want them to. Genetically modified foods have advantages and disadvantages on the environment and advantages and disadvantages on society. We have to weigh the positives and negatives to see if genetically modified foods are healthy for us and if we really need them.

Genetically modified foods have a huge impact on our environment. One way that genetically modified foods are hurting our environment is that process can involve the exchange of genes between two totally different species. People are actually putting scorpion toxin into corn and fish antifreeze into tomatoes (De Greef). These changes in the plants make the plant able to with stand the attack of pests and weather, but it is still possible that the plant’s DNA will cross and make bad toxins. If a farmer plants a crop that has the resistance to herbicides, drought, cold, and pests those plants can eventually cross with weeds and then the farmer will end up with weeds that are resistant to everything too. Then the scientists will end up having to make the plants stronger to fight off the weeds, then the weeds will get stronger, and the cycle will keep on going. Another argument for the ban of...

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...ng-term testing being done on the effects they have on human beings or warnings on the products that they do contain genetically modified ingredients. The only solution that can be done is to continue testing all the genetically modified products, so that when they do get into our stores they are safe for everyone.

Bibliography:

Becker, Hank. Revolutionizing Hybrid Corn Production. Copyright Economist Newspaper, 1996.

Clinton Urged to Protect Consumers From Bio-Corn Contamination. November 25, 2000. 10 November 2000. http://www.consumerunion.org/food/gef2cpi1000.htm.

De Greef, Willy. A Moral Maize. Copyright Economist Newspaper, 1996.

Genetically Modified Foods. November 25, 2000. 10 November 2000. http://www.csa.com/hottopics/gmfood/oview.html.

Kimbrell, Andrew. "Seeds of Conflict." PerAds-Ecologist 29 no.4. (Jul 1999): 249-250

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