Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods

In a study in the early 1990's rats were fed genetically modified (GM) tomatoes. Well actually, the rats refused to eat them. They were force-fed. Several of the rats developed stomach lesions and seven out of forty died within two weeks. Scientists at the FDA who reviewed the study agreed that it did not prove the GMO are not bad, so pretty much saying they are. In fact, agency scientists warned that GM foods in general might create unpredicted allergies, toxins, antibiotic resistant diseases, and nutritional problems. Americans eat genetically modified foods everyday. Although the GMO tomato has been taken off the market, millions of acres of soy, corn, canola, and cotton have had foreign genes inserted into their DNA. The new genes allow the crops to

Most foods in the United States have become genetically modified over the years, in fact, experts say that 60- 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery store shelves have genetically modified(GM) ingredients. (Web MD, 2013) Due to the fact that the US is the leading producer in these genetically modified crops, there is a large amount of controversy surrounding whether or not these things are safe. Some of these concerns are that not many people really know what they are, why they have been modified, if it is safe to consume these products, and how they actually modify the ingredients to these foods. However, many people often assume things and make false arguments without doing research on the topic of genetically modified foods in the first place.

In the past 20 years, genetically modified foods have become more popular due to their health benefits and higher growing rates. Genetically modified organisms have many advantages but can sometimes have negative effects on the environment.

Since being a controversial topic, there are two sides to genetically engineered food. Genetically engineered foods are supported by many people, because they compose foods that feed more people because they’re larger. Since they’re larger, they’re supposed to have more nutrients in them as well. They also can help with increased yields and stronger crops, which will link to enhanced farming technique. One of the best reasons GMO’s are “good” is because, they can be transported long distances since they have an increased resistance to spoilage with a better coverage.

For many years, scientists have been attempting to create perfect or near perfect genetically modified crops that benefit people, animals, and the environment. But there are many consequences when changing the plants DNA. It harms the animals that are being used as test subjects and on some occasions killed, effects other plants that are growing around the genetically modified crops, kills insects that come in contact with the BT crops that create a chemical that is supposed to kill the insects that feed on it. Farmers can't afford to pay for the crops due to the high prices, people sometimes are effected by the crops because there are still issues with allergic reactions from the modifications, internal bodily functions when exposed to genetically modified crops, animals and plants effected by GM crops, Harmless insects that are killed by bt crops. Some of the reasons that genetically modified crops shouldn't be released to the public is because accidents have caused genetically modified plants to spread in the wild, they can effect the f...

Genetically modified foods have been introduced for many reasons; one reason is because of climate change. (Michaels, 2012) Weather has become so unpredictable, that food crops are getting destroyed, whether the temperature is too low, not enough rain causing drought in some areas, or other natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes. (Michaels, 2012) These problems destroy the food crops, and soil for farmers to plant again, and with increase in food demand, genetically modified food is becoming the answer to solve these problems. Studies have gone to allow genetically modified foods to contain essential vaccines and use them in developing countries. (Michaels, 2012)

When these genetically modified foods are consumed, they cause risks to human health. Problems that occur consist of organ toxicity, food allergies, autism and many more health problems. The main cause of these health issues is what companies use to protect their crops when they are grown. Most farmers use an herbicide to keep unwanted foliage out. In most herbicides there is an active ingredient called glyphosate (Why Label Gmos). When

According to US Food the US Food and Drug Administration has an extensive screening process for new genetically modified organisms. First the new organism is screened for toxic substances and allergens by a qualified team of specialists. Then the organism nutrients are compared to a comparable organism and if they are not comparable the organism will not be allowed to be sold. (Shermer)Another reason that they are safe is how long people have been tampering with the genes of plants. People have selectively breed plant genes for over 10,000 years.(Shermer) (We p. 57)Lastly there have been over 1700 studies on the safety of genetically modified organisms that all have found them to be safe and the technology for making them has become more precise than ever allowing for smaller margins of error and less mistakes.(We p.57) It has been proven that they are safe over years of testing but they can also be used to reduce the chemical byproducts of

A well-known company involved in producing and selling genetically engineered products is Monsanto. In 1974 Monsanto brought the herbicide ‘Round-Up’ (Glyphosate) to the market, this product kills weeds but not the crop. Once the patent ran out in 1991 on Monsanto’s ‘Round-Up’ they turned their attention to genetically modifying food to be resistant to glyphosate in order to keep the money coming in. It is toxic and by eating the foods sprayed with it we are poisoning ourselves. Almost all the processed food in our supermarkets contains a residual amount of glyphosate herbicides. Monsanto initially claimed their ‘Round-up’ product was biodegradable, environmentally friendly and that it also left the soil clean, however in 2009 they were found

There has been a debate about whether or not the genetic modification of microorganisms, plants, and animals should be continued or not. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are found in 70-80 percent of America’s processed foods. By using the simple, cheap and effective gene-editing system called Crispr-Cas9, scientists can manipulate the genes of organisms such as plants to change or improve them. From my point of view, with all the potential risks, GMOs need to be labeled and should continue to be strictly tested for longer terms until proven completely safe, as they have not been studied adequately. The possibility of health and environmental complications, such as new allergic reactions and resistant “super weeds”, are not something