Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods

So why were GMOs created? The answer to that is simple, they wanted to make their crops durable. That means that they are genetically modifying their crops, giving them insect resistance, virus resistance, and herbicide tolerance. Now before getting any further into what is happening to crops, there needs to be some clarification on how GMOs are put into food and crops. Scientists use a method using what they call, a “gene gun.” How it works is a piece of gold (1 micron in diameter) is coated with GM (genetically modified) molecules.

30) Many Americans do not know that genetically modified foods are a staple of United States agriculture. Genetically modified foods are harmful to the human body because: they harm internal organs, cause birth defects in babies, and can potentially lead to cancer. Genetically modified foods, also known as “GMO’s” “is the manipulation of DNA by humans to change essential genetic makeup of plants and animals.” (Mather, Pg. 42) New technology allows scientists to remove the genetic material from one plant species and insert them into another plant species, thus creating a new gene quality. This allows plants to produce pesticides and herbicides.

The next step involves E.coli bacteria. Gaps are created in the E.coli DNA and when the soil bacteria and E.coli are introduced to one another some of the E.coli DNA recombines with the Roundup® resistant bacteria. Then, the bio technician smuggles the engineered DNA into the cells of the corn plant they want to modify. Cells will naturally reject foreign DNA so th... ... middle of paper ... ... Problems With GMOs.

According to Bakshi (p.211), the use of biotechnology in agricultural production is a major tool for enhancing food security and sustaining the environment. Biotechnology is considered important in addressing the challenge of food availability, alleviation of poverty and environmental conservation. In this regard (Tramper et al 408), it is important to note that GMOs are produced by the introduction of extra genetic information into a certain organism through genetic engineering. The methods are a natural creation of the strategies hitherto employed with an aim of getting different varieties and strains. While some have seen GMOs as a solution to hunger, others have considered this innovation a danger as far as food security is concerned.

Genetically Engineered Crops Chemical and seed companies have been working the last several years to alter the genetic make-up of certain crops to combat heavy pressure from insects and weeds. Through genetic manipulation plant breeders have been able to make certain crops resistant to different types of chemicals and insects. Breeders can alter the crops by adding to a specific plant one or more genes from other related crops with a known resistance to an insect or herbicide The use of genetically engineered crops has become a hotly debated topic over the last couple of years. Environmentalists are concerned with how these new crops will affect the environment. Farmers want to know how these crops will help them to increase production and increase profits.

These plants are different in that they have had genes inserted into their genetic code, giving them added traits which are suppose to aid them in producing greater yield or defending against insects and disease, amongst other benefits. But their benefits are short-sighted; people around the world will eventually suffer the consequences of this new and porly examined science. What should concern every person is that not only does it affect our ability to produce crops, it also affects our health. Fortunately, there is a way to change our heading away from this dangerous course. The Federal Drug Administration, Environment Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture, are the regulators which work to ensure only safe crops are introduced to the environment as well as our food supply.

So instead of scientists using breeding they use a method known as genetic engineering, which can create plants with desired a lot faster and with more accuracy. An example of genetic engineering in plants is, a scientist can take a gene from a crop that has drought tolerance and put that gene into another plant to give the plant more drought tolerance. Other examples of genetic engineering are the placement of genes into plants that produce crystals that will kill insects that try to eat off the plants, creating a natural p... ... middle of paper ... ...h proper nutrition. Criticisms that are against genetically modified foods are unintended harm to other species. The unintended harm comes from the genes is some crops that cause some insects to die.

There are several definitions for genetically modified crops including foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. The way these modified DNA cells work is simple. They are created from a stem cell, which means the base cell that has all of the DNA coding in it ready for division. These modified cells are unnatural to our bodies, so often times new isn’t always the best way to go. Genetically modified crops should be used in moderation, because they can have very negative effects on the population.

INTRODUCTION Genetic engineering (GE) or genetic modification (GM) are both terms used to describe methods “ to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics”. Genetic technologies in crops involve the use of GE to change the make-up of certain plants in order to improve their quality or quantity. This essay will critique the following inference that: For centuries human beings have used conventional techniques of selective breeding and cross-breeding of animals and plants to add desired characteristics and reduce or eliminate unwanted ones. New genetic technologies should be welcomed as providing more efficient, effective and controlled mechanisms for improving the quality and quantity of food which can be produced from limited resources of land. ARGUMENT FOR THE STATEMENT.

Genetically Modifying Food Genetically modifying food is becoming a highly controversial issue these days. Some scientists believe that Genetic Modified Food (GMF) can benefit the community in a great variety of ways, while others believe that it can do a great harm to the environment and human health. In addition, GMF raises many issues in regards to religions, ethics, law and many others. More importantly, what we should be concerned is whether having the ability to genetically modify species gives us the right to do so. Before we go on any further, it is extremely crucial for us to fully understand what exactly genetically modifying food is all about.