Frankenfoods

2566 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The advantages of genetic modified organism

Frankenfoods

Biotechnology and genetically modified organisms have gained quite a bit of notoriety in the past decade. Proponents of biotechnology are claiming that genetic modification will revolutionize agriculture and medicine and overall benefit human kind far beyond the reaches of imagination. On the other side of the issue, there are those who claim that genetic modification is dangerous and unneeded. But is either side correct? Will GMOs revolutionize the food and health industries or will they cause damage and downfall? Moreover, is it even ethical to tamper with nature and release science fiction into the food supply?

GMOs and the History Behind Them

Genetic modification has been present in agriculture since the Egyptians and the Sumerians first developed it over four thousand years ago. While modification was first used at a very basic level, today it involves implantation of DNA from one organism to another. The basis for genetic modification occurred in the 1970's when the technology to isolate individual genes and alter and copy them in cells was developed. In 1994, the first genetically modified crop, the Flavr Savr Tomato, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale and consumption 1. Since then the GMOs have taken over the agriculture industry with over 22 percent (or roughly 60-70% of commercially sold foods) of crops worldwide being GM crops.

The basis of modern biotechnology began in 1953 when a biologist and a physicist by the names of Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA2 . Since then, scientists have discovered ways to manipulate DNA and even transfer the DNA from one organism to another. Current genetic modification involves a process in which a gene segment literally g...

... middle of paper ...

..., 18 Nov. 2003,

<http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05556.html>

Shah, Anup. Genetically Engineered Food. 2001. 18 Nov. 2003.

< http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GEFood.asp>

Stone, Brad. The Flavr Savr Arrives, 1994, 18 Nov. 2003,

<http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/BA/Flavr_Savr_Arrives.html >

Sutton,Jason. Trasngenetic Crops: An Introductio and Resource Guide, 2002,

<http://www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/TransgenicCrops/hotrice.html>

Traynor,Marty. Hazards of Antibiotic Resistance Genes ni GE Foods, 2002,

<http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/genemarker.cfm>

Wright,Robert. Molrcular Biologists James Watson and Francis Crick, 18 Nov. 2003,

<http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/watsoncrick.html >

http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/biotechnologyOnline/interactives/gene_splicing_interactive.htm

Show More
Related

  • Genetically Modified Food in Canada

    1508 Words  | 4 Pages

    Modern biotechnology was born at the hands of American scientists Herb Boyer and Stain Cohen, when they developed “recombinant deoxyribonucleotide, (rDNA), [1] for medicinal purposes. Subsequently, biotechnologists started genetically engineering agricultural plants using this technology. A single gene responsible for a certain trait, from one organism (usually a bacterium) is selected altered and then ‘spliced” into the DNA of a plant to create an agricultural crop consisting of that...

    Read More

  • Contriversial, Provocative, and Award Winning Film, "Bowling for Columbine"

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...so bad, though, shouldn't the media be covering it and don't citizens have something to be afraid of? And if the media is indeed over-covering the issue and America is safer than we think, why did Moore make this film? CONCLUSION All in all penetrating, contradictory gossipy Michael Moore’s "Columbine" a strong and effective yet moralizing castigation of gun violence is an eye opener for all Americans. "I wanted to say something much larger about how society is manipulated by politicians and corporations into being in a constant state of panic and fear," Moore asserted, "and how once you get the population whipped up like that, conservative regimes can get just about anything they want out of the people without firing a shot." Since I'm not pretending to be an objective journalist in this article, I'll just conclude by saying, Amen to that, Brother. Bibliography

    Read More

  • Masculinity In Macbeth Essay

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    A prominent theme in William Shakespeare’s novel Macbeth is the idea of universal masculinity. Throughout the play, Shakespeare utilizes male gender stereotypes to present conflicting views on the definition of manhood. Macbeth tells the reader about a man who allows both societal pressures inflicted upon him by his wife and his intense ambition to drag Macbeth into a spiral of committing obscene acts of violence. Characters often associate being a man with courage, cruelty and power. This pervading caricature of a “man” is evident to the reader throughout the play. Lady Macbeth, for instance, goads Macbeth about his masculinity to the point of murder. Additionally, Malcolm and Macduff’s rigid discussion on revenge reveals a defined notion of “true” masculinity. Perhaps the culmination of rigid gender stereotypes is evident in Macbeth's pondering of the legitimacy of the hired murderers' manhood. Clearly, Shakespeare upholds male gender stereotypes throughout Macbeth.

    Read More

  • Manhood Revealed In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thesis: Why is manhood such a powerful tool to use on Men? I think manhood is a tool that lady’s use to make guys do stupid stuff or gives them power over them. It also shows guys weaknesses and they will do almost anything when it comes to their manhood. Now when you threaten a guy about his manhood it shows you how far he will go to show you he still has it. In this Macbeth play, manhood is the key, because not only does manhood show weakness in this play but it also starts chaos and destroys people.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Foods Argumentative Essay

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Ronnie Cummins in “Genetically Engineered Foods Are Hazardous” he talks about a British molecular scientist named Dr. Michael Antoniou that points out how there is “unexpected production of toxic substances” in genetic modification that can be very harmful to us humans. Many people believe that since a couple Doctors have labeled them as toxins, why do we even allow these to be put in the foods that we eat? In an article titled “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” by Robin Mather, he has said that the use of glyphosate, a herbicide, can “significantly increase the severity of various plant diseases” which are very hazardous to the environment. In the same article “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” Robin Mather has stated that genetic transfers cannot occur in nature and are not as precise and predictable as people say they are. In another article called “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering” from Issues & Controversies, it has been shown that genetic modification can affect many plants.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Blasted Tree Quotes

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was anonymously published. In the story, the title character brings to life a monstrous creature that reflects his own feelings of worthlessness and destruction. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein compares himself to a blasted tree when he says, ‘But I am a blasted tree’ (Shelley 114-115). Ironically, this quote relates more to the life of the creature than Victor Frankenstein’s life. Mary Shelley uses the metaphor of a blasted tree to emphasize the destruction of not just Victor Frankenstein’s but also the creature’s ties to humanity, his self-worth, and his failure.

    Read More

  • Being a Man in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    559 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although Macbeth's character greatly changes throughout the play, in the beginning, he is seen as a good model of what a man should be like. Known as a "valiant cousin [and a] worthy gentlemen", Macbeth wins the great respect and admiration from his king, Duncan, and his soldiers through his actions on the battlefields. His views on manhood are that one must be loyal to his king, honorable to his friends and honest and loving to his wife. He shows his belief in loyalty to his king by "dar[ing] to do all that may become a man", by fighting seemingly losing battles for the safety of Duncan. Also, the idea of murdering Duncan makes him feel that he would lose his manhood. This is because he feels that if he "dares to be more" that what he is then he is not humble but instead greedy and therefore not a man. Macbeth, as well, shows that although he is cold-hearted on the battlefield, he is not with his wife. Deeply in love with his wife, Macbeth shares everything with her example here. Although this leads him to his eventual doom, his powerful affection towards Lady Macbeth makes him feel complete in his definition of a man.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Manhood In Macbeth

    1231 Words  | 3 Pages

    The theme of “true manhood” in Macbeth is quite diversified and exemplifies the idea of a “true” and “false” man through the actions committed and passages recited by the characters. However what it meant to be a true man was very different to what it meant to be a false man. Thus, one who may possess the power to commit actions like murder through selfish and animal like impulses is comprised of the “false” man. In retrospect, one who is not selfish and thinks for others through kind actions is comprised of the “true” man. These differences of a true and false man lead to what was expected by a man during the Elizabethan Era. Hence, the simple idea of what values, actions and thoughts a man was supposed to possess during this era was pronounced

    Read More

  • Manhood in The Tragedy of Macbeth

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, he uses the theme of manhood to create motives for characters to act like a man. This is seen in many occurrences in Macbeth where characters try to act like men for certain reasons. Characters that apply this action are Macbeth, the first murderer, Macduff, and Young Siward. These actions are seen throughout the play, and play a key role in the development of the performance.

    Read More

  • Masculinity In Macbeth Essay

    763 Words  | 2 Pages

    She is a woman, but desires to be cruel and monstrous like a man. In consideration of murdering King Duncan herself, she requests that the spirits “unsex [her there] / And fill her...Of direst cruelty 1.5.44-46”. This matches Shakespeare’s implication of masculinity, as Lady Macbeth feels that if she were a man, she would more easily be able to commit brutal acts without any feeling of remorse. It indicates that men are stereotyped by Shakespeare to be callous and ruthless while women are perceived as rather fair and harmless. Additionally, Lady Macbeth is a large cause of the brutal behaviours that Macbeth demonstrates throughout the play. She convinces Macbeth that if he slaughters Duncan, he will “Be so much more the man 1.7.56”. This continues emphasize that in order to be discerned as a man, one must be violent and cruel. Shakespeare’s ideas regarding theme of manhood are carried out uniquely to a massive extent, as ideas of masculinity are forced upon Macbeth primarily by Lady Macbeth, who is a

    Read More

  • Challenged Gender Roles in Shakespeare´s Macbeth

    725 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare dramatically shows what can happen when our common gender roles are broken. He shows the power that people can have over others when they aren’t acting the way they’re expected to.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Organisms are Safe

    1945 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this day and age Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have become a topic of large interest in the media. GMOs are defined as an organism whose genetic structure has been altered by incorporating a gene that will express a desirable trait (Dresbach et. al 2013). Often times these traits that are selected are either beneficial to the consumer or producer. Currently, GMOs are being created at a higher rate than ever before and are being used in the foods that we eat. This has created a large amount of debate on local, national, and international levels about the safety of genetically modified foods to human health. There are many angles that have been taken from different groups about this issue. Some believe it is harmful to our health with one source stating that, “mice eating GMO corn had fewer and smaller babies (Jagelio 2013).” Without testing on humans how are we to know these harmful effects aren’t impacting our health and reproduction. Other groups see GMOs as being both beneficial and having no impact on human health. These individuals site that , “Since GMOs were introduced into the food supply almost 20 years ago, there has not been one documented case of any health problem in humans, not even so much as a sniffle, linked to GMOs (Entine 2013).” They have also found GMOs to be beneficial to human health. Dresbach et. al(2013) found, “The biotechnology of gene splicing allows for the opportunity of creating plants that will produce food that is more nutrient dense.” With so many different views that all cite different information about GMO’s impact on human well-being, the question remains how GMOs affect human health?

    Read More

  • Gmo Persuasive Speech

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    How many of you hear the words “genetically modified food” and immediately think “BAD”? How many of you scorn the idea that genetically modified foods are useful? How many of you have been manipulated by the media to think that all biotechnology is evil? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been genetically spliced to achieve a certain trait. As the demand for a larger food supply is increasing due to population growth, the benefits that GMO foods provide are being hailed as the only solution to the food crisis. However, many people are making inadequately informed decisions, and are pushing them to the back shelf. I will inform you on why genetically modified organisms may be the only way to a stable, safe future for the less fortunate.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Manhood In Macbeth

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lady Macbeth represents all the stereotypical qualities of manhood, such as unrelenting determination, cruelty, and lack of emotions. Her interpretation of masculinity is made clear from the very first scene she appears in. When Lady Macbeth realizes that she must kill Duncan in her own home, she states, "Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here" (I. iv. 43-44). Her request shows that she believes a woman is not capable of such cruel and evil acts, and that only a man is. Furthermore, she wants to be filled up from the "crown to the toe, top-full/ Of direst cruelty!" with the "access and passage to remorse", completely blocked off, implying that a man is without remorse and feelings, and full of cruelty (I. iv. 45-47). Lady Macbeth then imposes her idea of Manhood on Macbeth. When Macbeth decides not to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth quickly challenges his manliness by c...

    Read More

  • macbeth

    694 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare draws an amazing psychological portrait of a man who became a villain by means of ambition, desire and an imbalance of good and evil. “Macbeth” is a play composed of the disintegration of a noble man’s world. The play begins by offering the audience Macbeth, a war hero, with a high regard from Duncan, the king of Scotland. By the end of the play Macbeth transforms into a universally despised man without a place in the social community. Shakespeare draws an amazing face of a man made to be a villain by ambition, desire and an imbalance of good and evil.

    Read More

More about Frankenfoods

Open Document