Genetically Modified crops, or GM crops, refer to plants used in agriculture whose DNA has been purposely altered in order to create a better, more efficient outcome. There are many different GM crops being used today, most commonly plants with built in pesticide or chemical resistance, such as BT corn and roundup ready soy. Though you may not know it, most of what you eat has some form of a genetically modified organism in it. The Food and drug administration, also known as the FDA, has stated that
status. However the quality and yield of these crops are low and many farmers are unable to reach their maximum potential and raise enough capital to support them through the year. Therefore the potential use of GM crops to help increase yields and durability of crops is a positive one. However due to the controversy of GM crops within the UK and the rest of the world, developing countries are in a constant battle to try and persuade their country that GM crops are within context for the developmental
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
distribution of consumption of primary production from this agriculture is greatly unequal. Genetically modifying food is one possible solution that is already being heavily researched and tested, and is receiving its fair amount of praise for growing crops and raising livestock more efficiently and effectively as well as environmentally friendly ideals and management of natural resources. But there are also serious concerns over the safety of genetically modified foods on humans and other organisms,
though it is indeed possible that gene transfer of the genetically modified (GM) gene into the DNA of mammalian cells could occur, it would not have any persistent or negative effect on the recipient. HGT into microorganisms might be a concern if antibiotic resistance was conveyed to the recipient but in light of this fact resistance to key antibiotics is not used in the creation of GMOs. Therefore, the overall potential of GM foods to have negative effects on human health due to the aforementioned
Wake Up and Smell the Genetically Modified Coffee A recent upsurge of opposition to the production of genetically modified crops has farmers all over America asking themselves one question: To modify or not to modify? Genetically modified (GM) crops allow farmers to use fewer pesticides while still achieving the same yields. American farmers have planted GM crops since 1995 and, at least for the first few years, had no problems selling these products to the public. Recently, however, there
Looking at Both Sides of the Genetically Modified Foods Issue Genetically modified (GM) foods hold many promises for improving life. With their amazing breakthroughs, biotechnology firms have manipulated the genetic structure of many high-demand crops, bestowing them with amazing properties. Natural herbicide and pesticide-producing genes have been inserted into corn to kill off weeds and pests without directly poisoning the environment. Production costs and maintenance time have been decreased
Genetically Modified Crops Genetically modified crops (GM crops) climb to the top on the hotly debated issues list of society. In 1996, no GM crops were cultivated on a commercial scale in the United States. In 2002, 75% of soya, 71% of cotton, and 34% of all maize grown in America is GM ("Grim Reaper" 1). Many issues surround this controversial topic such as safety, ethics, and foreign relations. Many of these concerns are well stressed in mass media, but sometimes biased views are the
like the technology's benefits while others raise questions about environmental and food safety issues. Crop varieties developed by genetic engineering were first introduced for commercial production in 1996. Today, these crops are planted on more than 167 million acres worldwide. U.S. farmers are by far the largest producers of genetically modified (GM) crops (6)(8). Genetically Modified Crops are foods that have had a gene extracted from a living thing, which has been placed into a different food
this article is regarding the banning and lack of approval for blight-resistant potatoes in the european union. Late potato blight, a potato disease caused by the the eukaryotic microorganism phytophthora infestans, is a significant cause for loss of crop and yield by potato farmers. Looking back to the past, the blight was responsible for the catastrophic Irish Great Famine of the 1840s causing eradication of their main food source, potatoes. As a result of the blight, potatoes become rotten and unsafe