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.
There has been an ongoing debate about the use of GMOs in the food we eat since the late 1900’s. People try to decide what is best for the body, but never know what they are feeding themselves even after reading the nutritional labels. Whether eating at a local fast food joint or a high-end restaurant, people are unaware of where their food is actually coming from and the process it takes to their plate. Little do they know that in the beginning stages of what they eat, there is some modification to the crop. Monsanto is an agribusiness focused on the growth of crops involving GMOs. Produced by Monsanto, many genetically modified crops go into several foods that people eat. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism that uses genes
While many argue that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are beneficial, it has been proven otherwise. The term GMO is an organism where it's genetic material has been modified through genetic engineering or gene splicing. (NON-GMO PROJECT, 2014) GMO ranges from plants, insects, mammals all the way to micro organisms and bacteria. (EFSA, 2014) GMO's can reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides as well as alter components of food such as nutrients, However, even though GMO's has its benefits such as its resistance to pests and herbicides (Whitman, 2000) the disadvantages outweighs the benefits by far. Genetically Modified Organism are a danger to the human health because GMOs harm the environment and pose a national health risk in addition to economic concerns.
Genetically modified organisms are used in genetically modified foods because of their ability to alter a food’s natural structure. Genetically modified foods are considered to be of little economic value because of the fact that GMO’s take the same amount of time to develop as non-GMO foods (Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods”). In summary, genetically modified foods are considered to be detrimental to a human being’s body because of the genetic engineering involved in the growth and development of certain foods. These foods are enhanced with chemicals and have the danger of adverse side effects caused by overconsumption leading to numerous studies suggesting that organic foods are a healthier choice when correlating organic foods with the benefits of proper human health.
Genetically modified foods are developed by combining genes from two different organisms which alters it's DNA and do not occur naturally. Biotechnology is relatively new so like most people, I turned to research to argue this issue with facts. In my opinion, genetically modifying foods have more harmful effects than they do beneficial. I am against their use because it creates safety risks for our health and animals, it can damage the environment and we have to deal with the total costs.
Miller first mentions how in any study a lot of scientists use animals as a way to test out theories. In this case animals were given modified food and what they found was that the food was harming the animals; they were suffering. Considering what occurred to the animals, why should we even consider trusting a modified plant? “Genetically modified foods - also called genetically engineered foods – contain DNA that scientists have modified in an unnatural way, such as by adding a gene from a different organism, according to the world Health Organization” (Miller). In this aspect no one would be willing to purchase a product like this, there should be a reason to be scared of the word GMO. Some of the make up`s are good for our economy and the plants but they cannot or should not be classified as a GMO. Miller even points out “At the event, Druker, a public interest attorney, argued that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has misrepresented the safety of genetically modified foods and violated federal food safety law by allowing them onto the market.” That right there should answer anyone’s question about GMO`s not being proven to be safe, because not every make up is suitable for our
Genetically Modified Organisms has some cause for concern as it relates to the United States food supply. It is essentially has become an double edge sword for the food industry I t has caused food to be produced at a much faster rate, however it has just able killed off other industries related to agriculture, and farming, because their services are no longer needed with this form of food production.This method of food production should be banned from being able to be used to grow food, because Genetically modified organisms can potentially cause an allergic reactions in some people, and the process of using other unsafe measures such as plants viruses to combat the issue of crops getting a disease.
Over the past decade, there has been much debate on the topic of genetically modified foods. It has been questioned whether or not these products benefit society more than they hurt it. There has not been enough time to study the long term affects of this type of food, but recent findings have shown that the field offers great potential. There are many people who wish to see genetically modified foods banned because they are uncomfortable with the idea, but this type of thinking is completely illogical. Our society should be more accepting towards genetically modified foods because they are a great way to feed our growing population, extra nutrients can be added to the foods, and they offer us a wider, cheaper variety of food.
By the year 2012, over 70 percent of the processed foods in the U.S can be linked to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Despite this strong dependency on the manipulation of genetic material, there are many questions concerning long-lasting impacts such food could bring. The government of the United States of America should enforce stricter restrictions on the consumption, production, and availability of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Genetically engineered foods have detrimental impacts on the environment, are linked to large, monopolizing industries, and do not reduce world hunger.
The actual controversy is much more complex and requires a more nuanced view of the topic. GMOs are not the scary monsters many people imagine them as, they simply have a trait from another organism added into their genome which has been shown through many reputable studies to be completely fine for consumption. However, some traits have been shown to be harmful and as such caution must be used moving forward in the creation and implementation of GMOs. In order to ensure this occurs in a responsible way it is important for the public to realize that GMOs are not harmful in and of themselves and instead need to be evaluated individually so that the growing food demand can be met while still maintaining a safe
Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs are made with purpose of improving the overall qualify of life, but instead they are taking a toll on society's health.GMO food is an unknown that holds many risks that are detrimental to our health and are having more negative effects than positive.
Do you really know what you are consuming? “It is estimated that 60 to 70 percent of all processed foods available on store shelves contain GMO ingredients, particularly corn or high fructose corn syrup, soybeans, and cottonseed or canola oils.” (Edorsh, Pg. 15) According to the USDA, the United States grew about 19 million tons of transgenic potatoes in 2012. (Rotman, Pg. 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.
To begin with, there is too much Gmo in our food. We should make less foods with GMO and grow more foods on farms. Also a lot of people prefer non GMO foods over GMO foods. If we also make more of our food on farms we can get more people to get jobs. “ GM critics also worry that transgenic crops could harm wildlife and cause lasting damage to fragile food chains. GM crops harm wildlife. Since some birds and small mammals feed on these crops they will soon disappear. They will disappear because they are making the crops