GMOs: Feeding a World

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Recommended: Benefits of genetic modification

At the start of my freshman year in high school, I had the honor of competing at the South Dakota FFA Convention. In my spare time, my teacher mentioned that I should go watch our agricultural issues team. The group presented a skit on genetic modification that planted curiosity within me and forever changed my view on science. It was then that I learned the world population is currently nearing seven million people. This number is projected to reach nine million by the year 2050. Scientists have long been asking how we are to feed and clothe such a growing world. They have turned to genetic modification.

Genetic modification is defined as ‘the use of modern biotechnology techniques to change the genes of an organism, such as a plant or animal’. This process takes the genes from one organism and inserts them into another, therefore removing all undesirable traits. At this point, you might be imagining a mad scientist attempting to create Frankenstein. The practice, however, is safe and has been around for years.

The first correct structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. Following their discovery came the creation of recombinant bacteria in 1973. The first example of genetic modification came about when scientists placed an exogenic Salmonella gene in an existing E. coli bacterium. Scientists, however, recommended in 1975 that the government should oversee recombinant DNA research until it was proven safe. Later, Genentech became the first company to use genetic modification in 1976. Two years later, the human protein insulin was produced by genetically altering an E. coli strain. Soon, plants were also being modified, and in 1986, scientists found a way to prevent frost damage...

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...ing safeguards, for the future. The world is growing; that cannot be denied. Through genetic modification, scientists have provided us not only with improvement to agriculture, but expanses in the medical field and the solution to feeding and clothing a world that will double in only 61 years. We have reached a crucial point in our history where our next step determines the future of the entire population. It is my belief that the answer to this great predicament lies in genetic modification. The key lies with science.

Works Cited

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2009/ucm109066.htm

http://agribiotech.info/details/AlisonGE%20Animalssent%20to%20web%2002.pdf

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html

http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/

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