Genetically Engineered Crops: The Benefits Outweigh the Risks

“Benefits and risks associated with genetically modified food products.” Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine. 2013. Web. 6 May. 2014.

Some of the current uses of genetically modifications being used are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, nutritional content, pharmaceuticals, edible vaccines, and phytoremdiation (Whitm... ... middle of paper ... ...the right of the consumer to make an informed decision regarding the foods that they eat. In the end, it is the consumer that will decide, regardless of what the scientific evidence eventually appears. Works Cited NG, J. (2008). UK experts urge RP consumers to push for GMO labeling.

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.

Like any contemporary moral issue, there are parts of the issue that are black and white with the rest of it being one huge gray area needing to be properly defined, and the issue of GMOs is no different. One of the facets on the gem of GMOs is the question of putting mandatory labels on genetically modified foods. Groups that are in favor of mandatory labeling such as Greenpeace International, for example, argue that consumers, regardless of awareness towards food have the right to know what is inside their food. Greenpeace International, “…emphasize[s] unknown health risks, such as allergic reactions, and environmental risks, such as pest resistance and loss of biodiversity, and denounce the absence of long-term studies investigating those risks” (Dannenberg 374). Before I go any further, I need to enlist the help of a deontologist.

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.

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.

Retrieved from http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-risks/articles-about-risks-by-jeffrey-smith/health-risk-articles-landing Wohlers, A. E. (2013). Labeling of genetically modified food. Politics & The Life Sciences, 32(1), 73-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.2990/32_1_73

Genetically modified organisms are defined as organisms “ in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination ” (Jensen et al.., 2012). Malaysia Agricultural Research Institute involves in research on genetically modified crops or GM-crops since 2000 with developing virus resistance chili pepper, passion fruits and rice are based on agronomic. In general, a genetically modified crop has three major characteristics which are the advantage, disadvantage and current state of the research in this GM crops. One of the major advantages of the GMO’s could be seen in regards to the GM-crops. When crops or plant are genetically modified by removing undesired gene on inserts desirable genes, the resulting germplasm is anticipated to allow plant breeders to respond more qui... ... middle of paper ... ...ger, J.,E.

Removing malnutrition will break the cycle thus, stimulating progress in disease control, social reform, and economic prosperity. Invented in 1983 and first commercialized in 1995, GM crops are defined as, “foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.”2 This review covers the chemistry behind modifying crops genetically, research on the health issues of GM food, the negative risks, corporation/monopoly danger, and the benefits/plan on the introduction of transgenic crops to Africa. Transgenic foods are created through a new genetic engineering process involving the splicing of mRNA in an organism and replacing part of the genome with an alternate gene pool. The objective of GM food was to create a more nutritional, animal resistant food to be mass produced in a cost effective manner.

Also, the report will identify the parties involved and the differing arguments relating to the issue. 2. What is Genetically Modified Food (GMF) Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. Most existing genetically modified plants have been developed to improve yield, through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides.