The majority of consumers today are unaware that they are eating genetically engineered (GE) foods on a constant basis without much knowledge as to what GE foods are. (pg 6, 8) While 60-70% of all processed products contains a GE ingredient, and since the majority of crops that grow corn, cotton, potato, and soybeans are growing GE seeds; people are beginning to question the safety and need of such technology. (7) The growing population, the unpredictable climate change, and the increase of pesticide spraying are the two motivating factors for growing GE seeds. There is a necessity in the marketplace for farmers to be creating more sustainable, productive, and environmentally friendly crops. (7)
People tend to relate GE foods to the traditional selective breeding that humans have been doing with plants and animals; however, selective breeding in farming is the process of choosing and growing seeds from which the plant or animal has a desired trait that needs to be pronounced further. (192 Bongyu) The process of “genetically engineering” a plant or animal is done by first forming what is called a Recombinant DNA in a laboratory. Recombinant DNA is the process of creating an artificial DNA sequences by using genetic material from other species and then later inserting that sequence into the DNA of the desired plant or animal; as a result, the modified species inherits a gene that could have come from many different species which would have never entered the DNA of the modified species naturally or through selective breeding. (9) Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) is a bacteria found in soil that is used as an insecticide in plants as it causes the stomachs of insects to rupture. The current consumption of genetically engineered foods ...
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10. http://www.enveurope.com/content/23/1/10
11. http://www.greenpeace.org/israel/Global/israel/image/2012/07/ReproductiveToxicology-%20GMO.pdf
12. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2013/11/29/notorious-seralini-gmo-cancer-rat-study-retracted-ugly-legal-battle-looms/
13. http://www.ijbs.com/v05p0438.htm
14. http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.langara.bc.ca/science/article/pii/S0306919210001302
15. http://www.ijsaf.org/archive/16/1/lotter2.pdf
16. http://www.enveurope.com/content/23/1/10
17. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.langara.bc.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7d06856d-6a92-4f0a-a8ba-624beb6af7e0%40sessionmgr4004&vid=4&hid=4204
18. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7hhP5QasNtsX1AwV2YzNnlrZTA/edit?pli=1
19. http://genok.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Chapter-14.pdf
20. http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/events/Chapter16.pdf
A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals. Most of the combinations which are used could not possibly occur in nature on its own. The intention of the process is to create a new beneficial trait such as creating its own pesticide or make it immune to herbicides. This would allow the crop such as Bt co...
The word GMO stands for Genetically-Modified Organism and can also be referred to as Genetically Engineered foods, Genetically Modified Foods, and Biotech. Genetically engineered foods are created when one desired trait is isolated and introduced to another plant by inserting the certain gene. The process, considered genetic breeding, and is much more precise than the regular breeding. While GMOs have been in food for 20 years, currently, the controversy and genetically engineered farms are larger than ever. 82% of Americans want GMOs labeled, but majority fail to understand them (Swanson). 90% of all US grown corn, canola, soybeans, and sugar beets have DNA bits from the lab (Woolston). The United States is the top GMO growing country with 70 million hectares of land dedicated to these farms. (Lee). These modified crops and plants for human and animals are created mainly for withstand herbicides or to produce an insectide. “No GMO traits are on the market for bigger yields, drought resistance, enhanced nutrition or any other consumer benefit” (Burnham). Overall, GE foods’ main purpose is to save money for large corporations.
If you read the paper or watch the news, you’re undoubtedly aware of the debate raging over genetically modified food. Is it bad or is it good? Between the feuding sides, you might find yourself a little lost and wondering which side is right. Answers to seemingly simple questions have been blurred or exaggerated by both sides. On one side genetically modified food is more sustainable, safe, cheaper, easier to grow and has the potential of creating disease-fighting foods. Although this is positive and good intentioned, there may be unintended consequences that we have been quick to overlook. Those opposing genetically modified food clam that it is dangerous, harms the environment, increases health risks, and causes infertility and weight gain. Even things like the declining bee population may have closer ties to modified food than previously thought. We must look to science for answers. By studying genetically modified organisms (GMOs) we can guide our decision about whether we want to be consuming them.
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis. Just as the market for GM foods has increased, the level of opposition has increased as well, even up to the point of terrorist action against producers, growers, and sellers of genetically modified foods. So the question is posed, will GM foods be the future or the failure of our agricultural system?
The growing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have left many Americans and people all around the world with various questions and concerns as to what they are really putting into their bodies. The issue at hand is one that, although is very dominant in the world today, many are still uneducated on the problem and have not been informed with the facts. GMOs have been placed in the world without much question or second thought and it is time that America hear what should have been told many years ago. Although over ninety percent of the food eaten everyday has been genetically modified in the United States, many today believe the food they eat everyday is perfectly healthy, safe, and beneficiary for them. On the contrary, however, others will argue that the food has become poisoned, unsanitary, and detrimental to the health of themselves and others due to the ongoing issue of genetically engineered foods. As food production grows, and more suspicions rise to the surface, many people are left with the begging question, “Are GMOs really bad for us?” Everyone one is entitled to his or her own opinion and there are many out there who would like to believe one side or another. Regardless of who believes what, after the research is conducted, in hopes of accumulating a better understanding of the issue, it will be known what genetically modified organisms really are, where genetically mutated crops originate from and whether genetically modifying crops are harming or benefiting the world.
In the U.S., GM foods have received little public opposition; this is largely due to the fact that food manufacturers are not required to label their products as containing genetically modified ingredients for fear of confusing consumers. Due to the lack of evidence that genetically altered foods are harmful, the Food and Drug Administration considers GM foods to be “generally regarded as safe” (known as GRAS) and no special labeling is required (Falkner 103). In the U.S., genetically modified crops are monitored by t...
Genetically Engineered foods or GE are hazardous. These new GE products are unpredictable and could be a threat to humans, animals, and the environment. The technology of Genetic Engineering (GE) is the practice of altering or disrupting the genetic blueprints of living organisms plants, trees, fish, animals, humans, and microorganisms. These gene engineers have made it clear, through their business practices and political lobbying, that they intend to use GE to
We see the fruits of years of genetic research all around us. Genetically modified foods are everywhere. Biotech seeds yield a hefty portion of the corn, tomatoes, soybeans and other agricultural products and derivatives consumed by the American population on an annual basis (2000, Sunstein). Over 70% of the items Americans find on their supermarket shelves contain genetically modified content (1999, Wastell). We did not get to this point without endless hours of research and testing by dedicated scientists and researchers. This technology however is not without its opposition, in Europe genetically modified food products are aggressively regulated and labeled (2000, Sunstein). Papers have been written that allegedly show these crops not only damage the ecosystem as in the case of the Monarch butterfly but also are a danger to the animal or human who would ingest them as cited by Dr. Arpad Puzstai (1999, Lean).
Genetically modified crops have many potential advantages regarding the raising of agricultural productivity and reducing the need for pesticides that are known to be bad for the environment. GM (genetically modified) foods are already a large part of the Americans life; however, does the benefit of biotech outweigh the risks? (Cost and Benefits, 2014, pp. 155-170)
Human genetic modification is the process through which medical personnel and scientist alter the genetic makeup or the DNA of a person (Clapper 1). This modification is achieved either through the addition of some genes or removal of others. The addition of genes is achieved through a carrier which can be a virus. The addition can either be to the somatic cells or to the germ cells. In somatic cells, added genes alter the genetic makeup of the body while in germ cells, alteration is to the reproductive cells. Genetic modifications have been widely exercised in plants. However, the exercise is limited in humans due to ethical issues. With genetic modification, the evolution of new beings that are stronger and disease-free can be enhanced. However, one concern surrounding the practice is that it would upset the balance of life. Genetic modification should not be carried out, as it violates the ethics of humans.
Thirty years ago an average person could walk into any grocery store and purchase their desired food product without many fears. They could confidently purchase a stalk of corn or a bag of potato chips knowing that consuming them will not put their health at risk . They could happily purchase fresh fruits and vegetables knowing that they have been grown naturally in an environmentally friendly, chemical free and safe environment. Thirty years later, this is not the case. Today, consumers are kept in the dark and are part of an uncontrolled, unregulated mass human experiment known as genetic engineering . The result of this experiment are genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are a large group of organisms
“Genetically modified foods are a "Pandora's box" of known and unknown risks to humans and the environment. They have been forced onto the American public by multinational biotech and agribusiness corporations without adequate oversight and regulation by the United States government (Driscoll, SallyMorley, David C).”Genetically Modified Food is food which has been chemically altered by scientists during the production process to give the food more nutrients, better appearance, and a longer shelf-life (Rich, Alex K.Warhol, Tom). The importance of this issue is that these GMO’s can actually have a negative effect in our society in general. It could mutate in a negative way and cause cancer or other diseases. Genetically modified food should be strictly controlled due to its various detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and potentially insect/animal effects.
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.
This report explains genetically modified food (GMOs) and discusses the benefits and risks associated with the consumptions of GMOs. Genetically modified foods (GMOs) are foods that have been genetically altered using engineering techniques. The most common technique used today is called recombinant DNA technology; this technology combines different molecules from different plant species to create a plant with a new set of genes, a hybrid plant. Another recombinant DNA technology being used is recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) an artificial growth hormone; this hormone is being fed or injected into cows to improve milk production. (ThefreeDictionary)
Genetically modified foods is one of the most controversial issues around the world. GMOs (genetically modified foods) are defined as organisms that have had their genetic materials altered in a way that does not occur in nature. Doing this is supposed to improve both the quality and shelf life of most agricultural products. GMO’s have spread worldwide concern with both health and environmental effects. Both of these concerns brought up a lot of controversy. People across the world are asking questions on the environmental and health effects that these foods will have on us and the world we live in. There are both advantages and disadvantages that genetically modified foods will have on our country.