Persuasive Essay On Organic Food

1318 Words3 Pages

In recent discussions of health and wellness, the topic of genetically modified organisms in food has become very prevalent. A genetically modified organism or GMO is any living thing that has had its genes microscopically modified to pick up a trait it would originally lack. Almost every American has heard the term “GMO” however many do not know what they are and what benefits they hold. Thousands of people are beginning to eat “organic” foods free from GMOs because they believe the modifications to the food will cause health complications for those who consume them. On the other hand, the majority of Americans eat some kind of GMO in just about every meal. Research shows they are found in 80% of all processed foods in America today (Scipioni). …show more content…

This is the issue and the misconception about GMO’s and those who oppose them. The fact is that the food itself is still grown the exact same traditional way from a farm, not a lab. The difference is all in the seed of the fruit or vegetable. The seed is spliced with genes from another seed to pick up a beneficial trait. These benefits can allow the crop to produce a greater yield, use less pesticides, emit less greenhouse gasses, and be more nutritious. Despite all of the advantages 57% of Americans believe GMOs are unsafe to eat, however, 88% of scientists around the world believe they are perfectly safe (Peterson). It is of great importance that GMOs continue to be used to feed more people and possibly save …show more content…

In areas of the world where malnutrition is an enormous problem and countless die every day, genetically modified foods can help. For example white rice has been modified to contain more vitamin A and labeled “golden rice” to save the lives of those who have a vitamin A deficiency. 40% of children under five in developing countries have this deficiency and 12 million of them lose their life every year (Potrykus). It is fair to say people from these developing countries in Southeast Asia will not be protesting GMOs anytime

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