Genetically Modified Organisms: Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen

People say you are what you eat, so does that make us a genetically modified organism? For the past few years GMOs have replaced our diet with genetically altered foods which has had an affected human health and native species. Being resistant to pesticide and herbicides, the plant’s DNA is split and combined with other DNA through genetic engineering, which is impossible in nature. Eating these genetically altered and processed foods can lead to increased risks of disease, cancer, and even death. Most of the time, we do not even know that we are eating these harmful toxins because they are infused with our foods. There are many farms in California that are able to grow just about anything due to the weather and fertile soil. Although we live in an area known for growing a diverse variety of food, GMOs are starting to, if they have not already, take over. Not only are these genetically modified foods dangerous to the environment but they also have a huge negative effect on animals and humans.

Genetic engineering allows scientists to change certain parts of the plant’s DNA to create a super food. Due to these changes, the plant is able to survive the harshest of conditions by creating Bt. Bt is a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis which creates Bt toxins. Bt toxins, when eaten, will break down the stomach of an insect and kill it. Although the creator of GMOs knew that these toxins were poisonous to humans, he still gave these foods to huge populations of people in third world countries.

In 1973 Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen created the first genetically modified organism which was then patented by the Exxon oil company. This organism was created to eat oil that was spilled into the ocean. Little did they know after introd...

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...hey were infertile and also had ovarian cancer. The doctors also found that these Bt toxins cause immune problems. They also cause elevated IgE and IgG antibodies which are usually associated with allergies and infections. They also found that these toxins lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, multiple types of cancer, ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Now what should be done with all of this information? GMOs have not been tested on humans as much as they should be and is just one of the many reasons that they should not be consumed. Along with their extensive list of side effects present in animals, soon humans will also be affected in a noticeable way. There have been extensive tests done on animals that have digestive systems exactly like ours and these studies have shown that there are major health risks and problems in our near future.