Genetically Modified Organisms and Human Life
explanatory Essay
637 words
Over 80% of the food we eat has some variation of genetic modification Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) a term that has been growing in popularity and with popularity comes controversy. the practice of Genetic modification is generally practiced in the food industry but aspects of genetic modification are found tested in animals. Food over the years has changed due to the technique of genetic modification where genes from other organisms are implanted within a given organism. The use of genetic modification in our food has stirred controversy over the topic rightly so with anything that grows in popularity. What are the effects of Genetically modifying food. With the widespread use of GMOs it strikes up concerns but we must analyze what GMOS are and the facts.
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. This developing technology joins DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.
(What were they developed to be) Foods with genetic modification were developed to be “superfoods”
(lasting longer than traditional foods and resistant to pests keeping the food healthier longer.)
(Lowers the price of crops.)
(increased the availability for seeds to farmers in developing countries.)
(paragraph bringing transition)
Despite their large scale commercial success in the food industry, GMO crops are using more herbicides and insecticides than normal plants. This increase is not healthy, the GMO crops are increasing their pesticide use by 183 million kgs, or about 7% increase. This is due to the fact that the crop i...
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...rharvesting due to its high yield in profits. this does not encourage proper practice of crop rotation where the soil can retain its nutrients by changing the plants out during the various seasons. (elaborate and expand) (conclusion)
Outcome(the effects of using these methods)
GMOs are unhealthy for any lifestyle and completely alter the way food has been intended to grow. The issues with genetic modification are most likely unable to be worked out and the result will be either our bodies will no longer be able to eat these foods or the
Works Cited
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education http://www.naturalnews.com/GMOs.html http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gmos/?q=sciops/instruments/gmos http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24 http://www.nature.com/scitable/spotlight/gmos-6978241
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/
In this essay, the author
- Explains that over 80% of the food we eat has some variation of genetic modification genetically modified organisms (gmos).
- Explains that genetically modified organisms are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. this developing technology joins dna from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes.
- Explains that food with genetic modification was developed to be "superfoods" (lasting longer than traditional foods and resistant to pests keeping the food healthier longer).
- Explains that cancer is one of the most widespread diseases noticed by a student led study in stanford university.
- Explains that gluten in wheat causes severe stomach ache due to allergic reactions within the stomach. wheat is completely different from the wheat of years past.
- Explains that antibiotics are a drug used to stop bacterial infections but an overuse of these drugs can result in them not working when needed. gmo crops have their own natural resistance to pests and herbicides that would otherwise kill them.
- Opines that gmos encourage overharvesting due to its high yield in profits. this does not encourage proper crop rotation where the soil can retain its nutrients by changing the plants out during the various seasons.
- Explains that gmos are unhealthy for any lifestyle and completely alter the way food has been intended to grow. the issues with genetic modification are most likely unable to be worked out.
Related
- opinionated
- explanatory
- comparative
- argumentative
- analytical
- Taking a Look at Genetically Modified Organismsopinionated essayNovember 6, 2013: “Voters Reject Labels for Genetically Engineered Food in Washington State Today” - The New York Times. June 4, 2013: “Monsanto Sued Over Genetically Modified Wheat” - USA Today. November 4, 2013: “Washington Voters Weigh The Ethics of Genetically Modified Foods” - The Washington Post.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that voters reject labels for genetically engineered food in washington state today, and monsanto sued over genetically modified wheat in usa today.
- Opines that the debate over genetically modified food has been blurred or exaggerated by both sides. they argue that it is dangerous, harms the environment, increases health risks, and causes infertility and weight gain.
- Explains that gmos are created by inserting dna from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals into a "target species" to create desirable traits.
- Explains that monsanto developed "roundup ready" crops that were able to withstand high levels of herbicides, including glyphosate.
- Explains that bees play an important role in the production of wheat, peaches, almonds, and every other plant. beekeepers reported an average loss of 45.1 percent of hive population.
- Explains that in 2004, monsanto was found guilty of lying and false advertising, but the realization that roundup isn't as earth-friendly as advertised has come too late.
- Explains that genetically modified food has been questioned since its arrival, but new studies revealing harmful effects from their consumption have led to increased concern.
- Compares the results of a norwegian study on the effects of genetically modified food on rats, mice, pigs, and salmon.
- Explains that the us has become the largest grower of gmo corn in the world, but most of it is not feeding people. animals are developing digestive disorders, damaged organs, infertility, weak immune systems, and even chronic depression.
- Explains that 26 countries, including germany, japan and australia, have put bans on gmos, while 60 countries have significant restrictions. monsanto argues that requiring labels for ingredients that don't pose a health issue would undermine both our labeling laws and consumer confidence
- Opines that people have the right to reject being gmo guinea pigs.
1564 wordsRead More - Gmo Pros And Consexplanatory essayThe issue of genetically modified food affects every one regardless of age, race or geographical location. You are what you eat. What a person puts into his or her body essentially impacts their health as a whole. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are found in almost every food except for whole, organic foods labeled as GMO free. Genetically altered foods have benefits and disadvantages. The choice of being an opponent or a proponent to genetically enhanced foods is ultimately up to the consumer. Seed producing companies such as Monsanto have a monopoly over how our food is produced and what is acceptable and safe for human and animal consumption. The lack of labeling of foods that contain GMOs sparks controversy with people who believe they have a right to know exactly what they’re eating and if it is safe for their health. This is an issue that affects any person eating food so it is important for one to know the pros and cons of GMOs. I will highlight the supporting arguments for genetically modified food and in contrast I will describe the risks associated with GMO consumption.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that scientists have made breakthrough discoveries on the genetic level of altering foods for a variety of positive reasons.
- Explains the toxicity and synthesis of toxic agents in gmos and the adverse health risks associated with them.
- Argues that sufficient labeling of all food to cite whether or not the food contains gmos would be fair so the people that care about whats going into their bodies have the ability to know.
- Explains that insufficient testing and experimentation is another negative effect associated with gmos. animals do not react the same way to things as humans do.
- Explains that animal studies indicate serious adverse health risks associated with the consumption of gm food, such as infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging and faulty insulin regulation. labeling needs to be widely accepted and used across north and south america.
- Explains the benefits and disadvantages of genetically modified foods, highlighting the supporting arguments and describing the risks associated with gmo consumption.
- Explains that supporters and critics have varying motivations on using gmo or non-gmo food.
- Explains the adverse health risks associated with gmos such as resistance to antibiotics, oversimplification of complex cells, and insertional mutagenesis.
2101 wordsRead More - Genetically Modified Organismsexplanatory essayMany people today are often amazed by the amount of nutrition and health information required for humans. The constant stream of genetic modification of food can be confusing. Genetically modified (GM) foods are plants and animals that have had their genetic makeup artificially altered by scientists to make them grow faster, taste better, last longer and to provide more nutrients. Scientists make these alternations by transferring genes from one organism into another in order to change the condition or character of the receiving organism. This process is known as biotechnology or genetic engineering (GE), and it has revolutionized the way that agriculture is practiced in many parts of the world. Researchers are now able to use GE technology to create “better” versions of milk, tomatoes, corn, soybeans and other food products that have been consumed by Humans for centuries.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetically modified foods are plants and animals that have had their genetic makeup artificially altered by scientists to make them grow faster, taste better, last longer, and provide more nutrients.
- Explains that supporters of genetically modified (gm) foods argue that they have many far-reaching benefits. gm seeds provide economic help to farmers through increased crop yields and lower expenditure on pests.
- Explains that gm technology could improve the health of hundreds of millions of people around the world. researchers have developed a genetically modified soybean that elevates omega-3 acids in the blood.
- Explains that genetically modified foods have become a big presence in u.s. restaurants, super-markets, kitchens and school lunchrooms since the late 1990s but are still viewed with suspicion by many american consumers.
- Explains that people who support gm foods dismiss complaints that they might not be safe to eat.
- Explains that gm critics worry that transgenic crops could harm wildlife and cause lasting damage to fragile food chains.
- Explains that transgenic foods provide economic benefits to farmers and consumers, since gm seeds generate higher crop yields and farmers bring in more money at harvest time. the technology will produce more crops with less pesticide, less fuel, and less fertilizer.
- Explains that health concerns about genetically modified food have been with us since the mid-1990s, when gm foods first appeared in america's kitchens and grocery stores.
- Explains that supporters of gm foods say that the environment also benefits from transgenic crops. reduced use of farming chemicals also means reduced levels of pesticide residue on nearby plants and trees.
- Opines that gm foods can be manipulated by social, economic, and political forces to generate positive or negative results. the question is not whether we should use it, but to what responsible purpose.
936 wordsRead More - Genetically Modified Organisms and Why They Should Be Bannedexplanatory essayGenetically Modified Organisms and Why They Should Be Banned Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs for short, are defined as plants, animals, or microorganisms that have had their genes altered through genetic engineering using the application of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology. This kind of genetic engineering began in the early 1970s when DNA was isolated from a bacterium, duplicated, and inserted into another bacterium. The resulting DNA, known as rDNA, allows researchers to transfer genetic material from one organism to another. Researchers can now identify the genes that are responsible for a desired trait and reorganize or insert them from the cells of one bacterium, a plant, or animal into the cells of other bacteria, plants, or animals. What this process is trying to achieve is to produce a new species or an improved version of ones that already exist (Brown, 2011).
In this essay, the author
- States dahl, r., "to label or not to label: california prepares to vote on genetically engineered products."
- Explains that mazza, soave, morlacchini, and piva (2009) assessed the transfer of genetically modified dna from feed to animal tissues.
- States smith, m. (2012). gmo reality check: recent news and telling signs that more people are moving.
- Describes genetically modified organisms as plants, animals, or microorganisms that have had their genes altered through recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology.
1690 wordsRead More - Genetically Modified Organisms and its dangercomparative essayWhile many argue that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are beneficial, it has been proven otherwise. The term GMO is an organism where it's genetic material has been modified through genetic engineering or gene splicing. (NON-GMO PROJECT, 2014) GMO ranges from plants, insects, mammals all the way to micro organisms and bacteria. (EFSA, 2014) GMO's can reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides as well as alter components of food such as nutrients, However, even though GMO's has its benefits such as its resistance to pests and herbicides (Whitman, 2000) the disadvantages outweighs the benefits by far. Genetically Modified Organism are a danger to the human health because GMOs harm the environment and pose a national health risk in addition to economic concerns.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that transgenic crops have destroyed the environment as well as the organic farming industry.
- Explains that genetically modified foods: harmful or helpful? is available at www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php.
- Cites gilbert, n. (n.d.). case studies: a hard look at gm crops.
- Explains that genetically modified organisms (gmos) are beneficial, but their disadvantages outweigh the benefits. gmo's harm the environment and pose a national health risk.
- Concludes that genetically engineered organisms are a danger to the human health and should be widely recognized and tested to reduce health risks.
- Explains that bt-corn is what it is and how it works. philips, t. (2008, january). genetically modified organisms: transgenic crops and recombinant dna technology.
- Cites feature, w., and norwood, m. (n.d.). genetically modified foods: pros and cons.
768 wordsRead More - The Genetically Modified Foods Controversyexplanatory essayThe past twenty years have seen rise to a new burgeoning scientific field: genetically modified foods. During the plant breeding process, geneticists interfere with the reproduction and modify the genes of the new seedling by introducing a fragment of DNA from another organism that possesses the desired trait. With genetic modification, scientists can increase the pest, herbicide, cold, and drought tolerance so that the crop can survive in harsher climates. In some cases, the nutritional value can even be increased (Ulrich 9). Despite the obvious benefits of more nutritious foods and crops that are hardier and more resistant to harsher climates, there are some concerns surrounding GM foods. Each new alteration can cause an unforeseen allergic reaction, negate the effects of antibiotics, or potentially cause some adverse effects to the environment (Falkner 101). Every newly developed GM food must be tested on a case by case basis as there is no universal method that determines the safety of all modified components. As a result, long term effects of ingesting food with altered material are unknown.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that genetically modified foods can increase pest, herbicide, cold, and drought tolerance. however, there are some concerns regarding gm foods.
- Explains that in the united states, gm foods are prevalent, with 89% of soybeans and 61% of corn being transgenic. europe is suspicious and hostile towards crop alterations.
- Explains that in the u.s., gm foods have received little public opposition due to the fact that food manufacturers are not required to label their products as containing genetically modified ingredients.
- Explains that the european populace has a different response to gm foods. the precautionary principle is based on the idea that even though there is no evidence of negative effects, that does not mean that no risk exists.
- Explains that the u.s. has a more "hands off" policy and places more trust and faith in corporations and biotech companies involved in the production of genetically modified foods.
- Explains that the conflict between the u.s. and the e.u. has permeated into other regions of the world, specifically developing nations.
- Analyzes how the gm food controversy is an example of how two very kindred cultures can be so split over one issue, enough to cause hostility.
- Cites haroon ashraf and c. d. viljoen. gm biotechnology: friend and foe?
- States falkner, robert, herrick, clare b., and sheldon, ian. the global biotech food fight: why the united states got it so wrong.
1350 wordsRead More - The Danger of Genetically Modified Organismsargumentative essayHow well do we know the food we are eating? Ever wondered whether these foods are safe? In the recent years, people have become more aware of how genetically modified foods have substituted our diets with altered foods -- to which little we know about the long term effects on humans. These food being fed to us is called Genetic Modified Organism or GMOs. Just in 2012, prop 37 was proposed in California, which would have required labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food, with some exceptions. Although this prop did not pass, it did however raise the awareness. When one thinks about GMOs, it does not seem like a hot issue, but it still deserves some attention because it has to do with people’s health and people deserve to know what they are eating. Consequently, the Government should regulate GMOs by requiring labeling of such foods.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the government should regulate gmos by requiring labeling of such foods.
- Explains that farmers have manipulated plants and animals to obtain more desirable results. the big difference with gmos is the form the cross happens.
- Explains that gmos are when the dna of one organism is extracted and added to another plant or organism’s dna.
- Explains that the biotechnology industry has done well to keep gmos unregulated by the idea that "if a new food is substantially equivalent in composition and nutritional characteristics to an existing food, it can be regarded as safe as the conventional food."
- Describes the discovery of enormous tumors in rats fed with gm corn. ninety-four percent of them take effect on the mammary gland, which would equate to breast cancer.
- Analyzes how the graph (y-axis being the number of tumors and x-axes the days being studied) on the left illustrates that the rats with normal diet suffered far less cancers than rats with gmo diet
- Explains that morgellons disease is a mysterious condition that gives rise to fiber-like growths on the skin. recent research suggests that the fibers are biological with floral roots, and could be from cross contamination of dna
- Explains that most ge crops are altered to produce their own pesticide in the form of bacillus thuringiensis (bt).
- Quotes joe satran's article, "genetically engineered food labeling taken on by congress in right-to-know act," which is a better proposal than prop. 37 because it is more straight forward and does not allow for exceptions.
- Concludes that gmos are not safe for consumption and should be regulated by the government by requiring products to be labeled if they are or not present.
- States that the food and drug administration has issued a statement of policy regarding food derived from new plant varieties.
1114 wordsRead More - Gmo Pros And Consexplanatory essayGMOs or “genetically modified organisms” are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding. Most GMO crops today have been developed to resist certain insect pests. There are GMO plants being developed today to produce specific vitamins, resist plant viruses and even produce products for medical uses GMO is made by taking bits of DNA from different kinds of organisms and attempt to splice them together to get a new, better product. For example, tomatoes that are resistant to frost, canola, soybeans and wheat that is resistant to herbicides.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gmos are plants or animals that have been genetically modified with dna from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals.
- Opines that gmos can be a risk to human health and safety, since they aren't labeled with the source of foreign genes, and pesticide-producing crops contaminate nearby streams.
- Explains why they are against the use of gmos and how they affect human health. genetically modified plants can lower nutritional quality by making nutrients unavailable or indigestible for humans.
- Explains that gmo foods can increase toxicity and decrease the nutritional value of a plant, and it can worsen the diseases we have.
645 wordsRead More - Genetically Modified Organisms and Foodanalytical essayThe term GMO or Genetically Modified Organism refers to an individual form of life in which the genome is changed or modified through genetic engineering. In other words, the DNA from an organism is modified in a laboratory and then inserted into another organism’s genome for the purpose of producing positive traits that would be useful, creating a new organism. This science of genetic manipulation has been utilized for many different purposes. One important area in which it is controversial is agriculture. Specific issues regarding this technology involve human and environmental safety as well as ethical and conservation concerns.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the term gmo or genetically modified organism refers to an individual form of life in which the genome is changed or modified through genetic engineering.
- Explains that monsanto's roundup ready corn is genetically engineered through soil bacterial and e.coli bacteria.
- Cites main, e. (2011, march 28). concerned consumers nationwide demand gmo labeling.
- Argues that there are serious consequences regarding genetically modified foods due to the lack of labeling.
- Cites brown, k., fernandez-cornejo, j. and emami, g. (2011, may 25).
950 wordsRead More - Genetically Modified Organisms (Move Over God)analytical essayGMO foods have been around since the 80's but because of public health many people see GMO's as a problem. There have been studies that show GMO plants can destroy certain ecosystem, and because of this many people are demanding the right to know many people want GMO foods to be labeled, but because of the costs and laws many many people want to avoid labeling while others want to find a solution. GMO foods have many beneficial advantages that make life easier, but because of many studies shown, they may actually cause more harm.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gmo foods have been around since the 80's but because of public health many people see them as a problem.
- Explains that gmo foods can be modified to have greater nutritional value than the organism would have by eating natural foods.
- Explains that gmo crops can survive more weather effects than regular non-gm crops, and they have been known to destroy earth soil and kill beneficial insects.
- Explains that some laws allow companies not to label their foods causing an uproar of people stating they should have the right to know what they are eating.
- Analyzes ed yong's article, "the effect of gm crops on local insect life" in ncbi.
1026 wordsRead More