Monsanto Argumentative Essay

For many years, farmers and scientists have been genetically modifying foods to improve them. Science has not been able to prove itself because of an ongoing misunderstanding with the public. People focus on the negative aspects of GMO's, creating a viewpoint that there are no benefits. That should be challenged because GMO's yield many benefits. The science of genetically modified organisms improves many types of foods all around the world. Whether it is making plants drought resistant, less susceptible to disease, tastier, or giving them a longer shelf life. This country spends over fifty million dollars on the genetic modification of foods and the labeling of them as well. Educating this society on the benefits of these processes would

GMO's are used to create a way for farmers to grow enough crops to support the growing population. Genetically modified organisms are created with traits that are beneficial to survive in their environment. Genetically modified crops are the result of a laboratory process. Scientists search the appropriate environment for the species of plant and identify the trait that would be beneficial for the plant to thrive in that environment. Next, the gene is isolated then inserted into the genome. As soon as the trait has been inserted, the last step would be to grow the plant. A company that plays a big part in genetic modification is Monsanto. Monsanto "is a global modern agriculture company. We develop products and tools to help farmers around the world grow crops while using energy, water, and land more efficiently." (Monsanto, 1) Monsanto's goal is to modify seeds to help farmers grow and improve their crops while educating people on the process they use and why they do what they do. Those against GMO's claim that they are not "safe", but companies like Monsanto do not sell modified foods immediately after one trial. Once the desired change is identified and transferred to the plant seed, it is "rigorously tested" to be sure it is safe, not only for human consumption but as well as animals and the environment. In addition to foods being modified by humans, there is a certain "Agro bacterium" that genetically engineer's plants on

If you can transfer the trait of a plant that can hold water for long periods of time, to one that cannot, it allows the plant to withstand longer periods of drought. That makes it easier to grow and maintain crops. In 2015, the fourth year of California's most recent drought, scientists were desperate to find a way for plants to survive and thrive. Genetic modification helped farmers in California to maintain crops that could survive in those conditions. As a result, more foods were available during those times. Thanks to scientists GMO's, farms large and small are able to survive and continue to employ many people. In addition to drought resistance, genetic modifying reduces use of pesticides. Pesticides may be harmful when consumed, but are used on many different foods. Pesticides are used to kill unwanted vegetation and insects. Unwanted vegetation could be anything from small weeds to large harmful plants. Genetically modifying foods can reduce insects and vegetation, resulting in less of a demand for pesticides. The article, "Wellness In A Minute: What are GMO's?" talks about these benefits. "...more nutritious foods, tastier foods, disease- and drought – resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources (water, fertilizer, ect.), decreased use of pesticides, increased supply of food with reduced cost and longer shelf life,