“Civilization rests on people’s ability to modify plants to make them more suitable as food, feed and fiber plants and all of these modifications are genetic” (American Association 1). This quote from the article “Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors On Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods” expresses that fact that humans have used the favorable genes of plants since the days of Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics. When plants exhibited a desirable trait, they were bred together so that more of the offspring would have that trait. Genetic Modification is manipulating the genome of the plant, but humans have been doing that for years. Modifying the genes is a more precise way to do this. Genetic Modification improves food and is safe. Genetic modification is a scientific way to enhance crops. The article “Genetically Modified Food” explains this by saying; “A genetically modified (GM) food is a result of recombinant DNA biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic Makeup of an organism to be modified. This can be accomplished by incorporating genes from other organisms of by rearranging genes already present” (Schneider 1). The genes used in the GM plants either comes from other plants of the plant itself. This means nothing going into the plant is from an unnatural source. “Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors On Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods” says, “Modern molecular genetics and the invention of large- scale DNA sequencing methods have fueled rapid advances in our knowledge of how genes work and what they do, permitting the development of new methods that allow the very precise addition of useful traits to crops…” (American Association 1). In traditional breeding there is a guess and check mentality w... ... middle of paper ... ...elected and many years and a great deal of money has been put into research about concerns regarding genetically modified food. This ensures genetically engineered crops are not dangerous for consumption and will not cause an allergic reaction. Genetically engineered food is not dangerous and beneficial for all humans. Works Cited American Association for the Advancement of Science. “Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors.” Aaas.com. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 20 Oct. 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. Schneider, Keith R., and Renee Goodrich Schneider. "Genetically Modified Food." Edis.ifas.ufl.edu. University of Florida IFAS Extension, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Questions & Answers on from Genetically Engineered Plants." Fda.gov. U.S. Department of Human and Health Services, 07 Apr. 2013. Web. 07 Nov. 2013.
...y modified organisms can not only infiltrate our ecosystem and threaten the natural processes but they can also impose health risks for the living in various areas. In closing, it is important to be aware of the benefits and limitations of genetically modified organisms. The real question is do you want them in your life?
Genetically modified organisms are “an organism whose genome has been altered in order to favour the expression of desired physiological traits or the output of desired biological products.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/concise/genetically%20modified%20organism%20(gmo). The United States were first approved for human consumption of genetically modified foods in 1995. The techniques used for producing the genetically developed organisms include cloning recombinant DNA technology. Primary uses of genetically modified organisms are mostly in areas of agriculture and biomedical research. GMOs compromise numerous aids to society, including enlarged crop yields and the development of fresh therapeutic agents which prevent and treat a wide variety of human diseases . However there are some concerns around the use of genetically modified organisms which include the risks stood to human health and the initiation of insecticide resistant superbugs. This essay will provide evidence to support the evidence that the genetic modifications of crops produces better results than selective breeding or mutation.
Are genetically modified foods safe? Genetically modified foods are crop plants created for human or animal consumption using molecular biological techniques. These plants have been modified to enhance certain traits like increased resistance to herbicides or improve nutritional content. This process traditionally has been done through breeding, but is not very accurate. Scientists have been using biotechnology to implant the gene that makes the plants act the way they want them to. Genetically modified foods have advantages and disadvantages on the environment and advantages and disadvantages on society. We have to weigh the positives and negatives to see if genetically modified foods are healthy for us and if we really need them.
Genetic modification is a process of altering the genetic material of an organism by the use of a method that does not occur in nature. Genetic modification involves isolating, removing and manipulating DNA, and then reinserting the DNA into the same organism or into the genetic material of another organism. Which then leads to the creation of a genetically modified organism (GMO). GMOs can be plants, animals or (most commonly) micro-organisms. The use of GMOs in agriculture is rapidly increasing, since it produces a greater yield in crops than the traditional way of farming. Even though the production of GMOs are increasing, that does not necessarily mean it is completely safe for us to consume, companies that produces genetically modified
What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? Genetic engineering has been around for decays, and it involves manipulating the “structure” (DNA) of genetic material, this is done by inserting other genome traits into another organism to get the new beneficial genetic traits (Beckrich 1). The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1983 it was a tobacco plant and had traits to become resistant to antibiotics, in the early 1990’s China became the first to commercialize transgenic crops with a virus resistant tobacco (Bawa and Anilakumar, 1). Additionally, for that point
Genetically Modified crops, or GM crops, refer to plants used in agriculture whose DNA has been purposely altered in order to create a better, more efficient outcome. There are many different GM crops being used today, most commonly plants with built in pesticide or chemical resistance, such as BT corn and roundup ready soy. Though you may not know it, most of what you eat has some form of a genetically modified organism in it. The Food and drug administration, also known as the FDA, has stated that companies in the US are not required to inform the consumer on whether or not a food contains any form of a GMO, or a Genetically Modified Organism. This means that you would not necessarily be informed on whether or not the foods you are buying and eating are GM foods. Of course GM foods have to meet the same requirements as any conventional food would, but just because there is no immediate harm to humans, does not mean that there are no consequences at all. This also could suggest that since it is difficult to predict and prove long term effects of using GM crops, companies are just selling these abnormal crops to farmers and assuming that only good things will result. GM Crops may be created with the intention of helping, but there are many ramifications that are continuing to be ignored. These would include negative effects to human life, unintended harm to animals and the environment, and the fact that we are already losing control of the modified plants that we have created.
It is said that 70% of all the food produced within the United States is actually genetically modified. Some people claim that this has contributed to allergen and pollution increases over the past 10 years (William, and David Schubert). Studies have shown different genetically modified foods have attributed to many different health symptoms, such as intestinal damage, allergic reactions, enlarged pancreas and liver, as well as decreased ...
Genetic modification assign to the manipulation of the DNA by humans to change the fundamental characteristics of plants and animals. Genetic modification process happens by taking genetic material from one species and putting it into another, to allow the production of a new quality in a crop or an animal. Qualities such as: new color, new shape and new size. “In North America and Europe the value and impact of genetically engineered food crops have become subjects of intense debate, provoking reactions from unbridled optimism to fervent political opposition.” (Ackerman ,J.A, 2010) .Some people think about genetic modification that it is an essential tool for solving the starvation problem. On the other hand some people think of genetic modification as it has a huge negative effect in the human health and the environment. Genetically modified foods are everywhere around us, they are used by many people daily, although they cause dangerous health problems. Genetically modified foods affect human beings’ health and have huge negative environmental impacts.
around the world will eventually suffer the consequences of this new and porly examined science. What should concern every
Young, Allison. "GMOs: Friend Or Foe?" Natural Health 42.4 (2012): 46-50. Alt HealthWatch. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
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)
First of all having researched genetically modified foods and the effects that they can have on human health I must say that it has made me realise that I am against genetically modified foods and the idea that they are artificially made rather than naturally grown using traditional methods. It is not necessary to look far beyond what I am about to say to realise just how bad genetically modified foods are. In our society today it is becoming more difficult to know what we are consuming as farmers and scientists continue to alter the way in which foods are made and grown. The main issue is that there is lack of information that clarifies the effects of genetically modified foods and as a society we are unaware of the means and methods used to produce these foods. According to Professor Bevan Mosely who states that “when we use these methods, we don’t know what part of the chromosome that the new gene is being introduced ...
To know genetically modified food ,we need to understand genetic engineering, which is an artificially way to modify an organism's genes, that does not occur under natural conditions. Genetically engineering involves the use of recombinant DNA techniques, but does not include traditional animal and plant breeding or mutagenesis. Any organism’s genes are modified by this technology is considered to be a genetically modified organism.
According to Wikipedia, the definition and process of genetically modified crops is summarised as “Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering, using a process of either Cisgenesis or Transgenesis. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding (plant breeding and animal breeding), and somaclonal variation”.
The 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.