Genetically Modified Foods

1138 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: negative effects of genetically modified organisms

Public cities around the world are becoming more involved with a wide array of new technologies without realizing it. From super computers that calculate the movement of satellites without human involvement, to handheld personal computers. Consumers abide with an egregious array of brand new scientific advances that are accompanied by confusing new terms. The food and drug administration, commonly known as the F.D.A, is focusing much of their time with food biotechnology. The all-encompassing use of biotechnology when applied to agriculture and food production increases the deeply felt environmental, economic and ethical concern. The liberation of genetically engineered organisms into the environment poses apprehensive questions regarding the serious promising risk to human health.

Genetic engineering or genetic modification is a procedure that requires direct human manipulation of organism’s genetic makeup, altering their DNA that would not commonly happen under natural circumstances. Such applications include the implementation of human genes into animals as well as animal genes into other animals and plants. The industry which practices this gene modification is commonly known as biotechnology. In the next few years this industry has plans to release genetically engineered bacteria, viruses as well as transgenic animals into the environment. With the release of engineered organisms, many feel apprehensive and concerned with the potential harm it may cause to human health. Because the modified organisms are living, they are more likely to be unpredictable than chemicals. Jeremy Rifkin suggests, “the long-term cumulative environmental impact of releasing thousands of genetically engineered organisms could be equally destruc...

... middle of paper ...

...

Fry-Revere, Sigrid. "Cloning Animals for Food Is Morally Permissible." Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.

Pollack, Andrew. "F.D.A. hearing focuses on the labeling of genetically engineered salmon." New York Times 22 Sept. 2010: B3 (L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.

Pollack, Andrew. "Rules near for animals' engineering." New York Times 18 Sept. 2008: C15(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

Phillips, Susan C. "Genetically Engineered Foods." CQ Researcher 4.29 (1994): 673-696.

CQ Researcher. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.

Entine, Jon. "Genetically Modified Foods Are Safe." Ethical Corporation (Apr. 2006). Rpt. in Genetically Engineered Foods. Ed. Nancy Harris. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 5 Dec. 2010

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Barbara Kingsolver's A Fist In The Eye Of God

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    A substantial percentage of the work on the ethics of genetically modified food has primarily centralized on its potentially nocuous effects on human health and on the rights to label

    Read More

  • Can Cloning and Christianity Coexist

    3328 Words  | 7 Pages

    McGee, Glenn, (2001). Primer on Ethics and Human Cloning. ActionBioscience.org. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/mcgee.html

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Cloning

    2127 Words  | 5 Pages

    Brannigan, C. Michael. Ethical Issues in Human Cloning. New York: Seven Bridges Press, Chatham House Publishers, 2001.

    Read More

  • The Truth Behind Genetically Modified Organisms

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    The growing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have left many Americans and people all around the world with various questions and concerns as to what they are really putting into their bodies. The issue at hand is one that, although is very dominant in the world today, many are still uneducated on the problem and have not been informed with the facts. GMOs have been placed in the world without much question or second thought and it is time that America hear what should have been told many years ago. Although over ninety percent of the food eaten everyday has been genetically modified in the United States, many today believe the food they eat everyday is perfectly healthy, safe, and beneficiary for them. On the contrary, however, others will argue that the food has become poisoned, unsanitary, and detrimental to the health of themselves and others due to the ongoing issue of genetically engineered foods. As food production grows, and more suspicions rise to the surface, many people are left with the begging question, “Are GMOs really bad for us?” Everyone one is entitled to his or her own opinion and there are many out there who would like to believe one side or another. Regardless of who believes what, after the research is conducted, in hopes of accumulating a better understanding of the issue, it will be known what genetically modified organisms really are, where genetically mutated crops originate from and whether genetically modifying crops are harming or benefiting the world.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Essay

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the past few decades, advances in technology have allowed scientists to actively manipulate the genetic sequence of an organism through a process called 'genetic engineering'. Many believe that this is a technique which we should exploit and take full advantage of as, after all, it may be the key to curing many hereditary diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It may very well be the solution to overcoming evolutionary barriers and allow us to breed new species. However, if you consider the unknown consequences we may have to face as a result of our futile experimenting, you would find that messing with a system as intricate as nature for curiosity's sake is hardly justifiable.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Foods Argumentative Essay

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Ronnie Cummins in “Genetically Engineered Foods Are Hazardous” he talks about a British molecular scientist named Dr. Michael Antoniou that points out how there is “unexpected production of toxic substances” in genetic modification that can be very harmful to us humans. Many people believe that since a couple Doctors have labeled them as toxins, why do we even allow these to be put in the foods that we eat? In an article titled “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” by Robin Mather, he has said that the use of glyphosate, a herbicide, can “significantly increase the severity of various plant diseases” which are very hazardous to the environment. In the same article “The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods” Robin Mather has stated that genetic transfers cannot occur in nature and are not as precise and predictable as people say they are. In another article called “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering” from Issues & Controversies, it has been shown that genetic modification can affect many plants.

    Read More

  • Genetically modied foods

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    Whitman, Debrah “Genetically Modified Foods.” Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? Web. 19 January 2014.

    Read More

  • Self-Analysis Essay of a Writer

    1134 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shaw, Myles. “Animal Cloning—How Unethical Is It?- Draft 1.” UTSA: WRC 1023, 3 Mar 2014. Print.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Foods

    1336 Words  | 3 Pages

    Robert M. Hutchins, known for his contributions to philosophy, said that, “A civilization in which there is not a continuous controversy about important issues is on the way to totalitarianism and death.” While I do not necessarily agree with the former, or the latter, for that matter (no rhyme intended), it is imperative for us, as people, regardless of nationality, to ask questions. On the topic of important issues are genetically modified foods. The specific tangent on genetically modified foods is the question of whether or not genetically modified foods should have mandatory labeling. Instead of being a staunch absolutist and deciding so hastily on the matter of GMOs, the merits and drawbacks of this issue need to be discussed.

    Read More

  • Gmo Persuasive Speech

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    How many of you hear the words “genetically modified food” and immediately think “BAD”? How many of you scorn the idea that genetically modified foods are useful? How many of you have been manipulated by the media to think that all biotechnology is evil? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been genetically spliced to achieve a certain trait. As the demand for a larger food supply is increasing due to population growth, the benefits that GMO foods provide are being hailed as the only solution to the food crisis. However, many people are making inadequately informed decisions, and are pushing them to the back shelf. I will inform you on why genetically modified organisms may be the only way to a stable, safe future for the less fortunate.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Food are Pandora´s Box to Humans and the Environment

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Genetically modified foods are a "Pandora's box" of known and unknown risks to humans and the environment. They have been forced onto the American public by multinational biotech and agribusiness corporations without adequate oversight and regulation by the United States government (Driscoll, SallyMorley, David C).”Genetically Modified Food is food which has been chemically altered by scientists during the production process to give the food more nutrients, better appearance, and a longer shelf-life (Rich, Alex K.Warhol, Tom). The importance of this issue is that these GMO’s can actually have a negative effect in our society in general. It could mutate in a negative way and cause cancer or other diseases. Genetically modified food should be strictly controlled due to its various detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and potentially insect/animal effects.

    Read More

  • Human Cloning

    1801 Words  | 4 Pages

    2) Annas, George J. “Why We Should Ban Human Cloning,” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 339, no. 2 (July 9, 1998), pp. 118-125.

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Human Cloning

    1013 Words  | 3 Pages

    Robinson, Bruce. “Human Cloning: Comments by political groups, religious authorities, and individuals.” 3 August 2001. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 1 October 2001 <http://www.religioustolerance.org/clo_reac.htm>.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Genetic Engineering on Agriculture

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetic engineering is a way in which specific genes for an animal or plant can be extracted, and reproduced to form a new animal or plant. These new organisms will express the required trait for that gene. This practice is a very controversial topic within the scientific world. It is being implemented in various areas such as agriculture, even though there are many alternatives that can be found for genetic engineered crops, such as organic materials and reducing leeching of the soil. The controversy regarding this practice occurs as it is believed to contribute both negative and positive implications and dangers, not only to oneself but the environment as a whole.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Foods Should Be Banned

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    Boyers, Lindsay. "Genetically Modified Foods." SF chronicle [San Francisco] 03 03 2013, Demand Media n. pag. Print.

    Read More

More about Genetically Modified Foods

Open Document