The Concerns and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops The debate about the safety and need for genetically modified crops and foods has raged since the mid '90s. A lot of time and money has been spent by biotechnology companies, scientists, and governments, to convince people that there is really nothing to worry about, and that this technology will provide benefits to all. But while GM crops are now being used widely by farmers in the USA, consumers in the European Union and Japan have reacted strongly against them1. Although this has slowed the rate at which GM crops and foods are being introduced, the biotech industry is continuing to promote them. For numerous generations agriculturalists have used selective breeding to improve characteristics such as size. However Genetic Modification is very different. It is a process whereby genes are translocated from one organism to another; subsequently changing the characteristics of the 'acceptor' organism2. This transfer of genes is a difficult and haphazard procedure, and at present there is no standard way to control the outcome. It is now known that genes are found in groups, and that inserted genes tend to end up in these; so randomly inserting a new gene has the potential to disrupt the native genes and how they operate. In fact, such disruptions are quite common. Inserted genes can sometimes fail to work, or behave in unexpected ways; or affect the functioning of native genes. Scientists have voiced concern that such disruptions could lead to unexpected toxins being produced, or to changes in the levels of nutrients and naturally occurring toxins. There are examples of ... ... middle of paper ... ...entists Speak By Brian John Ford. ISBN: 0954359534 2. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm 3. Science Today - Pg 289 Titled: Reaping the Plant Gene Harvest. By T. Gura 4. New Scientist - 30th October 2002 Titled: "Zambia Bans GM Food Aid." By Andy Coghlan 5. Nutritional Therapy Today 7 (1997) - Pg5 Titled: "Substantial Equivalence - A license to kill?" By Antoniou M. 6. http://foodstandards.gov.uk/science/sciencetopics/gmfoods/gm_reports 7. The Daily Telegraph - 19th February 1999 Titled: "Report raises fear of faster decline in farm wildlife." By Charles Glover 8. http://www.bioline.org.br/request?au00056 9. The Sunday Express - 14th November 1999 By Roger Highfield · A New Introduction to Biology. By Bill Indge, Martin Rowland, Margaret Baker
Genetically modified? That alone should be a cause for alarm, and have you wondering, what exactly is in this that I am eating? Yet every day millions of American’s choose to load up on food filled with GMO’s, and not even know it. First we must understand what GMO’s are. GMO’s are any organism whose genetics has been altered using genetic engineering. We should not be tampering with nature, and should try to grow organically as much as possible. There has not been enough research on GMO’s to know the potential long term effects it can have on us, so this is why GMO’s should be banned.
The controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) lies in the lack of acceptable research on the topic. While numerous studies and experiment have been conducted, unbiased results have yet to be published. On one hand, bioengineers claim their GMOs and GMO products are not harmful and may even be beneficial, while on the other hand, scientists and agriculturists claim they are terrified about the uncertainty surrounding these unnatural products. This paper will explain what GMOs are, then analyze positive and negative claims and determine if they have any validity.
Genetically modified foods or GM foods are foods that have been changed to improve the size of the product and to progress the efficiency of food production. Genetic engineering can be done on both plants and animals and are processed to make the desired characteristics that are required for selling. Genetically modified food has become a controversial topic because people have different viewpoints on which type of food is better for their health. Many protests were created to ban genetically modified foods because of the harm that it caused to the people and the environment. Although people have different opinions towards this topic, there are numerous advantages and disadvantages in producing and consuming genetically modified foods.
The audience that my paper would pertain to would be Scientists. In today’s society many scientists have been researching the positives and negatives of GMO products. These scientists are involved in this topic due to the intense debate and amount of new information that had yet to been discovered. The reasons many scientists are interested in this topic would due to many saying there are health risks that come with eating GMO products. The views that these professionals hold that will help me would be their position or authority on the subject. Also their view on the subject can also help when needing a valid opinion on the subject.
The Controversy Over Genetically Modified Foods The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis.
“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.
The world is a hungry place. It 's hungry for love, hungry for passion, hungry for money and hungry for work. But more than anything, it 's hungry for food. People are starving around the globe while the rest of us live a comfortable existence. Several companies have used their scientific expertise to genetically modify seeds to increase crop yields in an attempt to feed the masses and end world hunger. Can they do it? In the short run, yes they can, but it is important to ask "at what cost?” What are they not telling us? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Although the genetically modified food industry has so far been instrumental in successfully feeding a hungry and growing world population, those same foods are polluting the environment, poisoning our food supply and killing us slowly.
Gmo’s have not yet been studied thoroughly to be considered to be put out on the market because the whole idea is relatively new, its not FDA approved, and its not known whether Gmo’s will have long term effects or not.
around the world will eventually suffer the consequences of this new and porly examined science. What should concern every
While 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.
. If the movement of people, food, and manufactured goods can have such a negative impact on public health, should steps be taken to reduce these flows? What other options are there for lowering the spread of global diseases?
The growth of food industries had advanced since it first developed and continue to expand each day. How and why do people keep up with the growth expansion? In America, the diverse and complex businesses in the food industry tend to supply food to the population, which has an affect on our diets. Americans today do not seem to care enough about their diet and how food is formed which causes the food they consume to be healthy or unhealthy for them because of the intake, calories, and nutrients. Throughout the centuries, food always has an affect on our lives, which is reckoned on the choices people make in order to decide on what to eat. Due to this, the food industries tend benefits from the food choices people often favor rather or not
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)
The most wonderful activity a human being can experience is new flavors and foods. For example, the first time a person tastes a delicious juicy piece of prime rib or a delightful hamburger with cheese and ham, his world is never the same. However, since the beginning of the twentieth century, the production of food has been supplemented by science. This has triggered an angry dispute between the people who support the advances of biotechnology and people who love nature. In order to understand the controversy, we have to know the meaning of genetically modified foods. With new technological advances, scientists can modify seeds from a conventional seed to a high tech seed with shorter maturation times and resistance to dryness, cold and heat. This is possible with the implementation of new genes into the DNA of the conventional seed. Once these "transgenes" are transferred, they can create plants with better characteristics (Harris 164-165). The farmers love it not only because it guarantees a good production, but the cost is also reduced. On the other hand, organizations such as Greenpeace and Friends of Earth have campaigned against GMO (“Riesgos”) because they think that they are negatively affecting the earth (Gerdes 26). Both the advocates and the opponents of genetically modified foods have excellent arguments.
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. Genetic engineering increases the agricultural economy, the yields of agricultural produce, and also causes negative effects on the ecosystem.