The Real GM Foos Scandal

972 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Benefits of genetically modified crops

1. Compare and contrast the production of conventionally bred and GMO plants. A brief summary of the ways that these plants are produced and what are the limits of each technology. Both Genetically Modified and conventional plant breeding have been used for many years by farmers. Though both methods of breeding conclude with the same outcome both work differently with changing the genes of the plant to produce offspring that have the desired traits. Conventionally bred plants involve cross pollinating, using desirable characteristics of different parent plants and backcrossing with a hybrid and a parent plant to produce an offspring with genetically similar traits to that of the parent plant. Advantages to backcrossing would depend highly upon the parent plant being the elite genotype; this would create success at the end of the program with the offspring having traits to that of the parent plant. However disadvantages can occur from bringing in unwanted traits from the genome of the recurrent parent plants. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is produced by altering or changing their genetic makeup using one of the three methods. A transgenic and cisgenic method is where foreign or related gene is inserted from other species and this enables the GMO to express the trait coded by the new gene, as shown in the diagrams below. Another method involves the deactivation of a certain gene in order to prevent an expression of specific trait; example can be the deactivation of the ripening gene within fruits and vegetables to enable its freshness. The last method used involves altering the existing gene, which is taking place to make the organism express at a higher level or in a different way. In addition, major limitations ... ... middle of paper ... ...different proteins and genes within the GMO which can trigger allergic reactions, and with the intrinsic allergens found in GM soybeans it can produce risks to sensitive people. Works Cited http://www.europabio.org/what-difference-between-genetic-modification-and-conventional-breeding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_crops http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-5.pdf http://www.livescience.com/38084-gmo-pros-cons.html http://www.blueribbonfoods.com/my_health_info/GMOs_-_pros_and_cons.pdf https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/38/default.asp http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/focus/2003/gmo8.htm http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/99855.aspx http://www.biofortified.org/2008/05/but-how-safe-is-it-on-transgenics-cisgenics-and-mutants/ http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/BioInfo/SD.BI.HP.html

Show More
Related

  • Genetically Modified Organisms Are Bad

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stop and think about your food before letting it enter your body. Is it safe? Is it good for me? Well, if you find yourself stuck in one of those situations where you can’t decide whether GM foods are good for you or bad, you’ve come to the right place. GM crops can be dangerous for you because the allergies it can give you. These GM crops are organisms that have been inserted with genes to make them look better for you, but remember, you can’t judge a book by its cover. These “delicious” looking crops can look like the best crops you ever laid eyes on, but on the inside it can cause you to get allergies that can cause you to rethink, is this really good for me? Research shows in the article, “GMOs and Genetically Modified Foods Risks and Dangers of GMOs”, that, “This can create an overproduction of allergens, toxins, carcinogens, or antinutrients.” This disseminates with clarity that GM crops can create many different allergens a...

    Read More

  • Pine Trees of Pennsylvania

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ough genetic variability is generally a good quality, sometimes plant characteristics that are considered favorable by commercial propagators can be lost through genetic mutation during sexual reproduction of seed propagation. Also, sexual propagation through seeds is not always feasible for commercial propagators because of the length of time from germination until you have a fully developed plant (Horticulture, 2014).

    Read More

  • Controversies Surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Monsanto

    1091 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jacqueline Pongracic, wrote “ I’ve been treating patients in the field of allergy immunology for fifteen years and in recent years I’ve really seen the rates of food allergy skyrocketed(Sheehann). Estimates show that twelve million Americans have serious food allergies as evidenced by abnormal blood immunoglobulin levels. In 1996, Brazilian nut genes were placed into soybeans in order to provide additional protein called methionine. However, some individuals are so allergic to the nut, they can actually go into anaphylactic shock. Following several incidences the product was removed from the market before any actual fatalities occurred(Lacey). A study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately fifty percent between 1997 and 2011("Facts and Statistics - Food Allergy Research & Education"). However, FDA officials who are entrusted to protect the health of the general public have gone against the advice of their own scientist to test for allergies and have declared genetically modified foods are essentially equivalent to regular foods. Many research studies have positively confirmed this kind of overall risk for genetically modified foods. Two research studies showed that farm workers who were exposed to genetically modified Bt corn sprays exhibited extensive allergic reactions. Another study that lasted over a decade showed that genetically modified peas caused allergic lung damage in mice, the

    Read More

  • Socialist Opposition to Genetic Engineering

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    A debate is ragging over the advancements being made in genetic engineering. Scientist discovered that genes are the map of every aspect of a living organism, this has furthermore led to the prospect of altering this coding. By modifying one’s genes parents will one day be able to pick the color of their unborn child’s eyes and farmers will have the ability to develop plants that will produce bigger and healthier harvest. With the growing anticipation that some feel towards genetically modified crops others question it effects on the surrounding environments. Often pesticides are more heavily relied on for genetically modified crops and some cases have found pollination decreased in areas dominated by GM plants. Since there are so many aspects of genetic modification that have yet to be explored, much more research is required before distributing GM seeds internationally, but from the information already available the sides have begun to divide.

    Read More

  • The Controversy Over Genetically Modified Foods

    2269 Words  | 5 Pages

    GM food has generated polemic debate amongst: governmental regulators, biotechnology companies, scientists, economic activists, environmentalists and consumers. The main areas of controversy correlated to GM food are the neutrality of scientific examination and publication, the results of GM crops on the environment and health and the role of the crops in feeding the world population.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Organisms and How They Have Changed Food in America

    1669 Words  | 4 Pages

    A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals. Most of the combinations which are used could not possibly occur in nature on its own. The intention of the process is to create a new beneficial trait such as creating its own pesticide or make it immune to herbicides. This would allow the crop such as Bt co...

    Read More

  • The Genetically Modified Foods Controversy

    1350 Words  | 3 Pages

    Deal, Walter F., and Stephen L. Baird. “Genetically Modified Foods: A Growing Need.” Technology Teacher 62.7 (2003): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.

    Read More

  • GMO Argumentative Essay

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term GM foods or GMO (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques (Whitman, 2000). These plants have been modified in the laboratory to offer desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Also, genetic engineering techniques have been applied to create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and accurately. For example, this is done by the geneticist isolating the gene responsible for drought tolerance and inserts it into another plant. The new genetically-modified plant will now have gained drought tolerance as well.

    Read More

  • Genetically Modified Organisms are Safe

    1945 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this day and age, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have become a topic of large interest in the media. GMOs are defined as an organism whose genetic structure has been altered by incorporating a gene that will express a desirable trait (Dresbach et al. al. 2013). Often times, these traits that are selected are either beneficial to the consumer or producer. Currently, GMOs are being created at a higher rate than ever before and are being used in the foods that we eat.

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ence of GM crops is that genetic modifications can develop proteins in plants which a consumer could be allergic to. For example, one of the most common allergies is with the peanut. What would happen if peanut proteins interlace into tomato seeds? Then people with peanut allergies would not be able to eat genetically modified tomatoes. There are many reasons to stop the production of GM food. It can produce serious long-term nature accidents, but there is no way to know much about it until is too late (“GM Food” 2).

    Read More

  • Business Ethics Case Study: Monsanto Attempts To Balance Stakeholders

    437 Words  | 1 Pages

    Compare the benefits of growing GM seeds for crops with the potential negative consequences of using them.

    Read More

  • Organic versus Conventional Farming

    1455 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops. 2 April 2010. 1 May 2014. Schurig, Casey. Pros and Cons of Conventional Farming?

    Read More

  • Gmo Pros And Cons Essay

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is an organism, such as a plant, animal, or any microorganism who’s had its DNA changed in different ways through genetic engineering that is not natural. It is an organism like every other organism, which produces thousands of proteins, but one or two of them are proteins that were chosen were specifically by humans. It creates unstable combinations of plants, animal, bacterial, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Majority of Americans in the US consume nearly 200 pounds of GMOs each year. 90% of US crops are genetically modified.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Genetic Engineering on Agriculture

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    Genetic engineering increases the agricultural economy, the yields of agricultural produce, and also causes negative effects on the ecosystem. Genetic engineering enhances plant resistance to drought, salinity, disease, pests and herbicides. The aim is to try and enhance the growth, productivity, nutrient value, and chemical composition of the plants. Chemicals are constantly being developed or improved to enhance the competitiveness and adaptability of crops, and to kill the parasites and weeds that plague the agricultural sector. . This however is not always good as the plant and the pests then become resistant to these new chemicals, defeating the purpose of it being used.

    Read More

More about The Real GM Foos Scandal

Open Document