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The issue of genetically modified foods
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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. 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 which 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. The new chemicals which are produced to kill these strong pests and weeds may be more harmful to other plants and remove nutrients within the soil in turn reducing the yield of agricultural crops. The benefits of these characteristics are seen in Argentina according to Pelletier (2010) as they use glyphosphate resistant soybean which allowed the comeback of this crop, as the so... ... middle of paper ... ...9). Agricultural Biotechnology:Using Genetic Engineering to produce super foods. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://suite101.com/content/agricultural-biotechnology.html ILEIA editorial team (2001,December). Genetic engineering: not the only option [Electronic version]. LEISA Magazine, 17.4. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://www.agricultresnetwork.org/ magazines/global/ge-not-the-only-option/genetic-engineering-not-the-only-option-editorial Pelletier, C. (2010). Future evolution of genetic engineering. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://hfgfoodfuturist.com/2010/12/09/future-evolution-of-genetic-engineering.html Union of Concerned Scientists (2002). Biotechnology and the worlds food supply. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts impacts_genetic_engineering/biotechnology-and-the-world.html
Pamela Ronald, a plant geneticist, presented a Ted Talk “The case for engineering our food”, Ronald points out that engineered genetics for our plants is not harmful, yet better for our environment and health. “Now, genetic modification is not new; virtually everything we eat has been genetically modified in some manner”(Ronald).
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.
An advantage to genetically modified crops is a higher crop yield; this means the crop will produce more crops compared to a crop that isn’t modified. A significant portion of genetically modified crops have being growing in developed countries. In the last couple of years there has been a steady increase in the amount of ...
In 2012, the global are of genetically modified crops continued to increase for the 17th year in a row at a rate of 6% (25 million acres). The area of genetically modified crops, or biotech crops, has increased almost 100-fold since commercialization in 1996, making biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in the history of modern agriculture (“ISAAA”). The biotech boom has changed the way that producers grow their crops, for better or for worse. The explosion of genetically modified crops and foods has stirred a debate whether they are a harmful liability to the environment and to society or they are a beneficial, new technology that can help provide food to the rapidly increasing world population.
Genetic engineering includes altering heredity structures of living organisms and food products to provide the substance with certain traits which may appeal more to one. Other desired characteristics with regards to the Human genome project scientists have had a breakthrough in science. Now scientists are able to create synthetic organs for transplants and prevent disease by manipulating genes. According to Grocery manufacturers of America 70% to 75% of processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients from plants. Curing disease and a longer lifespan are now in the distance. Also, benefits include using a smaller amount of resources to feed a growing nation. Citizens who do not support biogenetics have concerns with ethics, safety, and disease which are why GMO should be limited to non-existent.
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...
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.
Science and technology are rapidly advancing everyday; in some ways for the better, and in some, for worse. One extremely controversial advance is genetic engineering. As this technology has high potential to do great things, I believe the power genetic engineering is growing out of control. Although society wants to see this concept used to fight disease and illness, enhance people 's lives, and make agriculture more sustainable, there needs to be a point where a line is drawn.
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.
The world has seen many changes and advances over the last century, but possibly none that hold as many possibilities as genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is turning up in more and more places, and it is almost certainly here to stay. Just as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible benefits, from helping farmers, to improving foods, to helping the environment, to helping sick people. Genetic engineering may even one day be used to help solve world hunger. However, it also has its dangers and risks, which need to be considered along with its benefits. The fact that not everything is known about genetic engineering, and that large corporations use it to make a profit, is scary to many people. The recent technology of genetically engineering crops, plants, and animals, which involves modifying their genetic structure, has lead to benefits for farmers and everyday people; however, there are also numerous concerns due to the fact that the long term results are unknown, the possibility of dangerous accidents, and the danger of increased chemical usage.
Genetically modified food’s, or GMOs, goal is to feed the world's malnourished and undernourished population. Exploring the positive side to GMOs paints a wondrous picture for our planet’s future, although careful steps must be taken to ensure that destruction of our ecosystems do not occur. When GMOs were first introduced into the consumer market they claimed that they would help eliminate the world’s food crisis by providing plants that produced more and were resistant to elemental impacts like droughts and bacterial contaminants, however, production isn’t the only cause for the world’s food crisis. Which is a cause for concern because the population on the earth is growing and our land and ways of agriculture will not be enough to feed everyone sufficiently. No simple solutions can be found or applied when there are so many lives involved. Those who are hungry and those who are over fed, alike, have to consider the consequences of Genetically Modified Organisms. Food should not be treated like a commodity it is a human necessity on the most basic of levels. When egos, hidden agendas, and personal gains are folded into people's food sources no one wins. As in many things of life, there is no true right way or wrong way to handle either of the arguments and so many factors are involved that a ‘simple’ solution is simply not an option.
According to scientists, genetically engineering crops contributes to their quality. Crops that have been genetically modified to have a particular trait can decrease the amount of herbicides needed for growing that crop. Additionally, genetically modified (GM) crops can help third world countries, where malnutrition is common. For example, to help diminish nutrient deficiencies in developing countries, “plans were underway to develop a golden rice that also has increased iron content”(Whitman 2). In addition, GM crops can be modified to be able to “withstand the environmental challenges of drought, disease, and insect infestation” (Swenson 1). Growing GM crops can also result in fruits and vegetables that stay fresh for a prolonged period of time and taste better.
Lemaux, P.G. (2006). Introduction to genetic modification. Agricultural Biotechnology in California Series, 8178. Retrieved from http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8178.pdf
“In agriculture, designer genes are used in a variety of ways, from creating drought- and insect-resistant seed strains to the modification of traits and behaviors in animals that lead them to be more readily domesticated” (“Designer Genes”). It is used in many plants and animals that are eaten by humans daily. Genetic engineering in plants allows for plants to be more beneficial to humans. In plants genetic engineering makes them last longer on shelves, last through droughts or freezing weather, and make some plants not affected by herbicides (“Genetic Engineering”). The plants commonly used for genetic engineering are the typical farm plants: tomatoes, wheat, soybeans, grapes, and corn. Genetic engineering in agriculture is a good thing because it makes those plants more available for humans to eat. In animals, genetic engineering can be used to make domestication of certain animals easier. Most animals that are genetically engineered for agricultural purposes are fish and typical farm animals such as, pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens (“Designer Genes”). Genetically engineering plants and animals ensures that humans will have food to eat, which can only be a positive thing. If it weren’t for the genetically modified plants and animals, providing food for humans would be made more
Genetic Engineering in Agriculture Introduction Genetic Engineering is the technical manipulation of an object from the natural world in a way in which it would provide a benefit to humans. Genetic engineering is also known as recombinant DNA technology which means changing the genes in a living organism to produce a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) with a new genotype. Various kinds of genetic modification are possible such as inserting a foreign gene from one species into another, forming a transgenic organism; altering an existing gene so that its product is changed; or changing gene expression so that it is translated more often or not at all [1]. Genetic engineering is also sometimes called bioengineering, genetic manipulation, gene technology and biotechnology i.e. the industrial use of biological processes. Why is genetic engineering used in agriculture?