Genetically Modified Organisms Controversy

Genetic modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms that, through the genetic engineering process, have been altered to withstand certain chemicals and increase the nutritional value of the product. In fact, the majority of the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. Genetic modification is becoming increasingly popular on farms throughout the United States and moving into other parts of the world due to their increasing yield capabilities and pest and weed control. However, this has been, and continues to be, an extremely controversial topic of discussion in the world of agriculture and biotechnology, as well as health food critics, because of potential environmental and health risks.

2. Using a strategy called biofortification; scientists are able to genetically alter crops to fortify themselves with key vitamins and minerals versus having to fortify them during the food processing phase. The long term success of biofortification could effectively eliminate nutrient deficiency diseases around the world. (1)

Humanity’s advancements over the course of history have been due to major technological milestones. Of these milestones, arguably the most important has been the advent of agriculture. Agriculture has allowed humans to store food in surplus which frees them from slaving in fields and allows focus on more scholarly and artistic pursuits. As time has progressed, agriculture itself reach important advances, from selective breeding to artificial fertilizer. However, one of the most recent advances in modern times has been met with suspicion and distrust. Genetically modified organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs, have begun to be used in commercial agricultural and their widespread use in food for humans and livestock is on the rise. Many

A genetically modified organism is a plant, animal, or any other organism whose genetic composition has been modified by recombining extracted genes from the DNA of one species and placed into the genes of an unrelated organism. According to many scientists there is little research and investigations done to support the idea that GMO’s are safe to eat but do pose a threat to the crops. Genetically engineered foods are still new and are advancing, this may show different results in health effects of GMO’s in the future. With more research into the topic of GMO’s we will be able to see the different effects that GMO’s have and better understand if we should be consuming them or not.

Notably some of the most significant advantages of GMO’s in the food industry are that it has allowed genetically modified crops to become pest-resistant and have greater yields. Additionally the crops can be altered to withstand virus and herbicide damage (Goldbas, 2014). By genetically modifying a crop the grower can also increase the nutritional value of the plant such as in rice where genetic enhancements increased levels of beta-carotene. GMO’s can also be altered to increase their salt tolerance so they can be grown in sodium rich soils. Genetically modified hormones can also be used to enhance a food product such as growth hormones to increase milk production in cows and hormones to raise the nutritional quality of pigs (Bobe & Procopie, 2015). The genetically modified cassava plant in in tropical Africa is an example of a plant that is being modified to be both pest-resistant and increase nutritional levels of vitamin A, minerals and protein content. The nutrient dense plant can combat iron deficiency anemia, immune system infections and prevent childhood

GMO’s or genetically modified organisms are living organisms such as fruits or vegetables whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated through genetic engineering, this often includes inserting genetic material from another organism of a different species. The use of GMO’s is becoming more and more prevalent in the United States although long-term studies of their effects have yet to be done. The production of GMO’s is dangerous, the modifying traits of a specific plant for consumption for the benefit of production and business is unnatural. Although the use of GMO’s has increased production and lowered costs for some foods, the long-term effects are dangerous to not only the consumer but also the environment. Some have even said that “the environmental and health risks outweigh the benefits” (Beckrich).

GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding. There are currently eight Genetically modified organisms available in grocery stores across America, they are cotton, alfalfa, papaya, squash, soybeans, canola, corn and sugar beets. Many believe putting genetically modified organisms in our food system is unsafe when others believe it is saving the world. After this paper you can decide what you think.

With 92% of corn, 94% of soybeans, and 94% of cotton being genetically modified and with upwards of 75% of processed foods containing GMOs according to the Center of Food Safety, GMOs are clearly a very important topic. According to Whole Foods, GMOs or genetically modified organisms are organisms whose DNA has been altered. The reason for the creation of GMOs was for the purpose of increasing plant productivity by engineering them to resist certain diseases, produce their own pesticides, etc. and is mostly prevalent in North America (“GMO”). According to the Genome News Network, in 1973, Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen were the first to accomplish the direct manipulation of genes using genetic modification (“Genetics”). Because of GMOs are such a new technology, there has been some debate over the safety of GMOs. Genetically Modified Organisms have been considered to be controversial; however, they have had an overall positive impact on the world.

Since their first moment on shelves in 1994, the safety of GMOs has been a controversial topic. GMOs or genetically modified organisms are ‘advanced’ organisms created by scientists taking helpful fragments of other species DNA and inserting into the DNA stream of another organism. GMOs have created tomatoes that don't freeze in the winter, and apple that cannot become brown, but at what cost? Citizens have voiced their concerns regarding modifying natural plants and after research overall, it became clear that GMOs are harmful to other organisms. GMOs have been linked to bacterial infections, and very severe consequences like chronic conditions and birth defects, which most likely coincides with the rapidly increasing amount of dangerous

Within twenty years, the world’s population will need fifty percent more food that it can produce today. To address the growing demand for food sources, farmers across the world are choosing to grow GMOs on their land. The production of GMOs is an example of biotechnology, a study of cellular processes to develop technologies that improve human life and world health. GMOs and biotechnology can help meet the growing demand for food. Though consumers often worry about the production and consumption of GMOs, they are safe for all organisms including consumers and the environment.

There is no doubt that GMO’s have helped societies where cultivating food is hard and have financially boost the economy of some developing countries, yet GMOs are not good. The big question still hasn’t been answered, and that is, are GMOs safe?. No one knows for sure. People claim that modification of the genome of the plant or even animal by GM technology may pose unknown and unacceptable risks to the human consumer. Many consumers have

Secondly, transgenic food has successfully lowered food prices and ensured food safety, which helps increase production and food supply while reducing the farm labor and pesticide applications, agricultural inputs and production costs (Weasel LH, 2009). In the future, GM crops have great potential in solving the food crisis. For instance, by applying transgenic technology to the human staple foods of rice and wheat, people can increase food production and improve nutritional quality, which will provide mankind with higher-quality food. Furthermore, GM foods have also proved effective in alleviating poverty and hunger. The world’s poorest 50% of the population are small and resource-poor farmers, while 20% living in rural areas without their own land actually depend on agriculture. Therefore, the increase in small-scale and resource-poor farmers’ income will directly assist 70% of the world’s poorest people (Curieux-Belfond O, 2009). So far, genetically modified cotton in

Genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMOs, have been around since the early 1990’s. Genetically modified crops are engineered to be drought, bug, and pest tolerant. Genetically modified (GM) crops are also made to increase yields and to have many other positive attributes for the farmer. (“Introduction”). GM crops and foods have not been proven to be harmful to people 's health in any way. GMOs, which aren’t harmful to people’s health, are beneficial to the environment and society because they can increase food production and keep the cost of produce affordable.

Several arguments have been brought to attention when encouraging the banding of genetically modified foods. A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered to create a specific set of traits including size, shelf life and color vibrancy. While this bio-technology is still in a relatively early stage of development, there are already concerns regarding the potential dangers it poses (Dill, 2010). Genetically modified foods are foods organisms that are produced and have had drastic changes in their DNA. The argument that is most advanced and relevant at a period of concerns is about environmental pollution and global warming. The production of GMOS foods is contributing to the destroying of our environment. Research has been shown and proven that GMO foods have several effects that are being harmful to our environment and to human beings. GMO foods should be banned because of their unknown side effects on human health and because they are hazardous to the environment.

First, what is a GMO? A GMO is the physical adding or altering of the genetic material of an organism, plant, or animal (Bushak, 2015). The modification of the DNA’s structure has an intended result of adding beneficial traits or control over the structure. Using scientific methods which include reproductive cloning and recombinant DNA technology, starts the controversy centered around consuming products that have been modified, which could potentially impact health (GMO,2017). However, a broad census among scientists reports that GMO’s do not produce any more of a risk than conventional foods. Therefore, the focus needs to be on how GMO’s impact long-term sustainable advantages for a growing world population, while establishing safety measures to check and balance for potential risks.