The US without GMO
GMOs, (genetically modified organisms) have been a topic of interest in the social eyes for years. Since they’ve been created, many people have voiced and written about their opinions on GMOs, and whether they are dangerous or not. Created to expand the genetic diversity of crops and animals, many don’t know whether GMOs are good or bad, and neither do researchers. Though there hasn’t been any evidence claiming whether GMOs are good or bad, it has certainly not stopped the public from creating their own opinions. Since no one knows the truth behind GMO, it has opened a window of opportunities for companies including Monsanto to voice their support of GMO, while other companies like the Non-GMO Project voice their
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Agronomists have been working on these problems for years, but the rapid population growth of humans makes overcoming these challenges increasingly urgent. If we can’t feed the world, it will eventually feed on us.” (Newsweek/United Nations) Scientists find a way to add “medicine” to plant genes, which help it withstands pest attacks and drought problems.“Some GMO corn crops can protect harvests in water-limited conditions better than conventionally produced crops. Other GMOs can also promote use of no-till farming, which keeps more moisture in the soil. No-till also enables farmers to make fewer passes through the field using machinery, which means less fuel used and greenhouse gases emitted.”(Monsanto) GMOs are useful for helping with planting crops in any area of the world. Although GMO can be helpful, it also can be reportedly damaging in relation with health. In 1999, a scientist conducted an experiment; feeding some mice GMO foods, and some other mice non-GMO foods. The mice that were fed GMO products showed signs of precancerous cells while the other mice were completely healthy. (Science in the News). After the information was given to the public, the researcher was fired. The public went into a mass of chaos. People stretched the story, others changed it, but nonetheless GMOs had been
Despite the popular unfavorable side of GMOs, little to be known there could be a good side. Many farmers, scientists, and consumers say GMOs are helpful. Crops that are genetically engineered to fight diseases are saving not only the foods we love, but industries that grow them (Food Dialogues). With GMOs less water or pesticides are needed to grow food on less land. Scientists are working on a variety of genetically modifies seeds to create a hypoallergenic
A major upside to GMOs is fighting world hunger. People also need to realize that the world population is increasing rapidly (Baragona).The only way that we will be able to support the growing population is to produce more food while still using the same amount or less resources. Farmers can do this by through the use of GMO’s. GMO’s have certain traits that non-GMO organisms don't have that can make crops produce more food and resources while using less water and
Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s, are organisms that have had genes from a different organism implanted into their own genetic code in order to produce a new result (“Genetically engineered foods”). This practice has elicited polar responses across the globe, for a multitude of reasons. Besides the obvious reason, being the morality of changing an organism's DNA for human benefit, one frequently noted problem is the monopolization of GMO’s by the company Monsanto, whose name is nearly synonymous with GMO’s due to their involvement with these crops. Monsanto has been at the center of many controversies regarding GMO’s, and is even considered to be ranked third to last for reputation among all major American companies (Bennett). Most
Over the past few decades a new controversy has arisen in the scientific community: should Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) be used in modern society. There are generally two sides to this debate: one being in favor of GMO use and the other against it. Pro GMO activists believe that GMOs can help address hunger issues and help reduce use of pesticides/insecticides while Anti-GMO activists state that it is a threat to the agriculture industry, and should be banned. Both sides have several valid points, however GMO’s are even more complicated from initial glance, and may not be as dangerous as some believe.
GMOs are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. The GMO debate has a huge gap just like the climate change’s ambiguous debate. Some people are for the consumption of it and have as arguments that GMOs will feed the future population of the world that is expected to double in the few years to come, or that scientists can build stronger crops that resist to pests, therefore less use of pesticides. Some are against these ideas because they think that GMOs represent a threat to the environment and that they can cause a lot of health problems. The goal of this paper is to look at two articles “The GMO Debate is Over Again” by Mark Lynas and" Seeds of Evil: Monsanto and Genetic Engineering" by Dr. Joseph Mercola, and see where the use rhetorical strategies are effective and where they are not.
One of the great things about GMOs is they’re more economical. They can reduce the cost of certain foods, farmers use less pesticides, and farmers get more out of the land while still conserving it. Genetically modified crops are already resistant to
In December 2014, a Harvard professor wrote an article outlining the many benefits of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and why it is a good idea to use them. This professor is now surrounded by controversy because he failed to note his connection to the largest producer of GM seeds, Monsanto, who not only told him to write the article but also gave him the major points he was to address. Why was this such a huge deal, and why did Monsanto want a pro-GMO article out there so badly? The GMO debate is largely controversial, but largely misunderstood because of the misinformation given by biased writers, such as John Hibma, a nutritionist and author who wrote the article “More Pros Than Cons.” What many people do not realize is that genetic modification is a serious issue and that articles like Hibma’s fail to disclose the truth about the numerous health, crop, and environmental concerns surrounding GMOs.
One of the major reasons for the use of GMOs was stated by Chris Black, a plant science major and owner of Richland Plant Food Company. When Mr. Black was asked the question, “Why do farmers now use GMOs when growing crops”, he said “It really helps the everyday farmer with economics and efficiency. Since the US population is always increasing, GMOs have made a cheaper food source to the American Market.” Mr. Black also stated that “It also helps farmers save thousands of dollars in insecticide and herbicide cost that can become overwhelming, because many of the GMO seeds now have this trait. Plus Genetically Engineered crops are more environmentally friendly than organic crops, because they require less water than organic
“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.” – Ursula K. Le Guin. No matter what good some people believe they are doing, everything seems to come with a consequence, and the question is whether or not the good overpowers the bad. Many experts argue that Genetically Modified foods are actually beneficial to, not only people, but animals, plants, and the world overall. Some experts even state that, not only are they beneficial, but that they also protect the environment and aid food productivity. Most farmers actually recommend GMO’s because they are easier to grow, maintain, and tend to be more profitable; however, countless other experts have come to realize that GMO foods are untested, unsafe, and unhealthy. Studies indicate that
Did you know that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) make up about 70 to 80% of
As GMOs are a fairly new invention in the scope of things and we have no real idea of the long term health damage being caused we need to be vigilant. Many effects from GMOs are just now being realized, bees and other beneficial insects are dying at alarming rates because of exposure to GMO pollen.A study showed a clear link between GMO plants and the use of Round-up which in turn was shown to cause bees kidneys to fail (Amos). Yet in another rats were shown to develop tumors at very high rates and earlier than they would naturally when fed on GMO maize (Séralini).Though the study was retracted the researchers said it was only at the insistence of Monsanto and they stand by their findings (de Vendômois JS).We know that Genetically Modified Organisms are bad for the environment, for many reasons. For instance when organisms are injected with the DNA of another organism it reduces biodiversity, and thus we run the risk of extinction of the original plant organism.Also seeds from GMO crops like Monsanto’s canola mix with weeds which then become herbicide tolerant, and can smother out good crops.
When it comes to the topic of whether Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) are hazardous products for human consumption, some of us will readily agree that GMOs have become an issue since people believe they are a risk to their health. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of are GMOs a risk to our health and if so why are they still out in the market. Whereas some are convinced that GMOs are not a potential risk to our health and they are an improvement to the production of crops, others maintain that GMOs are unsafe and are the cause for several diseases. I agree that GMOs are safe for human consumption because we have been using GMOs for the last twenty years and there is no proof of them being a hazard to humans. Since the day we started using GMOs there has been an improvement on the production of crops and
As many people walk through the grocery store, checking off the grocery list, looking to buy an item, there usually is a product that has a green label that says “GMO Free”. Questions go through his or her mind; Is GMO foods bad? How much better is non-GMO foods compared to GMO foods? Is it worth it? Many think it is not as bad as it sounds, but there is much more to it than just health risks when you consume GMO foods. It makes growing crops much more efficient, therefore benefitting the large corporations who grow and sell crops.
The good news about GMOs is that they reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides (Smith). By reducing the needs for these contaminates, foods become safer to feed to families. The chemicals that are put on the crops that scientists are modifying to be pest and weed resistant are harmful if consumed; that’s why there is a label on all farm fresh foods that say wash before consumption. Scientists are working to reduce the need for these chemicals so that these crops can be more family friendly and safer for the general public to consume. Also, by eliminating most of the chemicals the farmers spray on their crops, it helps to reduce
Much of the public concern surrounding the safety of GMOs stems from the process of actually creating them. This is admittedly not a natural process, which is a surefire way to raise critic’s eyebrows in doubting their safety. However, there is no evidence that supports these myths. The Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops, The National Academy of Science, and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Recourses all agree after extensive testing and observation that there is no additional harm in the consumption of GMO food. The research conducted in animal studies, as well as chemical analysis of the crops, show no indication that GMOs are negatively affecting human health. The next allegation hurled at GMOs is that they may have