Genetically Modified Organisms ( Gmos )

In a recent article found on Facebook, David Gutierrez described how Thierry Vrain, a former Genetically Modified Organism scientist recently changed his mind on how he personally feels about genetically modified organisms. Previous to this article Vrain was for GMOs and was taking on many experiments on GMOs. However now, he says that he rejects a previous statement of his that said “biotechnology companies engineered crops, have no impact on the environment and of course that they are safe to eat” (Gutierrez, 2016). More interesting about this newspaper article, is that Vrain also now claims that GMOs cause damage to bodily organs in the human, such as the kidneys, liver and spleen. (Gutierrez, 2016). I chose this article because I wanted to see what the real science behind GMOs is, since most crops are being engineered by GMOs. I also wanted to examine why after so long Vrain changed his mind on what he thinks of Genetically Modified Organisms.

Baked chips aren't the only ones that have fooled everyone. Seeing kids having goldfish crackers as a snack is not a surprise. Many of us suspect that goldfish are healthy because we see many kids always eating them. But don’t let their cute little fish shape trick you. In 2013, “Pepperidge Farm, the maker of goldfish crackers” was sued for labeling a lie on the boxes of goldfish saying that they were “natural” when in reality they were not. They assumingly thought that people still believed that vegetable oil was still healthy. When in reality, it is the “most inflammatory ingredient out there, full of chemicals, pesticides and rancid oils.” The worst part of all is that goldfish are GMO’s-genetically modified organisms. GMOs are toxic and allergic as well, and on top of that, GMOs were banned from being used in 30 countries and more. Goldfish also contain MSG. “MSG is an excitotoxin that damages your brain cells by means of over stimulation. It is used to enhance flavors in some processed foods and spices. Not only can this MSG damage your brain cells, but it can also lead to “learning disabilities and neurological conditions.”

A concern that is growing is what we are eating and how it is affecting us. A lot of food is processed today, causing concerns about GMOs. GMOs stands for genetically modified organisms; this means a living organism’s genetic material has been artificially changed in a laboratory. GMOs are combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur naturally or even through “traditional crossbreeding” methods. Many people have questions and concerns about GMOs, and more and more people are starting not to like them. GMOs have taken over most of the US and Canada, many consumers are concerned with their safety of what they are putting in their bodies, and many are under the influence that GMOs are harmful because so many other countries have banned them or require labeling. Genetically Modified Organisms are often confused with hybridization and cross breeding. The differences are GMOs are forced together and include things that are not in nature, while the other two involve two related species being put together. GMOs are more controlled, direct, and specific. Genes are identified, isolated, copied, and introduced into other organisms. The biggest difference between breeding and GMOs would be genetic modification allows genes to transfer between species. GMOs are manipulating DNA, which many believe are harming our bodies; however, humans have been exploiting the creation of new biological variations for centuries, creating many combinations that would never

This lab was performed to explore and discover GMOs in food that were given to test. Our group used oats, a GMO positive food, and a test food. Our goal was to find out whether the test food was GMO positive or negative and to record data accordingly. I hypothesized that the test food will be GMO positive. To see if my hypothesis had been correct we performed the process of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), to find the presence of GMO positive or negative DNA in the foods. We first extracted the DNA from the foods, and then added primers to the DNA as well. I then inserted the DNA onto a gel using a micropipette. Using gel electrophoresis and a UV transilluminator we were able to view the staggering results.

Has it ever dawned upon a person why GMO’s products are never labeled as GMO’s? Or why people that try to speak up against GMO products are “breaking the law” and are being sued for showing people the truth that they have the right to know? This is because GMO’s are bad. GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are being created in order to help make these companies do that exact, along with a few other things. GMO’s are plants or animals that have undergone a process wherein scientists alter their genes with DNA from different species of living organisms, bacteria, or viruses to get desired traits such as resistance to disease or tolerance of pesticides. Although genetically modified organisms produce greater yields of what is needed/wanted, it is more harmful than it is helpful for humans and other living organisms. Regardless of what it is doing to the environment, most of the people that grow and experiment with them do not care/understand the depths of the long term negative outcome it will have over the generations, and even now while it is being sold everywhere around the world. GMO’s are bad for people and the environment because they have more harmful impacts on people and the environment than good.

Throughout history, humankind has tried to make things easier for themselves by controlling what is around them. This has always been the case and then humans evolved into an agricultural based society. Breeding different strains of plants became something of a popular topic for scientists in hopes to getting the elite possible plants for food. Although time has passed, these practices have continued and technology has expanded and developed. Now rather than breeding two similar plants or animals, mankind has taken it a step further and can alter the genetic sequence of the DNA in species. This option to be able to alter plants and now particularly crops, has raised many moral and safety concerns.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are highly embedded into our food systems. The use of GMOs is a subject that is often highly debated. GMOs have been viewed as a way to produce food more efficiently, and to aid in the feeding of our ever growing population. However, there are numerous countries that have placed a ban on the use of these products. Comparing production increases in the U.S. to those countries that have banned the use of GMOs will help to give insight into why these products may be a good solution to feeding our ever growing population. At the same time seeing the negative side effects of the history of GMOs may cause you to change your mind on the use of GMOs.

In 1901, a small company named Monsanto made its mark in the chemical industry with the development of saccharine, the popular artificial sweetener. One hundred and thirteen years later, Monsanto is now the world leader in genetically modified organisms (GMOs). With over 1,767 seed and plant patents, they are one of the largest food and agriculture companies in the world (“U.S.”). Monsanto exemplifies the worst type of corporate conglomeration by producing toxic substances, creating questionably safe food products, and monopolizing the farming industry.

For instance, GMO’s are a genetic manipulation of crops and more recently discovered, animals. They are a man made creation that will keep increasing the harmful chemicals or toxins that these engineered foods or crops contain. More and more people should have the

Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are substances which have had their genetic material altered through unnatural processes. Since the advent of the first GMO in 1973, the modification of plants and animals through the introduction of a new trait or the alteration of a gene has significantly increased (Aleksejeva 5). With increasing genetic modifications of plants and animals for food products and the widespread presence of GM foods in the market, consumers are beginning to ask more questions about the health effects of these foods.

For many years Americans have been purchasing and consuming Genetically Modified Foods. Not all Americans have been aware of this, in fact many people do not even know what a GMO is. Author Jeffery Smith wrote, "A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans." Big Biotech companies tell consumers that (GMO) foods are very beneficial. Biotech companies have been promising that they can feed the world by using GMO food. Companies like Monsanto tell Americans that GM foods are full of nutrition. Companies are even genetically modifying vaccines and medications. There are many risks involved with GM foods. GMOs contain toxins and can cause infections in humans and animals. GM foods help destroy beneficial bacteria. GM foods are mutated, and they are creating new allergies in humans. GM foods are causing cancer in humans and in animals. Many people do not know that GMOs even exist. The world needs to be educated about GMOs so that they have a chance to save themselves and their loved ones.

A starving family in Zambia is in dire need of help. They travel to their countries’ capital in search of relief. The capital has plenty of food donations coming in from countries all over the world trying to help the African country in its’ time of need. The most recent food donation came from a fundraiser in America to help feed the hunger-ridden country but, there is something different about this food. The cornmeal inside of the shipment is made from Bt corn; a genetically modified organism (GMO) created for increased pest resistance. The starving Africans do not care if the food is genetically modified or not, they are only trying to feed their malnourished families. However, with heavy European influence on their government, the Zambian president at the time, Levy Mwanawasa, deemed the GM food donation “‘poison’” (Better Dead than GM-fed) and refused to distribute any of the GM donations. Instead of finding the help the so desperately needed, the starving family gets to watch the pile of food rot away in front of them.

With a growing population there is fear that the world won’t have enough food to keep up. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) have been introduced as safe for human consumption to our market since 1996 without sufficient safety testing. Evidence points to no necessity for GMO food (not to mention harmful affects) and therefore it should be banned from the United States just like it has been in multiple other countries. Some things this paper will cover is how GMOs are made, who makes them, what affects they have on the environment, and what a safe alternative is.

Genetically Modified Foods commonly referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods refers to any food product that is derived from a genetically engineered organism (Halford). While this would cater for both plants and animals, ethical issues have hindered the application of genetic engineering to animals, making plants and plant products be the most common GMO around. However, in as much as this application of biotechnology in genetic engineering has showed great potency in solving food insecurity issues the world and more so, in the developing countries, there has been an ongoing debate on whether to embrace the GMO foods or to avoid any GM-coded food product.

Food products in our community are being genetically modified or being grown next to or transported with none genetically modified food. The United States doesn’t require the distributers to put labels on their food product that contain genetically modified organisms. Also the foods originally grown without genetic modification are still being contaminated by GMOs during transportation and production. This is a problem because GMOs have been proven to increase the risk of cancer and can cause other unknown medical problems. As big as this controversy is becoming many people are completely clueless of the topic. They are simply uneducated. Many people do not know the risks involved, what they are in, or how they’re used. It is unethical to