Genetically Modified Organisms and US Processed Food Essays

Genetically modified foods are produced from organisms that have gone through a process that introduces specific changes to its DNA using genetic engineering. This process allows companies to choose specify traits a crop will display. On the surface this process seems like a technological breakthrough, and it is, however, the topic of genetically modified foods (GMOs) is very complex. There are many aspects of this process we must consider when deciding if GMOs should continue to be sold. Due to many human health, environmental, and economical concerns the sale of all genetically modified foods should be banned.

What exactly does genetically modifying organisms mean? Society has been doing it for thousands of years. Selective breeding has been practiced to achieve things such as sweet corn, a rosebush, or a desirable dog breed (Genetically Modified Foods). Selective breeding, also called “traditional processing” by farmers, is when the desirable traits of

Genetically modified crops are being developed to produce their own pesticide. This will bring the rapid appearance of resistant insects. Even worse, these pesticide producing plants have killed some beneficial insects and pests that many farmers use in their crops. For example, inserting a gene from a snowdrop, a perennial herb found in Europe and Asia into a potato, made the potato resistant to the green fly, but killed lady bugs that feed on green flies.

Sixty four countries around the world have banned the use of GMOs, otherwise known as Genetically Modified Organisms, within farms and supermarkets. However, the United States, a usually technologically advanced country, has yet to invest much time or effort into this endeavour, one that would make food healthier for people and protect the environment. The US government has taken a step back in this effort for healthier food options, as in the country, companies that use GMOs are not required to label their food as such. Some companies and businesses, however, are working to make a change in the case for GMOs in the US, by advocating minimized GMO usage, menu transparency, or the complete ban of the usage.

Around seventy percent of the United State’s processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients. A GMO is an organism, whose DNA has been altered by adding another organism’s DNA to create a certain trait, such as corn that kills bugs. With genetically modified foods, feeding the hungry will be easier, along with farmers being able to produce more crops. The US should allow the production and selling of more genetically modified organisms.

GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

While the production of GMO foods have increased the FDA refuse to regulate it because in 1993 the FDA declared GMOs as “not inherently dangerous” so they therefore do not need special regulations (). Unlike the United

For example, the use of GMOs have created what is called super weeds , which are weeds that are resistant to chemicals. Furthermore, as the author mentions claims “Superweeds have evolved to withstand the very chemicals designed to kill them and they have now become an epidemic on farmland in many locations across the country” (3). Upon this claim GMOs have created a outbreak of weeds that can not be stopped due to the continued use of GMOs by farmers.In addition, GMOs are killing bees and monarch butterflies due to the use of pesticides on GMO crops. but this can not happen because bees are the key to the pollination and production of agriculture through fertilization. The main reason for so many bees dying is because crops are drowned in chemicals that are unhealthy for animals. In addition farmers are using these harmful pesticides that come from corporation that harm these beneficial insects. As the author claims that “Companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Dow Agrosciences . . . in the herbicides and pesticides and seeds they sell to farmers who grow genetically engineered crops” (4). With this information shows that with the continued use of these pesticides will eventually kill out enormous amounts of bees and that we need bees in order to thrive and prosper. Also, GMOs can affect biodiversity of a any given environment. The author claims that with “Genetic modification it produces genetically modified animals, plants and

With the increased amount of publicity, genetically modified organisms have recently been under harsh scrutiny and criticism. Consumers around the world are concerned whether or not consuming these newly modified organisms have any long term or short term health effects. “An exhaustive new study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, found “no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops,”(Hall). This experiment showed that there are no alarming effects for consumers to worry about when consuming genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops have been consumed for over twenty years now without causing any increase in health problem in the populations that consume them. These products are some of the most tested and safest agriculture products out there today. All of the testing done on genetically modified crops and their safety is monitored by the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). Across the board with so many different agencies committed to reviewing testing of GMOs these products and organisms are undoubtedly safe

In the United States today we consume genetically modified organisms in nearly everything we eat, and some of us are not even aware of it. Even though GMO’s have been around for nearly two decades, only recently they have been getting increasingly more attention. The author of The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods explains that “genetic modification refers to the manipulation of DNA by humans to change the essential makeup of plants”(Mather). However, a large portion of the American population is concerned about whether or not they should be wary of these new advancements in produce, if they should allow their food to be produced the way it has been done for centuries, and if they even have a choice. These are the concerns that are

As stated in the Organic Consumers Association, 80 percent of the food consumed in America is processed, and 75 percent of the processed food contains Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) (Carolanne). GMOs are living organisms that their genetics had been unnaturally modified through scientists and engineers. This is a serious issue which every consumer in America is facing today. The rate of obesity had doubled since 1982, and this is only the visible effects of Genetically Modified (GM) food in the human body. There are more inner problems that a person can encounter by eating GM food. However, it does not end there. GM food can also cause problems for the environment. GM crops are a threat to birds, herbicides, insects, and even to water. GM food can be harmful to the human body and to the environment. Therefore, the U.S. should limit its use, and find some solutions.

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have taken a new role in the world’s food industry. It is not uncommon for the majority of produce being sent out for the public’s consumption to be genetically engineered. The problem is, no one has proof that genetically modified food is safe to eat. In fact, evidence shows that there is a huge possibility that it is not. With neglected and insufficient testing, and the unknown side effects, GM food is likely to do more harm than good.

People in different countries around the world have been debating about whether to use GMOs since the 90’s. Organic companies do not want GMOs to exist because the companies that make them are their competition. Most of Europe does not approve the use of them due to the fear of health risks, damaging ecosystems, and their mentality that they do not favor big multinational companies. Although they make a valid point, if proper precautions and tests are taken for the GMOs then they should not worry. Many of the most influential health regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, Health Canada, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy

The term - genetically modified organism - sounds like a word out of the most recent science-fiction book; however, genetically modified organisms, or “GMOs,” have been in foods for decades. GMOs carry dangerous potential. Some argue that the federal government keeps GMOs at low levels; so, most people are not aware of them. However, that argument is incredibly flawed. Over 90 percent of all soybeans, 80 percent of all corn, and 70 percent of all processed foods contain GMOs. (Hirshberg par 9, 11) Still, 5 out of 10 Americans do not know of GM foods or are not aware of how spread they are in the current food system. (Branson par 2) Worse yet, pesticide use associated with GMOs has been found in the blood of infants and pregnant women.

The genetically modified organisms (GMO) correspond to plants, animals as well as microorganisms whose DNA has been altered. They are also known as transgenic, genetically manipulated, or engineered organisms. The intentional incorporation or deletion of their genes is intended to introduce or modify some of its characteristics. Although this has been seen as a great advantage by many scientists and supporters of this technology, transgenic organisms suppose a danger that has not been conceived at all and that may affect the world in an unrepairable and decontrolled way.