The 21st century is an age where scientific advances occur every day. Discoveries in technology and healthcare have radically changed the way people live their everyday lives. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), specifically major crops, are changing the way food is grown and distributed. While GMOs have been around since the 1970’s, they have come to be a hot button topic in more recent years. It is not uncommon to hear about them in the news, read about them in scientific journals, and see them debated and discussed all over the internet. Because there is such an abundance of food in this country (the USA), one can find GMOs almost everywhere, from a cob of corn in the produce aisle to a fast-food quarter pounder. Consequently, if a person is concerned about what food they are putting into their mouth, the topic is GMOs is likely to show up at some point. Growing crops that have been changed on a genetic level to achieve a specific characteristic is now a commonplace practice by many commercial and non-commercial farmers alike. These enhanced species of plants have a variety of advantages over unmodified species. Genetically modified organisms can benefit farmers and consumers because of their increased durability and …show more content…
For example, there is an insect called the European corn borer, which is now prevalent in the U.S. and feeds on more than just corn. It also attacks peppers, potatoes, lima beans, and millet. An article on the University of Minnesota website describes a type of corn has been developed that contains a natural insecticide, called Bt. Bt, the article continues, stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, which is a protein that is released by Bt corn and kills the European corn borer (Witkowski). Having the insecticide naturally residing within the plant reduces the need for insecticide. This built-in pest protection is a definite advantage that GMO crops have over regular species of the same
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.
By genetically modifying traits in plants, biotechnology allows for higher food production in a wider array of places without the use of chemicals or limited resources. The increased crop availability results in economic profit, not only in the United States, but in developed and non-developed nations around the globe. A study to support this claim from Iowa State University shows that without GMO’s, global prices would be nearly 10% higher for soybeans and 6% higher for corn, two largely grown crops throughout the world. The net economic benefit for farmers in 2011 was $19.8 billion (PG Economics, 1996-2011). This results in an average rise in income of $329 per acre. For the entire 16-year period since the introduction of GMO’s, the increase in global
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines genetically modified foods as: “foods [that are] derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism” (WHO, year). GM foods are constructed and distributed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer. For a GM food to be of theoretical benefit to the consumer and society as a whole, it should: increase crop yields due to the introduced resistance to pests and disease, enhance the nutritional
Genetically modified crops are an incredibly important issue that everyone should be aware of since it is something we are exposed to at a daily basis. Genetically modified crops also known as GM crops or Biotech crops has been one of the most heated debates of issues within our society. The debate about the safety, concerns and disadvantages of GM crops have raged since the mid 1990 's but this is due to the lack of knowledge of the general public. Many people are unaware of what the GM crops actually are and what they offer. Genetically modified crops are plants that are used in the agriculture and have been modified to initiate a new trait to plants that does not happen naturally in the species. These plants are modified using genetic engineering techniques to enhance desired traits. GM crops are made when genes of commercial interest are transferred from one organism to another.() There are many methods used for the production of GM crops but the two primary used for plant insertion are gene guns and agrobacterium tumefaciens. There are also three types of modifications which are transgenic, cisgenic, and subgenic plants. However, there are a number of issues that surround this controversial topic such as environmental, health, and economic concerns. Even though there are some worrying facts about GM crops people don 't realize the advantages or the ways it has helped humans as well as animals. There are many reasons why GM crops are proven
The human population is quickly rising. With the rise in the human population, the demand for food is also raising at an unprecedented rate. Our simple mom and pop farms are unable to naturally provide the worlds population the food needed. This may seem like a big issue, but humans came up with an ingenious solution; genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMO’s. Genetically modified food as been able to offset the worlds steadily rising demand for food, and the food problem has been solved, or has it? I will use information from: Wendell Berry’s, Jon Entine and JoAnna Wendel’s, 2000+ reasons Why GMO’s Are Safe to Eat, and Robin Mather’s, The Threats from Genetically Modified Foods, along with references from Food Inc., to explain
In contrast, the counter argument claims that GMOs are unsafe for human consumption. However, GMOs actually improve human health by reducing the amount of pesticides needed for successful crop production. With the use of GMOs in crop production, the amount of pesticide and herbicide application has decreased. To resume, successful crop production is essential to a farmer’s success, which could be why over 18 million farmers throughout the world utilize GMOs. The successful production of crops can be achieved by genetically modifying crops with resistance against insects, weeds, and other threats. Resistance to different stressors has reduced pesticide applications by 8.1 percent. Additionally, crops that are modified to be resistant to specific
Recently, there has been a huge uprise in reports from all over the world of new diseases that have affected much of the population today. Diseases such as obesity, Alzheimer’s, Celiac Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and so much more have been on the rise. Researchers have suspected the culprit of these diseases to be our food. Along with the diseases, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has also been on the rise. The more poor food we eat, the greater the potential harm to our health. One of the poor foods we consume is GMO: the altering of genes in food to produce desirable effects. These effects can range from an improvement in nutritional value, texture, flavor, and a longer shelf life. These
GMO foods were designed for various reasons; for instance, to enhance growth, resist parasites, hold longer shelf life, and hold a higher nutritional value. Controversy of GMOs is still prevalent, as they have been able to consume for over 20 years. Many are concerned because of the
I believe steps should be taken in order to lower the negative impact of the movement of people, food, and manufactured goods. One of the greatest impacts of such movements is the introduction and further spread of diseases. Some of those diseases include malaria, cholera, and AIDS. All of which have a powerful impact on the human body. I believe steps of precaution should be taken because individual's health is an important aspect of globalization. One possible step is the thorough sanitation of foods and goods. As more and more goods accumulate in size and count, it introduces more food-borne diseases that can be transmitted through individuals. Furthermore, the greater the accumulation of goods, the more it is likely of bugs to be moved along. Wanting to prevent the spread of diseases into third world countries is a key
Something that everyone that buys or grows produce should know is that no one wants bugs near their produce. From the smallest of aphids to the largest of locusts chemical pesticides have been commonly used to combat these pests. But GMOs are given a defense against pests that does not harm humans. Some are concerned about this extra defense because it keeps pests away it would likely be harmful to humans. However no reports have come up showing that this form of genetic modification putting humans at harm. This can also be effective while in stores or in homes since washing produce will not change its genetic make
A GMO expert at the University of Arizona, named Yves Carriere, explained in an article that, “Carriere argues that bug-killing crops are beneficial because they reduce the use of insecticides, which can harm people and the environment,” (Potenza 2). With genetically modified crops, farmers no longer have to use harmful chemicals, such as insecticides. He also pointed out that, “Developing crops that can survive dry climates, others say, could help us grow food as climate change makes the planet more prone to droughts,” (Potenza 2). For example, places like California could benefit a lot more if people could grow and sell GMO’s.
What really are GMOs? most people don't know what they are or don't seem to care. But they should. GMOs are in everyday life, especially the United States. GMOs are simple yet complex. GMOs and GMCs stand for genetically modified organisms or crops that have been genetically altered by engineering techniques. The U.S. is one of the biggest factors towards producing GMOs and GMCs.
GMOs are beneficial to society, therefore should be continued to be used. Scientist Charles Arntzen has discovered a method of inserting vaccines into crops. Using his method people in developing countries would have an easier and safer way of being vaccinated. Another reason GMOs should be continued is so farmers can be less reliant on pesticides. Although pesticides can help keep bugs away they can be harmful to animals and people, using the GM crops with anti-pest genes already in them can help eliminate the need for pesticides. However, when GMOs are not tested thoroughly, they can be dangerous. For example, in 1989 a dietary supplement of tryptophan was released, it killed 37 people, permanently disabled 1,500 people, and caused 5,000
Can you even imagine a world without hunger? Sounds great; doesn’t it? Well with GMO’s that thought could possibly become reality. GMO’s are chemically altered plants, animals, foods, and microorganisms. They are safe for human and animal consumption. Many studies have been done over the years and scientists have seen no increase in cancer, obesity, kidney disease, or any new sensitivity towards food. There are many benefits GMO’s can bring to the farm, the store, and the table.
Poison is just a matter of different viewpoints.What's harmful for a particular species might be innocuous for another. Avocado, for example funcunates like poison for cats, but is completely harmless to us humans. Or take grapes for instance, It's usually dangerous for dogs, but a pleasure for humans 5. This concept can be applied to BT crops as well. BT crops produce a protein that is destined to kill and be toxic to insects, whereas its utterly harmless to us . Another occasion when GMO technique saved an important industry was in the 1990s, when the papaya industry in Hawaii was vulnerable to a virus that could potentially wipe the papaya industry of the map. The solution to the dramatic incidence was a genetically modified papaya vaccinated against the detrimental virus. Without it, the papaya industry in Hawaii would've disintegrated 6.