The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods

The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods are organisms that have been altered through the process of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the direct
manipulation of any organism in which scientist change the genetics of a cell modifying an organism's DNA to a desirable trait. (USA Today, last
access July 5, 2017)
Genetically modified foods is the biggest ethical discussion in our society today. Many people would argue that genetically modified foods could be
the perfect solution to our world hunger issue however, genetically modified foods are harmful. Our society today should not use genetically modified
foods because they affect our environment, our health as a whole and our plant transformation process. As stated in GMO power point "new genetically
modified food may be toxic and not all of these horrible substances are known or can be predicted." According to an article by Natural Revolution
"No tests can guarantee that a GMO will not cause allergies. Although the World Health Organization recommends a screening protocol, the GM soy,
corn, and papaya in our food supply fail those test because their GM proteins have properties of known allergens".
Scientist tell the general public that every GM food crop is required to go through laboratory test but fail to state that these test are done on rodents
which have no human like functions or our organ system. GM foods affects human infertility and also affect our immune system. No, our society
should not use genetically modified
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

Society have been altering the genetic properties of organisms for centuries, over all the standard of procreation techniques with the use of
radiation and chemicals to generate random mutations, some of them turn out to be useful, for example Genetic Modified (GM) Foods. What is
Genetically Modified (GM) Foods? GM foods are foods that are derived from organisms that have been genetically engineered. Also they are called
genetically engineered (GE) or transgenic crops that are generally made of a genetic marker. GMO have an extensive history. In reality, they have
been around for thousands of years. So as it may be the conflict over their safety should not be about even if they are safe for humans to consume or
rather how they will impact long term. Even though Genetically Modified Foods (GMF) would increase food costs, these can improve yields for
farmers, provide nutritional benefits, and help to alleviate the increasing global population of third world countries.
GM has a lot of synonymous, for example GMO (genetically modified organism) biotech foods, Pharm–crops,etc.... Perhaps it is because genetically
modified foods come under so many names that people have a difficult time determining what they are and what they are not. People think the GM
food is only food with modifications and that does not provide any benefits for us and the environment. Well, do we really know why we modified
our food? As we see in the article "Genetically Modified Food" "Some crops have been

Pig Heart Kept Alive in Primate for 965 days! 22 people every day die waiting for an organ transplant, the effective and controlled use of genetic
modification can help rectify this issue along with many others in the world, such as helping reduce world hunger and remedy birth defects before a
baby is even born. There are several pros and cons to GM (genetic modification) although the general consensus is that these augmentations of current
organisms are beneficial for many different people in creating a better world. One of the most prominent and important advancements in genetic
modifications affects animals, pig's organs can be genetically engineered for use in human organ transplants, to provide a nearly boundless supply of
organ transplants.Genetic...show more content...
GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) have also been created to be resistant to insects allowing them to fend off insects and their harmful
consumption of the crops. Other potential uses for GM is to eradicate and prevent birth defects, increase animal size for more meat, for consumption,
anti–fungi fruits, altered colours for flowers and using GM for the use of providing organ transplants for humans.On the other hand, in spite of a
multitude of benefits, there has been debate within the scientific community about the potential cons of Genetic Modification. Some are worried about
the possible long–term effects of GM, as there is no long–term research into the topic. One major concern raised is the possible link between
Genetically Modified Organisms and increased rates of allergic reactions, "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food
allergies in children under 18 years of age have increased; from 3.4 percent between 1997 and 1999 to 5.1 percent between 2009 and 2011." (Colbert &
Sullivan, 2016). In spite of these results there is no direct link between GM's and this peak in food allergies as proved by a study done by

Genetically Modified Food Essay
April 2012
Genetically Modified Food:
World Wide Panacea or "Frankenfood" to Fear?
Never before in history has mankind so masterfully commanded its food chain. Thousands of years ago, much of our species made the leap from a
hunter–gatherer level of subsistence to an agricultural society. With agriculture, slowly but surely many modifications were made to plants and
animals used and domesticated by us for the purpose of feeding ourselves. New specialized varieties with specific desirable traits slowly emerged;
with the advent of knowledge of hybridization, this process was greatly expedited. By today, much has changed in the way we shape the foods we put
into our bodies. With modern food science has come the dawn of genetic...show more content...
Researchers at Harvard University, for example, have recently "added a few genes to [E. coli's] solitary circular chromosome, coaxing the organism
to produce lycopene" ("Bacteria into Biotech Factories"). In bacteria, this process allows for useful and vital products like insulin to be produced
much more easily, and at lower costs. Likewise, genetic engineering of plants can be used to increase the concentration of beneficial botanical
compounds used in medicine and health supplements. Although certainly not without risk, GMO technology has been around for almost two decades
now, and has had much fewer negative implications on human beings than, for instance, newly developed cancer treatments. Yet trial and error for
cancer treatment does not get the negative publicity that the genetic modification of plants does, despite the fact that both aim at improving health for
people who are otherwise very sick (be it cancer or starvation).
In the United States, where opposition to "frankenfood" has steadily grown over the past decade, many scientists fear public suspicion regarding
genetically engineered foods (within the country and abroad) could derail further research and development of them. Skeptical public sentiment may
hinder the advancement of such crops that could potentially improve nutrition and overall health in regions–such as famished Sub–Saharan Africa–that
could desperately use it. In addition to solving the

The most wonderful activity a human being can experience is new flavors and foods. For example, the first time a person tastes a delicious juicy
piece of prime rib or a delightful hamburger with cheese and ham, his world is never the same. However, since the beginning of the twentieth century,
the production of food has been supplemented by science. This has triggered an angry dispute between the people who support the advances of
biotechnology and people who love nature. In order to understand the controversy, we have to know the meaning of genetically modified foods. With
new technological advances, scientists can modify seeds from a conventional seed to a high tech seed with shorter maturation times and...show more
content...
The key is in the production. The growth of GM crops is faster than the conventional seeds. For that reason, farmers can produce more and more.
These seeds are resistant to cold and hot weather and have more chances to resist dryness than the others. Also, these crops are herbicide resistant;
that means that farmers can spray with herbicide and defeat the weeds without altering the crop. For that reason, a lot of money is saved by the
reduced use of pesticides, and the cost of production is benefited. Almost 8.25 millions farmers all over the world planted genetically modified seeds
in 2004, compared to 7 million in 2003, said the international Service for the Acquisition of Agri–biotech Applications (ISAAA)("Biotech" 1).
In addition to the strong production, as John B. Alfred, a professor in the department of food science and technology at Ohio State University, said,
"These foods are as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts"(Alfred 1). These GM plants are modified to produce proteins that plants
would not produce by natural means. They grow up with built–in Vitamin A that prevents blindness in people who have Vitamin A deficiency.
Scientists have also created GM potatoes which absorb less oil when fried. That means less fat in the potato, converting popular french fries from junk
food to nutritious and healthy food. Scientists have also developed an apple with a built–in vaccine which prevents childhood pneumonia ("GM Food"
1). These are only

Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods
Are Genetically Modified Foods Harmful? GMOs are genetically modified organisms. This is when an organism's or micro organism's genetic
makeup has been modified in a lab to meet a specific purpose. The organisms can be anything from animals and livestock to our crops and food.
Genetic modification effects many of the foods we eat every single day. Some crops are genetically modified to be insect resistant, grow faster, or
get bigger. There is a lot of debate in the scientific community whether GMOs are safe to consume or not and what the effects might look like if they
did carry certain risks with them. With all the genetically modified crops that are now being grown around the world, we have to start asking whether
or not they are good for us long term, as almost...show more content...
The increased agricultural chemical use contributes to pollution of water supplies and surrounding land. They can also become more resistant to
pesticides and herbicides. Any trait that is given to a genetically modified crop can create a gene flow from the modified crop to a normal crop
which decreases genetic diversity. This means that the health effects of the GMOs can spread across wild crops and potentially harm plants or other
animals since they are considered an invasive species. Gene flow also effects organic companies that are supposed to have non–GMO food. Studies
suggest that up to 25 percent of organic corn is contaminated with genes from genetically modified foods. This cross pollination from genetically
modified corn and regular corn decreases the integrity of any non–gmo company. These contaminated products sometimes seap their way into the dairy
and meat industry through animal feed. While a farmer might choose organic corn feed for his herd, the feed may have already been contaminated
through processing channels in a factory that had genetically modified corn go through them

Positives of being able to genetically modify foods are being able to make your crops produce natural pesticides, being able to treat people with
vaccines through the digestion of produce and giving areas of land that cannot support growth the ability to grow plants. However there are some
downsides to genetically modifying our plants due to creating plant's with an insecticide gene to eliminate the main unwanted bugs this makes way for
other bugs to rise, the same concept arises with weeds. Beneficial bugs like butterflies and bees may not be resistant to the pest–proofing of crops,
eradicating pollinating insects is The Green Revolution Virus Climate change and population growth will make life increasingly unreliable for farmers
across

For thousands of years, humans have transformed their surroundings and neighboring organisms to suit their needs. The transformation first took place
when humans spread seeds onto the earth to grow their own food, and continued when humans reached out to provide food and shelter to other animals
in exchange for labor, companionship and sustenance. When early agriculture proved successful, the best and strongest animals and crops were chosen
for the next generation. This was the dawn of genetic modification, and it is as old as agriculture itself. When speaking about genetically modified or
genetically engineered organisms, an important distinction must be made. This new breed of technology does not use traditional means of gene...show
more content...
These consequences can potentially affect human populations, but the environment can also be affected on a local or regional level. Most public
concern has been focused on human health and safety regarding the use and consumption of these foods, but potential environmental impacts are
important to consider as well. Many varieties of genetically engineered crops are intended to decrease the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers,
but the scope of environmental impacts does not stop at chemical usage. Common concerns about GM crops include the effects of cross–pollination,
so–called "genetic contamination," and the escape of GM crops from cultivation and their interactions with native species. Conversely, the
environmental benefits of GM crops range from reducing dependence on chemical pesticides to the ability to treat polluted soils with bioremediating
plants (Ford, 2004). Many varieties of genetically engineered crops have been designed to decrease the need for chemicals, particularly pesticides.
Herbicide–tolerant varieties are among the most widely used type of genetically–modified crop, which enables farmers to use a single herbicide to
eradicate weeds rather than rely on a cocktail of pesticides and herbicides. Eliminating weeds in this fashion also decreases the need for soil tillage,
which can negatively impact soil ecology. (Ford,

The way governments have regulated GM foods varies. In some countries GM foods are not yet regulated. Countries which have legislation in place
focus primarily on assessment of risks for consumer health. Countries which have provisions for GM foods usually also regulate GMOs in general,
taking into account health and environmental risks, as well as control– and trade–related issues (such as potential testing and labelling regimes). In
view of the dynamics of the debate on GM foods, legislation is likely to continue to

If you want to spark a heated debate at a dinner party, bring up the topic of genetically modified foods. For many people, the concept of genetically
altered, high–tech crop production raises all kinds of environmental, health, safety and ethical questions. Particularly in countries with long agrarian
traditions––and vocal green lobbies––the idea seems against nature. In fact, genetically modified foods are already very much a part of our lives. A
third of the corn and more than half the soybeans and cotton grown in the U.S. last year were the product of biotechnology, according to the
Department of Agriculture. More than 65 million acres of genetically modified crops will be planted in the U.S. this year. The genetic genie is out of
the bottle....show more content...
Like any new product entering the food chain, genetically modified foods must be subjected to rigorous testing. In wealthy countries, the debate about
biotech is tempered by the fact that we have a rich array of foods to choose from––and a supply that far exceeds our needs. In developing countries
desperate to feed fast–growing and underfed populations, the issue is simpler and much more urgent: Do the benefits of biotech outweigh the risks?
The statistics on population growth and hunger are disturbing. Last year the world's population reached 6 billion. And by 2050, the U.N. estimates, it
will probably near 9 billion. Almost all that growth will occur in developing countries. At the same time, the world's available cultivable land per
person is declining. Arable land has declined steadily since 1960 and will decrease by half over the next 50 years, according to the International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri–Biotech Applications

Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods
Our ancestors first cultivated plants some ten thousand years ago. They domesticated animals later and then selectively bred both plants and animals to
meet various requirements for human food. Humans discovered natural biological processes such as fermentation of fruits and grains to make wine
and beer, and yeast for baking bread. Manipulation of foods is not a new story, therefore. The latest agricultural discovery usesgenetic engineering
technology to modify foods.
Farmers and plant breeders have been changing crop plants to improve characteristics such as size, resistance to disease and taste. Plants which grow
well, have a higher yield or taste better are selected and bred from. This is still the most widely used technique for...show more content...
Transgenic crops are grown commercially or in field trials in over 40 countries and on 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres (442,000 kmВІ)
were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide– and insecticide–resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola. Other crops grown
commercially or field–tested are a sweet potato resistant to a US strain of a virus that affects one out of the more than 89 different varieties of sweet
potato grown in Africa, rice with increased iron and vitamins such as golden rice, and a variety of plants able to survive extreme weather.
Between 1996 and 2001, the total surface area of land cultivated with GMOs had increased by a factor of 30, from 17,000 kmВІ (4.2 million acres) to
520,000 kmВІ (128 million acres). The value for 2002 was 145 million acres (587,000 kmВІ) and for 2003 was 167 million acres (676,000 kmВІ).
Soybean crop represented 63% of total surface in 2001, maize 19%, cotton 13% and canola 5%. In 2004, the value was about 200 million acres
(809,000 kmВІ) of which 2/3 were in the United States.
In particular, Bt corn is widely grown, as are soybeans genetically designed to tolerate glyphosate herbicides. Future applications of GMOs include
bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, fish that mature more quickly, fruit and nut trees that yield years
earlier, and plants that produce new plastics with unique properties. The next decade will see exponential

Genetically modified organisms, more commonly referred to as GMO's, are greatly up for debate at this time. A GMO is the result of a laboratory
process in which genes are transferred between organisms in order to obtain generally more desirable traits. ("Genetically Modified Organisms").
The process basically takes naturally unobtainable traits, and makes them obtainable through a highly controlled laboratory setting. Large companies
produce these GMO's with great profit, especially due to the great demand for their product, which allows for the production of a higher yield of
crops. The advancement of technology has resulted in further development of the way genetic modification occurs. ("GMO FAQs") The advantages
and disadvantages of GMO's are greatly disputed in American society today. There are a few major advantages to the growth of genetically modified
organisms: increased profit, larger yield, and decreased food prices. Since farmers spend less money on crop–saving resources, their profit is much
larger when GMO's are used. Farmers also notice a larger crop yield, due to the increased immunity as well as overall size of crops. The last major
advantage, is the reduction of prices at the...show more content...
While the corn in the popcorn is not genetically modified like some other forms of corn is, there are many additional components within the snack
that are. The additional soybean oil and milk are both common GMO's. Soybeans are a vastly popular crop in the US which is commonly modified
to produce higher yields, as well as milk, in which the cows are often fed GMO's, leaving traces within the milk itself. These along with the countless
chemicals that preserve the popcorn and add that 'oh so fake' buttery taste, provide a snack that probably shouldn't be consumed on the daily. ("Why
Microwave Popcorn Is An Absolute Health

I think Genetically Modified Foods have the potential to either change the future of human nutrition and agriculture or completely dismantle it.
Humans, as a race, cannot afford to ignore the advantages and disadvantages of GM Foods any longer. The gap between the rich and the poor is
growing faster and faster. There is just too many things it can do to the world and it is unparalleled by any other technology in existence today. My
take on this topic is from an arbitrator's point of view. I am fine with this either way. The good it can eventually do will even out the bad it can also do.
I am starting with the good things it can do to us humans. First of all, genes that give greater tolerance of stress to conditions such as drought, low
temperatures or salt in the soil can be inserted into crops, making them juggernaut. This can extend their range of life and open up new areas for food
production. Scientists can also insert genes that make crops and animals grow faster, so that they can be cultivated and harvested in areas with shorter
growing seasons like Minnesota. This ability has the potential to extend farming into new areas with insufficient farmlands, which will drastically
increase the outcome of food and (eventually) money.
Plants and animals can be bioengineered to produce more vital vitamins and minerals to help solve nutrition problems in unfortunate parts of the world.
They can also be altered to produce an increased amount of protein, fats and carbohydrates that

Genetically modified foods or GM foods, also known as genetically engineered foods or bioengineered foods, are foods produced from organisms that
have had changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering techniques allow for the introduction of
new traits as well as greater control over traits than previous methods such as selective breeding and mutation breeding. Commercial sale of
genetically modified foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its unsuccessful Flavr Savr delayed–ripening tomato. Most food modifications
have primarily focused on cash crops in high demand by farmers such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton. Genetically modified crops have been
engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and for better nutrient profiles. GM livestock have been developed, although as of November
2013 none were on the market. There is a scientific consensus that currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human
health than conventional food, but that each GM food needs to be tested on a case–by–case basis before introduction. Nonetheless, members of the
public are much less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe. The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some
nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation. However, there are ongoing public
concerns related to food safety, regulation,

Genetically modified organisms, GMOs for short, are becoming more popular in food around the world. Scientists take genes from some different
organisms to add different qualities to specific crops, like corn. With that, however, comes many unfaced challenges like the cross fertilization of
natural and modified organisms, resistence to pesticides, and health complications, to name a few. As GMOs are becoming more widespread, it is
also becoming more evident that their presence is hazardous and they should be phased out of our food system. One of the challenges faced with the
increased number of GMO crops, is that it has become more difficult to grow natural crops within the vicinity of modified foods. Some may argue that
a buffer zone...show more content...
This ensures that each farmer will buy the next year's seeds and Monsanto will make money. The question is: what makes Monsanto's seeds so
valuable that they need their growers to sign a contract? Other than the fact that their seeds are genetically modified, the most plausible solution is
that Monsanto inserts resistance to Roundup, their herbicide product, in their seeds. This ensures that farmers will also buy their pesticide. Even
though this seems convenient for farmers, it does not go unpaid for. As a way to sidestep the pricey seeds and pesticide, Mr. Bowman bought seeds
from a separate seller for a second crop later in the growing season. He argued later that since these seeds were purchased for a separate crop, outside
of the one he signed a contract for, that he did not understand why Monsanto claims patent infringement. He grew his separately purchased soybeans,
which, by luck, already possessed the Roundup resistant gene. When Monsanto caught wind of what Mr. Bowman had been doing, they sued him for
over $84,000. After Mr. Bowman appealed, the case made it all the way to the Supreme Court where the Justices sided with Monsanto. They declared
that Mr. Bowman made "additional patented soybeans without Monsanto's permission" (Liptak). Mr. Bowman used the seeds that he purchased to
yield eight successful crops. However, he did admit that he

Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Food Essays
Pros and Cons of genetically modified food, or GMOs
Genetically modified foods are a types of foods that have been genetically changed, to add or get rid of an unwanted trait in a food. For example,
seedless oranges. This is a type of orange that is genetically modified (had tits genes changed) specifically so it would grow without seeds. Many
foods are genetically modified today. Oranges, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, and many others have had their genes changed. In fact, the average
person will eat at least one genetically modified food everyday without realizing it. According to a survey by USDA 26% of people asked believed
that they had never eaten a genetically modified food.
Today, over 85% of the corn grown in the U.S is...show more content...
In less wealthy countries, kids stand in line for hours to get shots that treat infectious diseases that have the potential to kill. But what if the kids could
eat dinner and be safe from those diseases for years after they ate a meal? Anti–cholera potatoes are genetically modified potatoes that contain the fluids
that prevent cholera. Sometime in the future, there is a possibility that shots and treatments will be a thing the past. All you will have to do is eat a
potato, and for the rest of your life, you wont have to worry about getting cholera. There are some drawbacks in this though. For example, when the
plants spread pollen, the pollen will carry the gene the gene that makes the food medicated. If the pollen spreads, the gene will spread causing the
natural potatoes to become medicated. This could cause people who didn't want the medicine to take it without realizing it.
GMO foods are not the most healthy or honest foods, but they are the most helpful. Many fruits and vegetables are engineered to be resistant to bugs
and diseases that could cause famine. This helps farmers all over the country by giving them a better harvest. Also, non–sanitary soil has become a
large problem in some places around the world. The soil made it harder for crops to grow in certain environments. To solve this problem, scientists
could take a gene from a plant that can live in these conditions, and plant it into another crop's genome. This would make the crop that

"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...show more content...
A farmer grows these soybeans which then only require one application of weed killer instead of multiple applications, reducing production cost
and limiting the dangers of agricultural waste. In initiation, Agribusinesses, who promote their GMO foods, have asserted fallacies about their
GMO's, stating that they will save the world from hunger by generating more food, create more productive crops, and reduce the cost of farming;
those of which have all been invalidated by experts. For example, Andrew Kimbrell , the executive director of the International Centre for
Technology Assessment, argues that food production is not the problem , and in fact "The world produces more than enough food to feed its
current population", that the problem is in distribution. The world actually produces so much food that "enough is available to provide 4.3 pounds
of food to every person, every day" (Kimbrell 1998). Agribusinesses lie to the people claiming that their GMO's are saving people, and ending
hunger in the world to try and convince you to buy their product, when in effect food production is not the problem. Secondarily, GMO's are said to
be more productive, and create greater yields; however Stated by Kimbrell, "there are currently two principal types of biotech seeds in production:
Herbicide Resistant, and 'Pest' resistant seeds. And in "A Two year study by the University of Nebraska" revealed

The world has seen many changes and advances over the last century, but possibly none that hold as many possibilities as genetic engineering. Genetic
engineering is turning up in more and more places, and it is almost certainly here to stay. Just as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living
since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible
benefits, from helping farmers, to improving foods, to helping the environment, to helping sick people. Genetic engineering may even one day be used
to help solve world hunger. However, it also has its dangers and risks, which need to be considered along with its benefits. The fact that not...show more
content...
Also discovered were vectors, which are DNA codes that can insert themselves into other separate codes. A virus is an example of a vector.
Scientists learned how to build and use special vectors to insert genes of their choice into an organism's DNA code ("What is Genetic
Engineering?"). Numerous techniques (such as selective breeding) have been used for years to change gene codes, but through genetic engineering,
scientists can move genes much easier than before and with greater precision ("What are the Dangers?"). Scientists believe that by using these
techniques, they will be able to improve the quality and characteristics of food that people eat. Genetically modified food ("GM food") is food with
ingredients that have been genetically altered for traits such as larger size, pest resistance in the field, and faster growth. For example, scientists have
used this technology to improve a tomato's ability to resist freezing. To achieve this, a gene from a flounder was added to the tomato's DNA code,
which enable the plant to resist frosts and extends its growing season ("What is Genetic Engineering?"). Another gene was found that could help wheat
grow in fields that normally would not support it. Cows with altered DNA can even produce milk that contains chemicals such as human insulin, which
diabetics need to survive ("Frequently Asked Questions"). These are all examples of how scientists can use gene–splicing technology to

Genetically Engineered Foods
The world has seen many changes and advances over the last century, but possibly none that hold as many possibilities as genetic engineering. Genetic
engineering is turning up in more and more places, and it is almost certainly here to stay. Just as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living
since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible
benefits, from helping farmers, to improving foods, to helping the environment, to helping sick people. Genetic engineering may even one day be used
to help solve world hunger. However, it also has its dangers and risks, which need to be considered along with its benefits. The fact that not...show more
content...
Proponents of this technology claim that biotech crops could, or do, reduce pesticide usage, increase yields per acre, raise the nutritional value of
food, and require less water to grow. In a recent speech, the US Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman, spoke of how the field of medicine is being
transformed by biotech. Human insulin, cancer medications, antibiotics, and vaccines are all products of genetic engineering. A new genetically
engineered (GE) drug has the potential to save hemophiliacs from bleeding to death. Scientists are also researching GE bananas that could one day be
used to give vaccines to children in third–world countries (Glickman). Proponents of genetic engineering also believe that this technology will help
the environment. In the article "Monsanto: Playing God," by Kirkpatrick Sale, some of these benefits are discussed. Monsanto, one of the largest
corporations involved in genetic engineering and research, has developed crops that can be sprayed with the powerful herbicide Roundup (also
manufactured by Monsanto) without being affected by it. This means that a farmer can spray a field of crops with a chemical that is lethal to
virtually all weeds and plants and, as a result, not have to worry about cultivating or plowing. This is beneficial since plowing fields causes much loss
of topsoil through wind and water erosion (25 billion tons of topsoil are lost each year). Monsanto claims that by using its "Roundup

The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Featured

Featured (20)

The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods