Preview

Anti Gmos

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2412 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Anti Gmos
Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms and Their Impact on Health and the Environment In the field of molecular biology, genetic engineering is the manipulation of DNA for practical purposes. GMO’s or “Genetically Modified Organisms” are plants and animals that have been created through gene splicing techniques, or Genetic Engineering. Genetically modified plants and animals offer a technologically advanced way to potentially reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, increase the nutritional context of foods, and even offer the possibility of feeding the worlds starving masses through the cultivation of larger, healthier crops, that are resistant to disease, drought, and natural predators. However, many in the scientific community are wary about possible side effects that may result from tampering with nature so drastically. They argue Genetically Modified Foods should be strictly controlled because they pose a serious risk to human health, and could have a negative impact on other species, as well as the planet. Although scholars have argued that Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms are safe, a careful examination suggests that GMO’s and GMF’s pose a much more serious threat to public health, the economy, the agricultural stability of the world, and ultimately the environment. Advocated of Genetically Modified Organisms argue that the methods and practices of Genetic Modification are nothing new. They make the claim that people have manipulated foods and crops for thousands of years through classic selection methods and other agricultural practices. “The proponents of such technologies claim that bio-engineering of food is absolutely safe and it is similar to what has been happening through traditional agriculture practices.” (Mohajer 113). Experts in the field of Genetic Modification claim that the genetic manipulation of organisms is a safe agricultural technology to use, and it is the latest and most precise technology to date. While advocates


Cited: Freeman David. “Are Engineered Foods Evil?” Scientific American. Volume 309. Issue 3. (2013): pp. 80-85. EBSCO. Web. November 2013. Grover, Jan. “Genetic Engineering is too Dangerous to be Used in Human Foods.” Greenhaven Press. (2008). Opposing Viewpoins In Context. Web. November 2013. Jefferon, Valeria. “An Overview of the Genetically Modified Food Debate.” Greenhaven Press. (2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. November 2013. Khan, S.J., Muafia, S. and Salariya, A.M. “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOS): Food Security or Threat to Food Safety.” Pakistan Journal of Science. Volume 64. Issue 2. (June 2013): pp. 6-12. EBSCO. Web. November 2013. Kouser, Shanzad, and Qalm, Matin. “Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security.” Plos ONE. Volume 8. Issue 6. (June 2013): pp. 1-7. EBSCO. Web. November 2013. Marsa, Linda. “Anti GMO Grass-Root Effort Gains Ground in U.S.” Discover. Volume 34. Issue 3. (April 2013): pp. 42-43. EBSCO. Web. November 2013. “Rifts Emerge in Scientists’ Views on Safety of GMO’S.” African News Service. (November 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. November 2013. Touyz, L. Z. G. “Genetically Modified Foods, Cancer, and Diet: Myths and Reality.” Current Oncology. Volume 20. Number 2. (April 2013): pp.59-61. EBSCO.Web. November 2013. Union of Concerned Scientists. “Genetically Modified Food Could Harm the Environment.” Greenhaven Press. (2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. November 2013.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Miss

    • 8881 Words
    • 29 Pages

    With changes from the cereal companies and informed consumers it is very likely that this upswing seen in the purchase of non-GMO can be described as a movement of the future of the food industry as well as the seed companies Psychological Effects Acceptance of GMO Some people believe that tampering with nature is intrinsically wrong, and others maintain that inserting plant genes in animals, or vice versa, is immoral. When it comes to genetically modified foods, those who feel strongly that the development of GMOs is against nature or religion have called for clear labeling rules so they can make informed selections when choosing which items to purchase. Respect for consumer choice and assumed risk is as important as having safeguards to prevent mixing of genetically modified products with non-genetically modified foods. In order to determine the requirements for such safeguards, there must be a definitive assessment of what constitutes a GMO and universal agreement on how products should be labeled.…

    • 8881 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Many opponents of genetically modified foods doubt the safety of those artificial foods. They are the products of people’s intelligence and creativeness, but compared to the eternal law of the nature, human knowledge is not always right. People make mistakes, and sometimes they do not notice about these mistakes until the problems arise. Though developers and manufacturers make sure that there are various advantages of consuming genetically modified foods, due to the potential genetic defects or problems in these foods, they may still damage humans' bodies and undermine the environment. Regarding their benefits such as variation of food choice and the decrease of the cost of food production, genetically modified foods do bring improvements to our…

    • 1154 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jefferson, Valeria. "An Overview of the Genetically Modified Food Debate." 2009. Genetically Engineered Foods. Ed. Nancy Harris. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Ethical Dilemma of Genetically Modified Food."Journal of Environmental Health 69.1 (July-Aug.2006): 33-34. Opposing Viewpoints In Context.…

    • 442 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A genetically modified food or GM food product is defined as “meat and edible plants modified through genetic engineering” (Genetically Modified (GM) Foods, 2015). Furthermore, human beings have engaged in the process of genetically modifying plants and animals, with selective breeding practices within identical species, “since the beginning of civilization” (Genetically Modified (GM) Foods, 2015). However, current methods of genetic modification can cross species boundaries, which require suppressive techniques to ensure the foreign genes are accepted by the target plant or animal (Genetically Modified (GM) Foods, 2015). Indeed, this process has led to significant debates regarding the safety of the products that contain GM ingredients and whether these products should be clearly labeled to assist consumers in making an informed choice.…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Anti-GMO Movement

    • 1519 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Genetically Modified Organisms, also known as GMOs, are “living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering,” (The Non-GMO Project). While genetic engineering has the capability of being beneficial to our society, The Non-GMO Project argues that it “creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods,” (The Non-GMO Project). GMOs are very prevalent in our contemporary food industry; The Non-GMO Project website states that “in the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food,” (The Non-GMO Project). New traits are introduced to…

    • 1519 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In today’s day and age, it seems like technology is getting more advanced by the day. Because of this technology, many high income countries such as America now have the ability to mass produce food as well as to genetically modify it to enhance the size, flavor, and appearance. While mass production of food may sound like an easy solution to sustain the constantly increasing global population, many people do not appreciate how dependent food production is on technology, and are posing arguments against the mass production of food while searching for all natural, organic, and locally grown alternatives. In The Eater Reader, it is made very clear that feelings toward this use of technology are very mixed. Some of the authors such as Hannah Wallace and Jamey Lionette argue that foods that are not tampered with and infused with chemicals are healthier for us and worth the extra time and money, while authors such as Mary Lebeau and James McWilliams favor the heavy usage of technology, praising its convenience and positive impact on the environment. While arguments can be made on both sides of the spectrum, the usage of technology to mass produce and make genetically modified organisms (GMOs) seems the most realistic as it satisfies the desires of the majority of Americans, helps to protect the environment, and enables food producers to sustain the increasing global population.…

    • 1589 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Gmo Essay

    • 1692 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Genetically modified (GM) foods could produce new toxic substances, and/or allergens. A gene from the Brazil nut was inserted into the DNA of a soybean plant to increase the nutritional value of the soybean. However, this particular gene in the GM soybean also produced an allergen (a substance that causes allergic reactions in people). Fortunately, the plant was not put into production (McHughen 119). Another example is of a GM tomato called “FLAVR SAVR”. The tomato is larger, tastier, and stays fresher longer than commercial tomatoes on the market. Combining conventional tomato genes with the genes of an arctic trout produces the “FLAVR SAVR”. Nevertheless, questions such as “Will people with sea food allergies be able to consume the tomato?” and “Will the trout genes in the tomato enable new bacteria growth, and thereby make the tomato hazardous to eat?” have still not been answered. This causes the “FLAVR SAVR” to be a potential hazard to human health (McHughen 14, 112). Since technology is new with regards to genetics, there is no real way of knowing whether genetically modified foods would take a negative impact on the body. An incident that occurred in 1989 concerning the nutritional supplement L- Tryptophan is one way of testing the long-term effects of a GM food (Background on L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxy L-tryptophan and the eosinophilia…

    • 1692 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Food: A Reader for Writers: “2000+ Reasons Why GMOs Are Safe to Eat and Environmentally Sustainable” by Jon Entine and JoAnna Wendel…

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    In this essay, arguments will be presented which agree and disagree with the question that ‘genetically modified crops are the only way to feed the world’. Genetically modified (GM) foods are made from genetically modified organisms (GMO). Examples of genetically modified organisms include animals, plants and bacteria. The genetic makeup of GMOs are further altered by making specific changes to their DNA and this is done by genetic engineering. Developing nations of India and Africa will be explored in their outlooks on the pros and cons of GM crops and will illustrate how this effects demand and supply. The conclusion will provide a statement which reflects the benefits of GM technology but how care must be taken to ensure the highest level of safety to human and environmental health.…

    • 2166 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gmo Pros

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages

    However, there may be ways to combat food-shortage issues that does not involve introducing organisms that may be unpredictable into the world’s food supply. People should be fully informed when it comes to a controversial topic such as the safety of these genetically modified foods. British Medical Association. March 2004. According to the British Medical Association, the potential for GM foods to cause harmful health effects is very small and many of the concerns expressed apply with equal vigour to conventionally derived foods. However, safety concerns cannot, as yet, be dismissed completely on the basis of information currently available. Before banning new crops with amazing potential benefits, the public must take every argument, whether positive or negative, into…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pros Of Gmos

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Since GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) were first introduced in 1973, they have quickly taken over the agricultural industry; about 70% of all crops are GM products. However, with the rise of GMOs on the market, there has been a sharp increase of backlash over these products. This backlash is due to the misinformed public that made them ban or have heavy restrictions on GM products in most countries. However, if the public was to become informed about the effects of GMOs, the will be able understand what they do and how to reap the benefits from them.…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    GMOs should be banned

    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The manipulation of plant genes can cause many health dilemmas. In an experiment, several hamsters were fed GM soy, some produced tumours in their testicles and many experienced fertility problems (Mount, 2012). Another study concluded that a gene inserted in cows releases a chemical hormone in their milk that causes humans to have a 4 times higher risk of breast cancer (Batalion, 2009). Likewise, many Americans that were affected by a GM version of a dietary supplement called L-tryptophan caused 37 deaths and 1500 disabled (Batalion, 2009). However, growing large quantities of crops and being able to purchase them cheaply may seem ideal; it’s not worth the health risks that follows.…

    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When it comes to the topic of GMOs, many Americans assume that they are bad and detrimental to our health. I’ve always believed that to be true as well until I began researching the subject more thoroughly. The opinion genetically modified foods are strictly bad can be observed in our society with the movement to mainly eat organic produce and steroid free meat products from animals who were fed non-GMO feed. This way of shopping and consciously choosing alternative organic options is an ideal concept for many Americans who are concerned about the health of themselves and their families. There is great debate that has been brewing for the last decade about genetically modified foods and if they deserve to share a place and function in our world.…

    • 1252 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    My Esaay

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages

    • "Genetically Engineered Food Is Dangerous" by Ronnie Cummins. Genetic Engineering. James D. Torr, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2001. Reprinted from Ronnie Cummins, "Hazards of Genetically Engineered Food and Crops: Why We Need a Global Moratorium," from the BioDemocracy website. Reprinted with permission from Organic Consumers Association and BioDemocracy Campaign…

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Genetically Modified Crops

    • 14540 Words
    • 59 Pages

    Every time we go to supermarkets or any grocery stores, we would not know whether the vegetables, fruits or even meats being sold are genetically modified. To make this situation worse, most consumers do not pay much attention to what they are eating, when they are actually devouring genetically engineered food. Despite of this ignorance, more and more people, including researchers, are becoming aware of the impacts of genetically modified food, and debate over the issue of whether genetic engineering should be stopped from modifying organisms has never ceased. According to a statistic from Institute for Responsible Technology (2007), 91% of soy, 85% of corn, and 80% of canola sold in the U.S. are genetically modified. In fact, analysts estimate that 60% to 75% of processed food commonly found in supermarkets and restaurants are genetically engineered. Although genetic engineering technology in agriculture can help increase crops production, reduce environment pollution, increase the amount of nutrients in food, create pharmaceutical products, and slow down ripening process of plants, genetically modified food should be strictly controlled because it would create herbicide-resistant superweeds, cause genetic pollution, induce allergic responses, post risks to human's health and have negative impact on other wild species.…

    • 14540 Words
    • 59 Pages
    Powerful Essays