Genetically Modified Organisms
Leila Cappellano
Mrs. Moss
AP Biology
3/4/13
Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically modified organisms have been a controversial subject since their discovery throughout the world. While arguments are made that some of these organisms can benefit people, most of these unnatural organisms contaminate the environment. Many say that not enough research has been done to know what these organisms are capable of doing to the environment and the health of the population. Genetically modified food should be researched thoroughly to assure the public that these crops are either safe or harmful to the environment or to themselves.
Genetically modified (GM) crops are designed to be protected from pest and insects without harmful chemical pesticides to the surrounding environment. Research has been done to suggest that the GM plants are harming the natural organisms in the environment. The crops have harmful effects on some insects such as death, mutated offspring, and a change in lifespan. These crops have been claimed toxic and dangerous to the environment.
Others claim that there has not been enough research on the GM crops to suggest that they are either good or bad for the environment. Hilbeck’s research on the effect of GM corn crops on European Corn Bores (ECB) is one example of the research done on GM products. For crops other than GM corn, not enough research has been done. In order to assure that the environment and human population is safe, research should be done to regulate the GM products produced.
Organic food companies, such as Limagrain, don’t use herbicides or pestacides on their crops and instead turn to genetically modifying their crops. A representative of the company, Bill Angus, claims that the reason for this is to grow as much grain as possible with minimum waste. Angus says that GM crops are an easy and fast way to support the growing population and if the world doesn’t change then the world would starve. While this is true, the
Mrs. Moss
AP Biology
3/4/13
Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically modified organisms have been a controversial subject since their discovery throughout the world. While arguments are made that some of these organisms can benefit people, most of these unnatural organisms contaminate the environment. Many say that not enough research has been done to know what these organisms are capable of doing to the environment and the health of the population. Genetically modified food should be researched thoroughly to assure the public that these crops are either safe or harmful to the environment or to themselves.
Genetically modified (GM) crops are designed to be protected from pest and insects without harmful chemical pesticides to the surrounding environment. Research has been done to suggest that the GM plants are harming the natural organisms in the environment. The crops have harmful effects on some insects such as death, mutated offspring, and a change in lifespan. These crops have been claimed toxic and dangerous to the environment.
Others claim that there has not been enough research on the GM crops to suggest that they are either good or bad for the environment. Hilbeck’s research on the effect of GM corn crops on European Corn Bores (ECB) is one example of the research done on GM products. For crops other than GM corn, not enough research has been done. In order to assure that the environment and human population is safe, research should be done to regulate the GM products produced.
Organic food companies, such as Limagrain, don’t use herbicides or pestacides on their crops and instead turn to genetically modifying their crops. A representative of the company, Bill Angus, claims that the reason for this is to grow as much grain as possible with minimum waste. Angus says that GM crops are an easy and fast way to support the growing population and if the world doesn’t change then the world would starve. While this is true, the
Cited: Dale, Clarke, Fontes. "Potential for the environmental impact of transgenic crops." biotech.nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2013. <www.ask-force.org/web/biodiversity/Dale-Pot-Imp-nbt0602-567.pdf>. Far less scary than it used to be. Economist, 7/26/2003, Vol. 368 Issue 8334, p23-25, 3p, 2 graphs, 2c; (AN 10380301) Pusztai, Arpad. "Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? (ActionBioscience)."ActionBioscience - promoting bioscience literacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/ Pendrous, Rick. "Genetic modification can help us feed the world with wheat." Food and drink manufacturing news: Food Manufacture. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2013. <http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Business-News/Genetic-modification-can-help-us-feed-the-world-with-wheat>.