Mr. Wilson
English 1301-DC027
30 November 2014
Genetically Modified Foods
Will genetically modified foods harm our body system? Does everyone know that the majority of our diet consists of genetically mutilated products? Across the world, there are countless controversies regarding the consumption and market of genetically modified foods (GMF). Although there are risks to the production of genetically modified products, the commercial placement of GMF in markets will benefit the consumers.
Brooke Borel discusses the concerns over the nature and effects of genetically modified organisms in her article, “Core Truths.” Artic Granny and Artic Golden apples go through genetic engineering which allows them to have “desirable” traits such as becoming non-browning apples. Although the risks of GMOs are still unknown as they are still too “new,” there have been arguments that GMOs can cause health problems as they could introduce hazardous proteins into the food chain. However, biotech companies have performed “extensive” tests for allergy and toxicity with the FDA. Another rising concern is the resistance of genetically modified crops to pesticides. However, this issue can simply be solved by rotating crops. Cross pollinating between GMOs and organic plants are also a rising concerns as farmers are struggling to keep the two separated. This problem can also be simply solved by “staggering plant schedules(56).”
In “Let's Open Our Minds and Mouths to GM Food” by William Reville, Reville argues that opponents of genetically modified foods claim the products to be “safe to eat(12)” as there are “little or no evidence of any risk(12)” Reville also states that the “adoption will be essential(12)” to feed the increasing growth of population in America. Plants are cross-bred until they possess “desirable characteristics(12).” Crops such as “corn, maize, soya bean, and cotton(12)” have built a resistance to the herbicide “Roundup,” which kills off weeds. The herbicide