The Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods
The Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods
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.
In his article titled “Mass Production of Food is Ruining Our Health”, Jamey Lionette makes many negative claims about the quality of mass produced food. He seems to be against every kind of food except that which is locally grown. While he raves about “the glory of a local tomato” (153) in Boston, he has nothing but bad things to say about mass produced food. He claims that, “If you could witness how most of our food is produced, you would be outraged” (157). He also says that “Organic food…”, which many people think of as a better alternative
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.
In his article titled “Mass Production of Food is Ruining Our Health”, Jamey Lionette makes many negative claims about the quality of mass produced food. He seems to be against every kind of food except that which is locally grown. While he raves about “the glory of a local tomato” (153) in Boston, he has nothing but bad things to say about mass produced food. He claims that, “If you could witness how most of our food is produced, you would be outraged” (157). He also says that “Organic food…”, which many people think of as a better alternative
Cited: Azadi, Hussein. "Genetically Modified and Organic Crops in Developing Countries: A Review of Options for Food Security." Biotechnology Advances 28.1 (2009): 165. Sciencedirect.com. Centre for Development Studies, 11 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. Lebeau, Mary Dixon. "At 50, TV Dinner Is Still Cookin '" The Eater Reader. By James S. Miller. Boston, MA.: Longman, 2011. 160-63. Print. Lionette, Jamey. "Mass Production of Food Is Ruining Our Health." The Eater Reader. By James S. Miller. Boston, MA.: Longman, 2011. 150-60. Print. McWilliams, James. "The Green Monster Could Frankenfoods Be Good for the Environment?" The Eater Reader. By James S. Miller. Boston, MA.: Longman, 2011. 164-68. Print. Qaim, Matin. "Benefits of Geneticallymodified Crops for the Poor: Household Income, Nutrition, and Health." New Biotechnology 27.5 (2010): 555. Sciencedirect.com. Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1871678410005364/1-s2.0-S1871678410005364-main.pdf?_tid=4f4785604d21f1aae8a206ecbf8012bb&acdnat=1334639990_b7bfc7976b8d7f26b85e005e605c8ff0>.