Food and nutrition has and always will be necessary for the existence of humans. Over the years as populations have increased, food production has adapted, by using new methods and technologies to cope with the increase in demand. While other demographics haven’t, starvation is rampant throughout the world and continues to increase daily. Among these new methods came genetic engineering the ability to alter the genes in foods; however along with capabilities came unprecedented controversy. This issue is both relevant and debateable with many sensitive and influential factors. The emphasis on genetic engineering is, has and will only grow and become more critical. For instance, world hunger could potentially be resolved through the study, production and consumption of genetically modified foods . (Avise, 2004, p. 3) The benefits and consequences of this issue prove to be more than adequately interesting and contribute to my fascination of the topic. With our current environmental habits our planet is deteriorating, it is without a doubt that changes must be implemented.
This is becoming exceedingly difficult as populations continue to rise and natural resources continue to diminish. The various biomes of the world are all quite fragile, due to pollution, contamination and deforestation they have suffered tremendously killing many species and destroying many habitats. (A.Alteri, p. 2) Some sources include the possible benefits of implementing genetic engineering into food production as qualities such as a potentially bigger yield and better nutritional properties. (Martina McGloughlin, 1999, p. 1) While the benefit of investing in genetic engineering could prove very rewarding quite little is still known about the effects especially environmental ones.
The definition of a genetically modified organism is, the combining genes from different organisms in order alter the organism’s genetic makeup. The terms