The Controversial Issue Of Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically modified foods can be good and bad for humans and the economy. For example, if you do not cook an genetically modify foods it can cause us humans to become deathly ill. If the soil is not treated before the genetically modified seed is placed into the ground it can damage the soil and the earth around it.

The last few years American’s have been the center of attention when it comes to an example of unhealthy living. In 2013 obesity became recognized as a disease in order to help aid the fight for a healthy future. Fingers are being pointed at every company and government branch possible on who is to blame for the current crisis. One thing people are able to agree on is that the food we are eating is the main cause of the health crisis in America. At the heart of this debate is the discussion on genetically modified organism, or GMO foods.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of genetic modification in foods grown for human consumption. Many opponents suggest that genetically modified (GM) foods can affect human growth and development, increase allergic reactions in persons with allergy sensitivity or cause allergies to develop in healthy people. Proponents of using genetically modified organisms to alter and improve foods claim that there are no health risks to humans and that GM foods are subjected to stricter guidelines and testing than “naturally” grown food. They also claim that genetic modification of food is necessary to produce more drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant crops that can sustain the earth’s growing human population. A recent survey conducted suggests that public opinion is evenly divided on whether or not GMOs should be used in foods for human consumption. This paper looks to discuss the pros and cons of GMOs in food and the reported effects, if any, on human growth and development.

The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily

Should people be worried about genetically engineered food? Many people are starting to question what it is exactly that they are eating and how it could possibly harm them. Specifically, the harm that could befall them from GM food. A genetically modified organism is something that received one or more genes from another organism. There are three arguments that the people worried about GM food put on the table; those arguments being: GM food should be labeled, GM foods are not safe to eat, and GM crops won’t end world hunger and feed the whole world.

Another crucial way in which humans are harmed from genetically modified foods is obesity. Obesity stems from an abnormal diet with high calorie-dense foods which results in above average body fat. It is associated with increased risk of disease such as cardiovascular failure and liver cancer, disability and incapacitation from excess weight on the joints and bones, and even death from complications arising from the obesity – not the obesity itself. People are consciously ignorant about the foods they eat. “Obesity is the sixth most common disease worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion adults and 10% of children are considered obese” (Haslam). Obesity is a chronic

In January 2015, the internet exploded with the news that doctors confirm the first human death officially caused by GMO’s. Juan Pedro Ramos from Madrid, Spain died from anaphylaxis after eating some recently developed tomatoes containing fish genes, which triggered a violent and lethal allergic reaction (Johnson, 2015). The case was confirmed with an autopsy and DNA testing of the tomato, which not only included fish related allergens but also antibiotic resistant genes, which did not allow Mr. Ramos white blood cells to help save his life. This is an amazing news article and it shocked the general population to the point that the debate started and more individuals started discussing the topic of GMOs. However, most people do not know what GMOs are or how they work or if it is bad for the human health. There are just stipulations and misinformation found on the internet.

The author of this article, Jennifer Ackerman has written many informative books about science and nature for 25 years. She has also won the award of “Best Science Book of 2016” by the Wall Street Journal which shows the author’s credibility and experience in writing informative pieces which include scientifically accurate information about different topics. The article is meant to inform people, especially those with little knowledge or opinions about genetically modified foods-- as shown through the question and answer format and by the presence both the beneficial and harmful effects of GMOs. This article includes information about the opinions of all three sides, and is a good general synopsis of the facts which each side will likely use

Genetically modified crops are a controversial issue to many people. GMO’s have both pros and cons. Due to increasing demand for food genetically modified crops have been more effective because they are designed to produce more yield and be pest resistance. Some downfalls of GMO’s are that they decrease biodiversity and the long term effects of GMO’s are still unknown. I believe that genetically modified foods should be labeled, because people have the right to know what is in the foods they are eating. If the GMO foods are labeled then people have the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want to eat genetically modified crops. Many consumers want to buy healthy foods at the grocery store so they go out of their way to buy local

With an ever-growing population and the problems of world hunger, there has been a high demand for an increased food supply and a better food supply. Technology has been called upon to meet this challenge. The advent of genetically engineered foods, sometimes called transgenic crops or genetically modified foods, is not a new concept, but the controversy over it is. Can these "frankenfoods" be harmful to humans? What are their effects on the environment? The following paper will focus on such questions as well as providing a better understanding of what genetically modified foods are and how they should be regulated.

Many consumers do not wish to eat food that has been dosed with pesticides because of the possibility of health hazards. However, genetically modified foods are quite capable of helping eliminating the utilization of harmful chemical pesticides. Due to this, many farmers choose and prefer to plant biotech produce because of this benefit. In recent news, Sudan decided to take part in planting a type of these crops, Bt cotton. The production of Bt cotton has led to a decrease in the amount of insecticides used by 50%, reducing the risk of exposure to these chemicals. In China, the use of Bt cotton has led to a reduction of 78,000 tons of pesticide which covers about a quarter of what China has sprayed. (ISAAA, http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/44/executivesummary/default.asp) Furthermore, the uses of these types of biotech crops allow a reduction of risks associated with agricultural waste run-offs. GMOs in these countries show how they are beneficial especially for preventing environmental and human contact damage.

Recently, the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has raised controversy in both the public and private sectors. Much of this relates to GMOs in food and crop and the potential consequences of consuming such produce on a large-scale basis as is becoming increasingly commonplace in the United States. These concerns, when coupled with the often concerning practices in animal feedlots, have begun to create almost a panic in the minds of consumers who find themselves questioning what they are eating. A greater understanding of genetically modified organisms, especially as it relates to food, is necessary for people to truly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the increased use of GMOs.

Consumers do not need to go far to find Genetically Modified (GM) foods at the grocery store considering “90% of the corn and soybeans planted in the United States” (Landrigan, 2015, p.1) are genetically modified, helping to increase farmer’s crop yields. The GM corn alone is used extensively in many other forms such as processed foods, sodas, bread and more. Even though GM foods have been around since the early 90’s, the debate surrounding the plausible health and environmental impacts have only inflated in more recent years. For what started out as scientists in a lab striving to improve the U.S. and the extended worlds existing social problems such as world hunger, turned into a social concern of its own. Consumer knowledge is limited or skewed due to chemical giants such as Monsanto, investing in a multitude of public campaigns to display the safety of modified foods. Although there are multiple concerns surrounding GM foods, the heaviest burden on society today is the unknown. It is extremely important that the general public becomes more knowledgeable surrounding every facet of GM food in order to help identify and create solutions, while striving to decrease any potential negative implications.

    Humans have been changing the genetic properties of organisms for centuries, through all the standard of procreation techniques with the use of radiation and chemicals to create random mutations, some of them turn out to be useful, for example Genetic Modified (GM) Foods. What is Genetically Modified (GM) Foods? GM foods are foods that are derived from organisms that have been genetically engineered. Also they are called genetically engineered (GE) or transgenic crops that are generally made of a genetic marker. GMO have an extensive  history. In reality, they have been around for thousands of years. So as it may be the conflict over their safety should not  be about even if they are safe for humans to consume or rather how they will impact long term. Even though Genetically Modified Foods (GMF) would increase food costs, these can improve yields for farmers, provide nutritional benefits, and help to alleviate the increasing global population of third world countries.

Sustainable living is, living in harmony with the community around you and the natural world you are placed in. Living in such a way that how you live your life will not harmfully affect the world around you now, or the well being of that community for future generations. Nowadays a problem of genetically modified food is widespread all over the world. More and more GM foods appear on the shelves of our grocery stores and supermarkets. But, how much do we actually know about genetically modified foods? I believe there is not one answer for whether they are; good or bad for us, the environment, or for the economy. GM foods are designed for greater resistance to viruses and pests, higher nutritional value, a longer shelf life and many other hardships of farming. However, their safety, potential risks and ethical concerns are still being debated.