Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay

Abstract Since the 1980s scientists book been altering crops, including virtually of the diet we eat (Fairly & Gaskins, 2000). inheritedally miscell whatever victuals has always been a line of work for many the great unwashed. I find the concerns to be unwarranted beca phthisis at that place has never been a negative health report due to the incident of consuming GM fares. Bio applied science gives us the best moer for resolving power the worlds food shortage now and in the future. genically modified crop plants argon now grown on swell up-nigh 150 billion acres in the joined States al adept, helping farmers to extend yields, reduce pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko & moth miller, 2011).What argon we actually take in? tone at ingredients on the back of a product was almost considered stunned of the ordinary ten to fifteen years ago. But now it is one of the most important factors in the decision on whether or not a consumer will buy the product. In all the research I conducted there was never a be harmful effect from genetic engineering. However, the benefits ar scientifically proven which gives genetically modified crops the advantage over traditional farm. The proposed ideas and research by scientist show that a lot more(prenominal) than depose be done with GM food other than eating it.Globalization of GM crops is becoming app bent as well as GM crop commercialization. _Keywords GM Food, GM Crops, genetically engineered crops, biotechnology, GM beings. _ Genetically modified organisms can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material ( deoxyribonucleic acid) has been altered in a way that does not issue forth naturally. The technology is often called biotechnology and it leave behinds selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another (World Health Organization, 2002). For more than twenty years of scientific, humanitarian, and financial achievement genetic engineering has been appli ed to land.This has been accomplished without injury to a private person or damage to the ecosystem. However, activists atomic number 18 still fighting the use of genetically modified crops (Conko & Miller 2011). Millions of people around the world behave from malnutrition and with the steep projected increase of our worlds population in the future(a) fifty years a change needs to be made. Genetically modified crops increase yield, nutrition and uses fewer pesticides all without proven negative effects. GM crops and all its benefits make it the gateway for the worlds agriculture success.Genetically modified crops are becoming the building blocks for agriculture advancements. Scientists are continually working to create more benefits for consumers as well as farmers. The main concern of GM foods is negative health venture of infections however, they are actually more beneficial. GM foods have longer shelf life, break off higher nutritional value and are safer to eat. For exam ple, GM corn has start fungal toxin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically produce GM crops development fewer pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers (Tyson, 2001).By drastically reducing the use of chemicals on the plants it provides a major improvement for the consumers safety and nourishment. Because scientists slightly tweak the DNA of the plants with other genes it is possible that food allergens may end up in GM products. Steve Taylor, a scientists at the University of Nebraska states that, the food-allergy threat is small because food engineers now avoid using genes from nuts and other common food allergens. The benefits of genetic engineering justify the risk (Fairley & Gaskins 2000). Products from biotechnology are no less safe than traditionally bred crops. According to Dr.Prakash, genetically improved products are subjected to intensive testing, while conventional varieties have never been subjected to any such(prenominal) regulation for food safety or environm ental impact (Prakash, 2000). all(prenominal) GM food that is currently available on the international grocery has already passed risk assessments and is not likely to pose a risk for the consumers. No effects have been shown and GM foods will continue to be regulated in more and more countries (World Health Organization, 2002). GM crops are never expected to present a health risk and because should reassure government officials worldwide in the use of this technology.Another concern of GM technology is the effect it has on the environment. The environmental risks of biotechnology are also unidentified just like the health trepidations. No scientific evidence proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. U. S. officials pointed out that scientists in europium had been unable to find any evidence of added risk to human health or the environment from any GM crop variety actual to date. In fact, none of the studies by Europe found any scientific evidence of added harm to h umans or the environment (Paarlberg, 2003).GM engineering will actually help the environment rather than harm it. In the U. S. alone farmers annually administer more than nine atomic number 6 70 million tons of insect and plant killers. Now GM crops have the skill of containing their own insect and plant violent death gene which means the farmers can use fewer chemicals (Tyson, 2001). To ensure that the environment is remaining safe, risk assessments are conducted for the GM product as well as the welkin in which the crop will grow (World Health Organization, 2002).Furthermore, the United Nations milieu Program has used funding for underdeveloped countries to implement biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations apply before any crop is planted no matter the price or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U. S. Department of Agriculture has approved seventy quadruple different GM crops. In each case the crops data was reviewed for some(prenomina l) years and each concluded that they will have no crucial environmental impact (Conko & Miller 2011).These precautionary measures toward genetically modified crops allow the government to regulate ground actions and safeguard the environment. The initial reason GM organisms were created was to improve crop production. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection finished the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or with increased tolerance towards herbicides (Tyson, 2001). Producers are getting a lot more for a lot less which translates to products with lower prices.The improved production of crops and technology accounts for the lowered costs and have forced tremendous competition in the herbicide and insecticide markets (Prakash, 2000). This also helps traditional farmers because it now allows them to buy these products at a cheaper cost. In fifty years the world population could excel eleven billion people unfortunately, the current food supply is not expanding at the same rate. Because of this, GM crops need to expand and gain popularity over traditional farming. Global GM crop farming in 1999 cover about one hundred million acres (Tyson, 2001).Now, genetically modified crop plants are grown on nearly one hundred fifty million acres in the United States alone (Conko & Miller 2011). These statistics show that GM crop farming is rapidly expanding and the benefits are obvious. Biotechnology and its productivity give us the best chance to safely lick the food needs of today and the future. Poor farmers in tropical countries wait problems such as crop pests, drought and low soil foulness (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce adequacy food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease destroy many acres of farmland both year.Fortunately scientists are creating GM crops with built in resistance to insects and diseases. GM Crops are also being developed that can grow in deserts or near salt water which allows more subject field for farming (Fairley & Gaskins, 2011). Because GM crops are now being built in with these resistances farmers wont experience huge financial setbacks caused by pests killing their plants. Since the majority of malnutrition people in the world live in developing countries this opens up the opportunity for them to increase crop yield and provide enough food for everyone.Also, in developing countries people often have to brave off a single staple that own its own doesnt supply sufficient amounts of nutrients. Food scientist hope to solve this problem by creating crops equipped with vitamins and minerals. According to Tyson, one of the most promising is easy rice, which can stimulate our bodies to generate vitamin A. In the developing world, vitamin-A deficiency kills two million children each year (Tyson, 2001). A development through GM foods may be able to save two million people wh ich would be a life changing breakthrough.Scientists are also trying to entire eatable vaccines. They are genetically adding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditional vaccines are expensive to settle and require specialized storage. Eatable vaccines, will be easier to transport, store, and administer in third world countries (Tyson, 2001). Biotechnology holds unlimited potential for areas of the world where poverty and poor agricultural conditions make farming challenging. The U. S. needs to ensure the people of these countries that GM food is safe and will be nothing just now beneficial to their people.Genetic engineering is a crucial factor in agricultural productivity and if it continues to safely expand it could help meet the baffling food challenges that have already started. Genetic engineering holds great possibilities that could change the world. Simply peeling back a banana infused with antibiotics could be the next breakthrough science has to offer. Biotechn ology continues to show safety is not an issue. GM farmers are now administering fewer chemicals on their crops. This reduces the amount of air pollution and water contamination in the environment.Genetic modifications were being made since farming started. Farmers always crossed bred the most successful plants year to year and without any concerns from the public. Today, scientist have a better understanding of how genetic modifications work qualification it safer for the consumers. However, government regulations are still implemented just for precautionary purposes. The United States is fortunate enough to grow numerous varieties of crops and also have the ability to choose the method of how they are grown. Unfortunately, not every country has these advantages.Genetically modified products allow these developing nations to grow crops at a more productive rate. Commercialization of genetically modified agriculture needs to be strictly monitored to make sure regulations are follo wed. Over industrialization of farming today is negatively viewed therefore making it essential that a golden mean is set for genetically modified products.BIBLIOGRAPHY Fairley, P. , & Gaskins, P. (2000). Food Fight. _Scholastic Choices_, _15_(8), 16. CONKO, G. , & MILLER, H. I. (2011). The stack to Condemn Genetically Modified Crops. _Policy Review_, (165), 69-82. World Health Orginization.(2002). Retrieved from website http//www. who. int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index. hypertext markup language Tyson, P. T. (2001, April 12). _Harvest of fear_. Retrieved from http//www. pbs. org/wgbh/harvest/exist/ Prakash, C. (2000).Genetically engineered crops can feed the world. Retrieved from http//www. 21stcenturysciencetech. com/articles/biotech. hypertext mark-up language Paarlberg, R. L. (2003). Reinvigorating genetically modified crops. _Issues in Science and Technology, 19_(3), 86-92. 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