Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay Example for Free

Genetically Modified Food and Crops EssayAbstractSince the 1980s scientists cause been altering crops, including some of the nutriment we eat (Fairly Gaskins, 2000). Genetically modify food has eer been a preserve for many race. I find the concerns to be unwarranted because there has never been a negative wellness report due to the fact of consuming GM foods. Biotechnology gives us the best means for lick the beingnesss food shortage now and in the future. Genetically modified crop plants ar now full- educaten on nearly 150 million estate in the linked States al wizard, helping farmers to subjoin yields, curb pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko miller, 2011). What be we actually eating? Looking at ingredients on the back of a product was almost considered out 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 sully the product. In all the question I conducted there was never a proven misuseful yield from genetic engineering. However, the benefits atomic number 18 scientifically proven which gives genetically modified crops the advantage over traditional nation. The proposed ideas and research by scientist show that a lot much can be done with GM food other than eating it. Globalization of GM crops is becoming app arnt as well as GM crop commercialization._Keywords GM Food, GM Crops, Genetically engineered crops, Biotechnology, GM organisms._Genetically modified organisms can be define as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not travel by naturally. The technology is often called bioengineering and it allows 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 success genetic engineering has been applied to floriculture. This has been accomplished without injury to a genius person or damage to the ecosystem.However, activists are still fighting the use of genetically modified crops (Conko Miller 2011). Millions of people around the world suffer from malnutrition and with the steep projected increase of our worlds population in the next 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 ramp up it the gateway for the worlds agriculture success.Genetically modified crops are becoming the building blocks for agriculture advancements. Scientists are continually working to shit more benefits for consumers as well as farmers. The main concern of GM foods is negative health risks however, they are actually more beneficial. GM foods concur longer shelf biography, contain higher nutritional protect and are safer to eat. For example, GM corn has lower fungal toxin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically pr oduce GM crops using fewer pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers (Tyson, 2001). By drastically reducing the use of chemicals on the plants it provides a major service 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 foodengineers now quash 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 intense testing, while conventional varieties rush never been subjected to any such regulation for food safety or environmental regard (Prakash, 2000). Every GM food that is currently available on the international mart 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 riskand therefore should reassure organisation 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 usher proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. U.S. officials pointed out that scientists in Europe had been unable to find any exhibit of added risk to human health or the environment from any GM crop variety developed to date. In fact, none of the studies by Europe found any scientific evidence of added harm to gentleman 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 hundred seventy million hemorrhoid of insect and plant killers. Now GM crops have the ability of containing their own insect and plant cleaning 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 area in which the crop will grow (World Health Organization, 2002). Furthermore, the United NationsEnvironment Program has used funding for developing countries to implement biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations utilise before any crop is planted no matter the cost or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U.S. part of Agriculture has approved seventy four different GM crops. In each case the crops information was reviewed for several years and each concluded that they will have no significant environmental impact (Conko Miller 2011). These precautionary measures toward g enetically modified crops allow the government to regulate farming actions and safeguard the environment.The sign reason GM organisms were created was to improve crop production. The GM crops currently on the market are primarily aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through 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 ofcrops 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 steal these products at a cheaper cost.In fifty years the world population could exceed eleven one million million people unfortunately, the current food supply is not plump outing at the same rate. Because of this, GM crop s need to expand and gain popularity over traditional farming. Global GM crop farming in 1999 covered close 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 solve the food needs of today and the future.Poor farmers in tropical countries face problems such as crop pests, drought and low soil fertility (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce lavish food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease destroy many acres of farmland every 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 coarseness water which allows more area 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 survive off a single staple that own its own doesnt supply sufficient arrives 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 golden 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 which would be a life changing breakthrough. Scientists are also trying to perfect eatable vaccines. They are genetically ad ding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditionalvaccines are expensive to manufacture and require specialized storage. Eatable vaccines, will be easier to transport, store, and administer in trine 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 solely 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 problematic food challenges that have already started. Genetic engineering holds expectant possibilities that could change the world. Simply peeling back a banana infused with antibiotics could be the next breakthrough perception has to offer. Biotechnology 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 instinct of how genetic modifications work making 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 followed. Over industrialization of farming today is negatively viewed therefore making it necessity that a golden mean is set for genetically modified products.BIBLIOGRAPHYFairley, P., Gaskins, P. (2000). Food Fight. _Scholastic Choices_, _15_(8), 16.CONKO, G., MILLER, H. I. (2011). The Rush to reprove Genetically ModifiedCrops. _Policy Review_, (165), 69-82.World Health Orginization. (2002). Retrieved from website http//www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index.htmlTyson, P. T. (2001, April 12). _Harvest of fear_. Retrieved from http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/Prakash, C. (2000). Genetically engineered crops can eat up the world. Retrieved from http//www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/biotech.htmlPaarlberg, R. L. (2003). Reinvigorating genetically modified crops. _Issues in Science and Technology, 19_(3), 86-92. Retrieved from http//ezproxy.sju.edu/login?url=http//search.proquest.com/docview/195920735?accountid=14071