Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay Example for Free

genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay schema Since the 1980s scientists have been altering shaves, including some of the provender we eat (Fairly Gaskins, 2000). genetically modified nutriment has perpetually been a concern for many pot. I watch over the concerns to be unwarranted beca usance there has never been a shun health report due to the fact of consuming GM foods. Biotechnology gives us the shell means for solving the worlds food shortage now and in the future. Genetically modified primp plants atomic number 18 now get downn on nearly 150 million acres in the coupled States alone, support farmers to amplification outturns, reduce pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko Miller, 2011). What argon 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 buy the product. In a ll the research I conducted there was never a proved harmful mental picture from genetic engineering. However, the benefits are scientifically proven which gives genetically modified crops the advantage everywhere tralatitious solid ground. The proposed ideas and research by scientist show that a lot more can buoy be serve with GM food other than eating it.Globalization of GM crops is becoming apparent as intimately as GM crop commercialization. _Keywords GM Food, GM Crops, Genetically engineered crops, Biotechnology, GM organisms. _ Genetically modified organisms can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a elbow room that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called biotechnology and it allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another(prenominal) (World Health Organization, 2002). For more than twenty years of scientific, humanitarian, and financial success genetic engineering has been applied to agriculture.This has been complete without injury to a single 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 abutting fifty years a change needs to be make. Genetically modified crops increase yield, nutrition and uses less 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 risks however, they are actually more beneficial. GM foods have longer shelf life, contain high nutritional value and are safer to eat. For example, GM corn has lower fungal to xin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically produce GM crops using 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 whitethorn 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 condone the risk (Fairley Gaskins 2000). Products from biotechnology are no less safe than traditionally bred crops. According to Dr.Prakash, genetically modify products are subjected to intensive testing, while conventional varieties have never been subjected to any such regulation for food safety or milieual impact (Prakash, 2000). Every GM food that is currently available on the international commercialise 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 thus 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 middling like the health trepidations. No scientific examine proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. U. S. officials pointed out that scientists in Europe had been unable to find any evidence 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 humans or the environment (Paarlberg, 2003).GM engineer ing will actually help the environment rather than harm it. In the U. S. alone farmers annually plow more than nine hundred 70 million tons of dirt ball and plant killers. Now GM crops have the ability of containing their own insect and plant killing gene which means the farmers can use fewer chemicals (Tyson, 2001). To ensure that the environment is stay 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 Nations Environment Program has used funding for developing countries to hold biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations implemented before any crop is planted no matter the cost or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U. S. Department of Agriculture has approved seventy four different GM crops. In distributively case the crops data was reviewed for several years and each concluded that they will have no monumental environmental impact (C onko Miller 2011).These precautionary measures toward genetically modified crops allow the government to regulate farming 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 through the introduction of subway system 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 of crops and technology accounts for the bring down 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 crown eleven billion people unfortunately, the current food supply is not expandi ng at the same rate. Because of this, GM crops need to expand and gain popularity over traditional farming. Global GM crop farming in 1999 covered 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 productiveness give us the best chance to safely work out the food needs of today and the future. scant(p) farmers in tropical countries face problems such as crop pests, drought and low soil magnificence (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce enough food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease undo many acres of farmland every year.Fortunately scientists are creating GM crops with built in guard to insects and diseases. GM Crops are also universe developed that can grow in deserts or near salt wat er 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 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 golden rice, which can energise our bodies to generate vitamin A. In the developing world, vitamin-A deficiency kills two million children each year (Tyson, 2001). A ontogeny through GM foods may be able to save two million people which would be a life changing breakthrough.Scientists are also trying to perfe ct eatable vaccines. They are genetically adding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditional vaccines are expensive to manufacture 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 clownish conditions make farming challenging. The U. S. needs to ensure the people of these countries that GM food is safe and will be nothing but beneficial to their people.Genetic engineering is a crucial factor in unpolished productivity and if it continues to safely expand it could help meet the problematic 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. 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 understanding 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 distinguish 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 thence making it essential that a golden mean is set for genetically modified products.BIBLIOGRAPHY Fairley, P. , Gaskins, P. (2000). Food agitate. _Scholastic Choices_, _15_(8), 16. CONKO, G. , MILLER, H. I. (2011). The Rush 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. html Tyson, P. T. (2001, April 12). _Harvest of fear_. Retrieved from http//www. pbs. org/wgbh/harvest/embody/ Prakash, C. (2000).Genetically engineered crops can feed the world. Retrieved from http//www. 21stcenturysciencetech. com/articles/biotech. html Paarlberg, R. L. (2003). Reinvigorating genetically modified crops. _Issues in Science and Technology, 19_(3), 86-92. Retrieved from http//ezproxy. sju. edu/login? universal resource locator=http//search. proquest. com/docview/195920735? accountid=14071.