Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay

AbstractSince the 1980s scientists go through been altering restricts, including some of the feed we eat (Fairly & Gaskins, 2000). familialally special forage has everlastingly been a cephalalgia for many people. I find the concerns to be unwarranted because at that place has never been a minus health report due to the fact of consuming GM victualss. Bio engineering science gives us the best thinks for solving the creative activitys nourishment shortage at present and in the future. Genetically change crop plants atomic number 18 now grown on nearly cl cardinal acres in the United States alone, helping farmers to increase yields, subject pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko & Miller, 2011). What argon we actually eating? Looking at ingredients on the back of a product was al near considered out of the unexceptional ten to fifteen long time ago.But now it is one of the most important factors in the decision on whether or not a consumer leave alone buy th e product. In all the research I conducted there was never a proven harmful effect from catching engineering. However, the benefits atomic number 18 scientifically proven which gives genetically special crops the advantage over conventional floriculture. The proposed ideas and research by scientist give tongue to that a lot more crapper 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 organisms._Genetically modified organisms hindquarters be defined as organisms in which the genetic physical (DNA) has been altered in a way 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 engine ering has been applied to kitchen-gardening. This has been accomplished without injury to a single psyche or damage to the ecosystem.However, activists argon still fighting the use of genetically modified crops (Conko & Miller 2011). Millions of people around the world suffer from malnutrition and with the tincture projected increase of our worlds population in the succeeding(a) cubic decimeter years a change needs to be made. Genetically modified crops increase yield, nutrition and uses few 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 adept. GM foods have longer shelf life, contain higher(prenominal) nutritional value and ar e safer to eat. For example, GM corn has lower fungous toxin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically produce GM crops using fewer pesticides, weedkillers and fertilizers (Tyson, 2001). By drastically reducing the use of chemicals on the plants it provides a major(ip) betterment 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 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(prenominal) safe than handed-downly bred crops. According to Dr. Prakash, genetically improved products are subjected to intensifier testing, while conventional varieties have never been subjected to any much(prenominal) standard for food safety or environmental impact (Prakash, 2000). Every GM food that is currently available on the international market 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 correct in more and more countries (World Health Organization, 2002). GM crops are never expected to present a health riskand therefore should calm down brass pipicials 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 as well unidentified just like the health trepidations. No scientific license proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. U.S. officials pointed out that scientists in Europe had been inefficient to find any bear witness 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 scie ntific evidence of added harm to humans 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 tons of insect and plant killers. Now GM crops have the skill 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 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 plan has used funding for developing countries to implement biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations implemented to begin with any crop is planted no matter the cost or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved seventy four disparate GM crops. In separately case the crops data was r eviewed for several years and each concluded that they will have no significant environmental impact (Conko & Miller 2011). These precautionary measures toward genetically modified crops allow the establishment 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 in general aimed at an change magnitude level of crop protection through the macrocosm 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 let 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 yea rs the world population could exceed xi billion people un goodly, the current food show 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 covered more or less 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 fur-bearingness give us the best chance to safely solve the food needs of like a shot and the future.Poor farmers in tropical countries face problems such as crop pests, drouth and low soil fertility (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce enough food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease destroy many acres of farmland every year. as luck would have it scientists are creating GM crops wit h built in resistance to insects and diseases. GM Crops are also being developed that can grow in desert or near salt piddle 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 volume 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 render with vitamins and minerals. According to Tyson, one of the most promising is golden rice, which can chivy 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 fo ods may be able to save two million people which would be a life changing uncovering. Scientists are also trying to perfect provisions vaccines. They are genetically adding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditionalvaccines are expensive to manufacture and take away specialized storage. Eatable vaccines, will be easier to transport, store, and administer in tercet world countries (Tyson, 2001). Biotechnology holds unlimited potential for areas of the world where poverty and deplorable rude 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 agricultural 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. obviously peeling back a banana infused with antibiotics could b e 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 direct 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 stric tly monitored to make sure regulations are followed. Over industrialization of farming today is negatively viewed therefore making it essential 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 excoriate 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/ hold up/Prakash, C. (2000). Genetically engineered crops can feed 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/195920 735?accountid=14071