Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified food has been a major topic on the minds of many individuals as of late. Basic questions arise such as what exactly are genetically modified foods, what are the health risks, how does it affect the economy, and what are the benefits? The term genetically modified food (or GM foods) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants are created to enhance nutritional value or increase the resistance to herbicides. The old method of enhancing plants was done through breeding them over and over again. This was deemed too time consuming and not accurate enough in the minds of some. Now, scientists can isolate a gene responsible for a certain characteristics of one plant and put it into another. Genes from non-plant cells can also be transplanted into the plants. The best known example of this is the use of BT genes in corn and other crops. BT is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. BT. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects. There are some major advantages of using biotechnolog
The same processes are being used to produce genetically modified animals. Animals that have less fat, grow faster, produce better milk act. Some of the same concerns arise with this issue as well. An example is farmed raised salmon. A report from a panel of authorities stated that if farm-raised salmon that have had their genes altered to speed growth were released into the wild, they could compete more successfully for food and mates than wild salmon. This would change the whole dynamic of the salmon’s environment and disrupt the natural order of things. Some people may have heard the rumors about KFC and if their products were actually chicken. No evidence has shown this is true but it opens the lines for debate. If KFC could produce hormone pumped chickens without beaks, feet, or feathers at an economically sound price, should they? Would people have the right to know? As of now there is no governing body that says food companies must advertise genetically modified foods. Its my belief that people should have the right to know what they are eating and more studies should be done on these genetically modifies foods to see if they are actually safe. These plants and animal variants need to be tested over a long period of time to ensure that there are no human or environmental health risks. y in plant production. The earth’s population continues to get larger and an abundant food supply will be needed. Gm foods claim to do this in a number of different ways. Gm crops can be engineered to have a higher tolerance to herbicides. When crops are grown farmers usually have to spray weed killers and other herbicides to let the crop grow healthily. If the crops are engineered to be resistant to one extremely powerful herbicide then many herbicides would not be needed. This could prove helpful to the environment. Another advantage of GM food could be pest resistance. Farmers can lose an unbelievable amount of money if their crops ar
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Approximate Word count = 1312
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