Genetically Modified Foods: a Growing Concern Essay

Living in America, we sometimes for suck what a huge problem malnutrition and starving are in other parts of the valets. Its estimated that over 852 million heap in the piece are severely sustenance deprived. Now, imagine a world where no one goes hungry, a farmers crop clear survive a long drought or an early freezing and even so produce a large harvest, and harmful insects and weeds cannot survive in the same scene of playaction as a crop. Imagine a world where malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies are a thing of the past, be get down the food we use up is so much more nutritious. or so scientists believe that, through youthful technology, this world could be a reality in our lifetime. Im talking about catching ally circumscribed foods, or GM foods for short. People hand been genetically altering foods for hundreds of years, but due to recent technological advancements, the potential of these foods shake off changed drastically. M any(prenominal) scientists belie ve that genetically modifying foods could help end world hunger while others say that it could resolving in human and environmental catastrophe.Although there are umpteen potential risks there are in any case many potential benefits. Like the old saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Like nigh all new technologies, genetically modified food technology needs to be closely monitored and evaluated as it progresses. Ultimately, genetically modified food technology has too much potential to be completely halted. So just what exactly is genetically modified food? In short, genetically modified foods are organisms that bring on had their DNA unreally changed to give them a new characteristic.Normally, these modifications are made to produce plants that are skanky to herbicides and pesticides, produce more food, have more nutrients, grow faster, or survive in harsher climates than usual. However, there have also been more unusual experiments done. According to Am erican Scientist Magazine, a gene from a jellyfish has been spliced into plants to collect them emit light. In another case the Monsanto Corporation (the largest genetically modified food company in the world) is developing grass seed that will produce different colored lawns.These altered organisms are usually called genetically engineered, genetically modified, transgenic, or Franken-foods. Genetically engineered foods first-year went on the market in 1994. The product was a tomato engineered by a company called Calgene. The species of the tomato was called the FlavrSavr. Ironically, it was considered to have a mediocre flavor and neer sold well. The FlavrSavr was a commercial sorrow and was off the market by 1997. Despite the early failure of the FlavrSavr, GM foods have flourished in the last ten years. Odds are youve eaten many genetically modified foods and not even known it.Currently, The Grocery Manufacturers of America estimate that 75% of sueed foods in the U. S. ha ve at least one genetically modified ingredient. Although, genetically engineered foods have only been in turnout for the last 15 years, public have been altering the DNA of plants for ages. For centuries, people have been using artificial selection to cross-breed plants. For example, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage have all derived from the same species of mustard. However, the process of artificial selection is really difficult and time consuming. Artificial selection is also limited to only plants of similar species.Fortunately, recent advancements in technology have made it possible to move DNA from one species to another regardless of their differences. The process behind GM foods is very difficult and complex, so this is a very simplified explanation of how it works. in that location are two main methods of genetically modifying foods. The first method uses bacteria to modify the DNA. head start, the scientist uses enzymes to cut the sought after gene out of the DNA. The gene is then coupled by a promoter and a terminator, these act as signposts to show the beginning and the end of the desire gene. Next, the gene is inserted into section of DNA called a plasmid DNA.The plasmid is then inserted into bacteria. Finally, the bacteria are utilise to infect the plant cells, where they transfer the gene into the plant cells chromosome. The second method is more advanced but also more expensive than the first method. Here, the desired gene is cut from the DNA then attached to a tiny particle of florid or tungsten. Next, the particles are shot into the plant cells using a particle gun or biolistic gun. Lastly, the desired gene falls off of the particle and attaches to the chromosome. After insertion is achieved, the cell is allowed to divide so it makes copies of itself.in one case the plants start to grow, they are tested to see if the gene was successfully transferred. Along with the original desired gene, a marker gene is also implanted in t he cell. This is used as an easily identifiable trait. This way, all the scientist needs to do is look for this trait and if it is there then they know the desired gene was transferred successfully too. Through those two methods, scientists have been able to do amazing things. The potential benefits of genetically modifying foods are incredible. First off, there are many obvious benefits for the farmer.Their crops will be better because of advantages like herbicide adjustment and insect resistance. Another thing is that GM crops are being altered to withstand harsher weather and collapse more food. Also, the farmer doesnt have to spray his field as much, cutting down on the amount of fuel he uses. Its estimated that GM foods have indirectly allowed farmers to cut back by 475 million gallons of fuel over the past nine years, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. in that respect are even more benefits for the consumer. Because of increased production, there is more food, whi ch in turn means cheaper food.Also, genetic engineering makes it possible for foods to taste better and be more nutritious. In fact, scientists at The University of Pittsburg School of medicinal drug recently engineered a pig that generates Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are substances that help forbid cardiovascular disease. If this is approved by the FDA we could soon have pork that is actually good for your heart. Another meeting of scientists have created what they call golden rice. This is rice that contains beta carotene and vitamin A. Many nations rely heavily on rice as their main food source and this will immensely help those people get the nutrients they need.Another crop has been created that ripens much slower after being picked, so it can be shipped long-life distances before rotting. Even with all of these benefits, genetically modified foods are still very controversial. Many people think GM foods are very dangerous and could result in human and environmental cata strophe. Some critics think that, much like bacteria that commence resistant to antibiotics, insects could become resistant to the pesticides used on GM crops, making them more difficult to deal with in the future.Also, new plants could produce new allergens and toxins that the human body is unfamiliar with. The majority of GM foods being produced are resistant to herbicides. Researchers believe that this will cause farmers to use more herbicides on their crops. In turn, this could result in pollution that could be harmful to humans and the environment. Another concern is that, through cross-pollination, weeds and other plants could pick up the modified gene and become resistant to the very chemicals that are used to kill them.Although there seems to be many concerns over genetically modifying foods, no study has been done that shows any major risk associated with GM foods. The genetically modified food business continues to steadily grow despite public ignorance and uncertainty. B etween 1996 and 2003 the amount of land being used to grow GM plants was increased by 40 times over. It is estimated that over 200 million body politic of farm land are now devoted to growing GM plants. In 2000, only leash countries made up for 98% of the global GM crop. America produces 68%, Argentina accounts for 23%, and Canada is creditworthy for 7%.Recently European governments and businesses have been pushing to boost their own GM food production. Nevertheless, harmonise to a recent survey by The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, Americans are still very uncomfortable with GM foods. The survey showed that the majority of Americans know little to nothing about genetically engineered plants and animals, but it also showed that American consumers do not support banning the new technology, but sort of want regulations put in place to ensure that the new products are safe.Regardless of how the public feels, we can expect to see more genetically modified foods in the fut ure and exponential growth in the biotechnology business. Some ideas that developers have already mentioned are bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases, fish that progress quicker, fruit and nut trees that mature quicker, and plants that produce new plastics that have unique properties. As soon as more long-term research is done we can expect to see an explosion of unique new GM products on the market.Ultimately, genetically modified plant technology has too much potential to be completely halted. Right now, most scientists agree that there is no proof that GM foods pose any threat to people or the environment. With proper evaluation and responsibility, genetically modified foods could help solve world hunger. That is a goal too great to be ignored because of possible threats. There are many potential risks associated with GM foods, but the potential benefits far outweigh them.Works Cited Black, Richard. Europe Urged to Embrace GM Foods. BBC News. 12 Sept. 2 004. 15 April 2006 . Chaudry, Arshad. Genetically modify Foods. BioTeach. 16 April. 2006 . Eat This. create verballyn & Teller Bullshit. Dir. Mark Wolper. Perf. Pen Jillette and Teller. 2003. DVD. Showtime Entertainment. 2004. Fagan Ph. D. , John B. Genetically Engineered Food- a Serious Health Risk. NetLink. 15 April 2006 . Flynn, Kara. Trade War over Biotech Food Now, Later, or Never. Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. 13 Feb. 2003. 16 Apr. 2006 Genetically Modified Food. Wikipedia. 16 Apr. 2006. 17 Apr. 2006 Lemonick, Michael D. Eat Pork, Prevent Heart Disease?. TIME Magazine. 27 Mar. 2006. Marvier, Michelle. Ecology of Transgenic Crops. American Scientist Magazine 89 (Mar. 2001) 160-167. Nash/Zurich, J. Madeleine. Grains of Hope. TIME Magazine. 31 July 2000. Rifkin, Jeremy. Biotech Century Playing Ecological Roulette with Mother personalitys Designs. The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A Lundsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. 4th ed. Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 200 4 287-97.