Friday, March 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms
It is true, genetically modifying foods can produce a crop that requires less pesticide and produces a higher crop yield. However, there are many dangers that are overlooked when considering GMO's potential benefits. For example, many farmers are willing to start growing genetically modified crops for a natural pest, disease, and weed resistance. What they do no account for is the high possibility for pests and weeds to develop a resistence to the crop's "natural" protection over time. After a certain amount of exposure to the GM crop, weeds and pests can pick up a trace of the modified gene, making them immune to the crop's protection, and ultimately ruining the crop.
An even bigger concern with GMOs is the fact that there is no long term research on their effects on people and the environment. Several recent studies have been conducted, producing some frightening results. Wild ladybugs were tested in Scotland, and they were found to have laid fewer eggs and have half the life-span they used to, only after eating something else that consumed GMOs. This means that the effects of GMOs are traveling through the food chain, altering the lives of those who come incontact with them both directly and indirectly. Another recent study of GMOs was conducted on rats in Russia. A group of rats was fed GM corn, while another group of rats was fed organic corn. After both groups produced offspring, the offspring were compared. 55.6% of the offspring of the GM corn rats died shortly after birth, where only 9% of the organic corn rats died shortly after birth. You can also see from the picture below how the offspring of the GM corn rats suffered from stunted growth, compared to the other offspring.
Would you ever eat genetically modified foods? If you live in America, you already have. In fact, you've been eating them for the past six years. You didn't know? That's because no one told you. In America, the FDA does not require that companies using genetically modified foods state so on the label. Almost all of our food containing any trace of corn, soy, cottonseed, or canola contains GMOs. This is extremely unfair to comsumers, as well as unsafe. For example, if someone has a severe peanut allergy, and a peanut gene is used to grow bigger grapes, that person could have a severe allergic reaction after eating those grapes, because the companny was not required to state that they were genetically engineered. If GMOs are so "beneficial", then why does it seems like companies have something to hide when they use them? Perhaps they fear that if you really knew what was in your food, you would not purchase their product. If they stated they used a gene from a frog to grow greener apples, would you want to eat those apples?
I don't know who would.
One of the scariest things about GMOs is that they already exist. They are being grown all over our country and all over the world, but no matter what scientists and farmers say, GM crops can never be grown in complete isolation. All parts of the Earth's enviroment interact, it is just a matter of how quickly or slowly they interact. Once the crop is in existence, it has extreme potential to escape into the environment. A gust of wind or a tiny bee could be enough for cross polination of the engineered crop. If a GMO escapes into the wild, there is no way to track it and no way to stop it. Since a GMO is generally designed to be stronger than its organic counterpart, it can completely wipe out the organic organism in the wild. At the rate genetic engineering is going, it won't be long before every plant in the wild contains a genetic alteration, and the term "organic" simply disappears.
An even bigger concern with GMOs is the fact that there is no long term research on their effects on people and the environment. Several recent studies have been conducted, producing some frightening results. Wild ladybugs were tested in Scotland, and they were found to have laid fewer eggs and have half the life-span they used to, only after eating something else that consumed GMOs. This means that the effects of GMOs are traveling through the food chain, altering the lives of those who come incontact with them both directly and indirectly. Another recent study of GMOs was conducted on rats in Russia. A group of rats was fed GM corn, while another group of rats was fed organic corn. After both groups produced offspring, the offspring were compared. 55.6% of the offspring of the GM corn rats died shortly after birth, where only 9% of the organic corn rats died shortly after birth. You can also see from the picture below how the offspring of the GM corn rats suffered from stunted growth, compared to the other offspring.
Would you ever eat genetically modified foods? If you live in America, you already have. In fact, you've been eating them for the past six years. You didn't know? That's because no one told you. In America, the FDA does not require that companies using genetically modified foods state so on the label. Almost all of our food containing any trace of corn, soy, cottonseed, or canola contains GMOs. This is extremely unfair to comsumers, as well as unsafe. For example, if someone has a severe peanut allergy, and a peanut gene is used to grow bigger grapes, that person could have a severe allergic reaction after eating those grapes, because the companny was not required to state that they were genetically engineered. If GMOs are so "beneficial", then why does it seems like companies have something to hide when they use them? Perhaps they fear that if you really knew what was in your food, you would not purchase their product. If they stated they used a gene from a frog to grow greener apples, would you want to eat those apples?
I don't know who would.
One of the scariest things about GMOs is that they already exist. They are being grown all over our country and all over the world, but no matter what scientists and farmers say, GM crops can never be grown in complete isolation. All parts of the Earth's enviroment interact, it is just a matter of how quickly or slowly they interact. Once the crop is in existence, it has extreme potential to escape into the environment. A gust of wind or a tiny bee could be enough for cross polination of the engineered crop. If a GMO escapes into the wild, there is no way to track it and no way to stop it. Since a GMO is generally designed to be stronger than its organic counterpart, it can completely wipe out the organic organism in the wild. At the rate genetic engineering is going, it won't be long before every plant in the wild contains a genetic alteration, and the term "organic" simply disappears.
Benefits of GM Foods...
There are many benefits to using genetically modified foods. The picture above depicts the difference between natural food and modified food in the top right. Clearly the modified food is larger in size and more healthy looking, while the natural food is smaller and less desirable. This is the main reason why genetic modification of food is beneficial and quickly becoming a necessity.
Generally, genetically modified foods are more tasty and of better quality. Natural foods are more susceptible to disease and contamination, while genetic engineering can prevent both occurrences--a great advantage. This ensures that food can be produced at maximum yield, unlike with natural food.
Also, genetic engineering can increase a product's nutrients and vitamins, or anything else deemed beneficial. Stress tolerance is also increased, allowing for better durability. Thus, our foods can be healthier for us and last longer. New products and growing techniques allow for better experimentation with adding vitamins and nutrients.
For animals, genetic engineering of food ensures that animals receive the best possible food, so as to produce the best possible product. It is also possible to genetically modify them so that they are more resistant to disease. In effect, genetic modification can lead to better production of meat, eggs, and milk, three things that are indispensable to society.
In regards to the environment, genetic modification t produce better yields ensures that land does not go to waste. Less maintenance allows for better conservation of soil, water, and energy, as well. Overall, genetically modifying foods allows for better processing and production. This in turn advances society in that there is more and better food available for the worlds growing population. Thus, genetically modifying food is greatly beneficial to society, the environment, and to animals.
Growth of GM Food Use...
Genetically modified food production increased to 100 million acres from around 7 million acres between 1996 and 1999. Most of this increase occurred in the United States.
Production of genetically modified soybeans, cotton, and corn has increased in the United States fairly steadily since 1996, by at least 45% for all products.What are Genetically Modified Foods?
What are genetically modified foods? Genetically modified foods are foods that are not completely natural, having been altered in some way to boost certain characteristics, such as vitamins or size. In the past, rice, flour, corn, soybean, cotton seed oil, tomatoes, and many other products have gone through this process. Animals too, have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering to provide an amplified version of a product. For instance, pigs have been genetically altered to better produce omega-3 fatty acids. Scientists have been able to modify the DNA of pigs so that absorb plant phosphorus better and thus decrease the phosphorus in their manure by 60%. Some people believe that genetically modifying food should not be allowed, as it concerns issues of safety and may alter the ecology of the thing being modified, and can drastically change an ecosystem. Also controversy has arisen by the question of whether the animals being modified are subject to intellectual property law or not. Others are in favor of genetically modified foods, saying that it can solve our world hunger problems by providing food for the world’s ever-growing population. Currently, the United States is the largest producer and consumer of genetically modified foods. Recently however, China has been turning more and more towards it, namely because of their lack of adequate rice production for their very large population. Regardless of what genetically modified foods are, there are benefits and disadvantages, and this blog will provide both views on the topic.
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