Genetically Modified Foods - Is it worth the risks?
Genetically Modified Foods 3
By : marioRating :
They have enhanced taste and quality. For example, corns taste sweeter when the crop has been genetically modified (howstuffworks.com, 2003). Crops will also have reduced maturation time. This increased food supply can also supply food to the starving third world countries.
Not only will crops will be optimized, animals will be implemented with similar traits. They will have increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency. There will be a better yield of meat, eggs, and milk. “The ability of the transgenic salmon to produce small quantities of antifreeze was sufficiently encouraging to the scientists for the work to be expanded to include other commercially important traits. To the food production industry, rapid growth is probably one of the most interesting traits. Thus, the next endeavour was to produce rapidly growing salmon” (Aqua Bounty Farms Inc., 2003). Animal health will be improved as there will also be better diagnostic methods (Office of Science, 2003).
However there are also health risks when it comes to this technology. Genetic manipulation could enhance natural plant toxins by switching on a gene with toxic effects. People with allergies could be exposed to proteins they react to without knowing it. Foreign genes might alter the nutritional value of food in unpredictable ways which could mean bad nutrition.
“Supporters of GM food believe the technology could offer cheaper, safer and more nutritious food. However, opponents argue that there are still many unknowns, despite the absence of problems so far. The refusal of the Zambian government to accept genetically modified maize as food aid is just the latest incident to bring attention to GM foods” (AgBiotechNet, 2003). There is a very big risk of mix breeding of native plants, which can harm the eco system around the globe. Africa, which is mostly in drought being able to grow food without the usual amount of water, is a tremendous gain and has more positives then negative affects. Although scientists have a fear of mix breeding of plants it has not yet taken place. As much as the scientists have predicted that it will happen there has not yet been an outbreak of supper weeds taken over the eco system. So the fruit and vegetables will benefit the people more then harm them and their eco system.
The biggest issue dealing with genetically modified foods is the labeling of these products. The lack of labeling causes controversy, as some consumers want to know what they are eating.
Genetically modified food is still a developing technology that needs to be thoroughly tested to ensure the safety to our health as well as mother earth. The advantages of this technology can help solve many problems with farmers as well as health issues through the ties with medicine. Crops and animals now have better yields as well been optimized to their full potential. The risks involved are the same involved with regular crops cross-breeding, and there has been no scientific evidence to back up these concerns. The other concern with labeling is one that is easily fixed. The food is safe as it all is FDA approved before it is being available to the public. Genetically modified food has been around for thousands years beginning with cross-breeding. It is not a new process but just an advanced method of achieving the same results with better efficiency.
Not only will crops will be optimized, animals will be implemented with similar traits. They will have increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency. There will be a better yield of meat, eggs, and milk. “The ability of the transgenic salmon to produce small quantities of antifreeze was sufficiently encouraging to the scientists for the work to be expanded to include other commercially important traits. To the food production industry, rapid growth is probably one of the most interesting traits. Thus, the next endeavour was to produce rapidly growing salmon” (Aqua Bounty Farms Inc., 2003). Animal health will be improved as there will also be better diagnostic methods (Office of Science, 2003).
However there are also health risks when it comes to this technology. Genetic manipulation could enhance natural plant toxins by switching on a gene with toxic effects. People with allergies could be exposed to proteins they react to without knowing it. Foreign genes might alter the nutritional value of food in unpredictable ways which could mean bad nutrition.
“Supporters of GM food believe the technology could offer cheaper, safer and more nutritious food. However, opponents argue that there are still many unknowns, despite the absence of problems so far. The refusal of the Zambian government to accept genetically modified maize as food aid is just the latest incident to bring attention to GM foods” (AgBiotechNet, 2003). There is a very big risk of mix breeding of native plants, which can harm the eco system around the globe. Africa, which is mostly in drought being able to grow food without the usual amount of water, is a tremendous gain and has more positives then negative affects. Although scientists have a fear of mix breeding of plants it has not yet taken place. As much as the scientists have predicted that it will happen there has not yet been an outbreak of supper weeds taken over the eco system. So the fruit and vegetables will benefit the people more then harm them and their eco system.
The biggest issue dealing with genetically modified foods is the labeling of these products. The lack of labeling causes controversy, as some consumers want to know what they are eating.
Genetically modified food is still a developing technology that needs to be thoroughly tested to ensure the safety to our health as well as mother earth. The advantages of this technology can help solve many problems with farmers as well as health issues through the ties with medicine. Crops and animals now have better yields as well been optimized to their full potential. The risks involved are the same involved with regular crops cross-breeding, and there has been no scientific evidence to back up these concerns. The other concern with labeling is one that is easily fixed. The food is safe as it all is FDA approved before it is being available to the public. Genetically modified food has been around for thousands years beginning with cross-breeding. It is not a new process but just an advanced method of achieving the same results with better efficiency.
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