Genetically modified foods paper
Genetically Modified Organism’s are one of the most important issues from around the world. Genetically Modified Organism’s are special organisms in which the genetic material has been altered for improvement of productivity and product quality. Having food is very important in order for the human life to maintain good health and to survive. Genetically modified foods have spread out rapidly to the whole world. Genetically Modified Organism’s are harmful to our health. Transgenic crops lead to serious destruction of the environment and have contaminated organic crops. Major companies intend to monopolize market-foods. In order to prevent eating genetically modified foods without knowing it, genetically modified foods should be labeled and people should recognize how dangerous genetically Modified Organism’s are for us.
Genetically Modified Organism’s are an injected gene from another species, unlike organic foods which have been eaten for human history. Despite the dangerousness, the foods have still been on our table without verification. Proving safety is beyond the capabilities of current technology. Supporters of genetic engineering argue that the application of biotechnology to improve the nutritional contents of various foods will help people who suffer many deficiency diseases. Also, they claim that genetically modified foods can yields medical benefit by injecting a particular genes or vaccine. However, Genetically Modified Organism’s are only a temporary measure, not the fundamental solution for nutritional improvement of foods and medical benefits. Their own disadvantages far outweigh their own advantages.
A study by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAME) advised precaution because genetically modified foods have not been tested for human consumption and because there is significant evidence of probable harm (AAME, 2009). The harmful effects that have risen up to now are that Genetically Modified Organism’s can cause food allergy reactions, indirect and non-traceable effects on cancer rate, unknown effects on human health and malfunction immune system. Several studies bear testimony to the dangerousness. For instance, according to the study conducted by Dr. Árpád Pusztai at the Rowett Research Institute in 1998, the result of his research showed feeding genetically modified potatoes to rat led them to malfunction of immune systems (Arpad, 1998). The other research published in New Scientist at Purdue University, the research showed that releasing a transgenic fish to the wild could damage native population even to the point of extinction (Chris, 2000). Therefore, it is evident that GM foods are harmful to our health.
Advocates of GMO assert that transgenic crops possessed harmful insect resistance and herbicide resistance helps to reduce the environmental contamination. However, the resistance genes injected to the crops could easily spread to the ecological system. Consequently, the change has resulted in being caught in a vicious circle due to the birth of super weeds and super insect by spreading the genes to them. Also, the emergence of a mutation by biotechnology has altered the ecology and gives rises to destruction natural restoration. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides. They said that GMO crops often have posed serious risks to the ecology in 2000 because the crops which contained ‘plant incorporated pesticides’ (Bt toxin) killed useful insects and produced the toxin by the plant as it grows. Also, the EPA evaluates risks to human health, non-target organisms, and the environment by pesticides. Even worse, it is impossible to abolish genetically modified crops like it is impossible to dispose of nuclear waste from a nuclear generator. Restoration ecology plays an important role in organic farming. Genetically modified crops have a disastrous effect on organic farming, especially in light of the most important parts of organic crops is keeping its cleanness and lacking of pollution. However, seeds of genetically modified plants are carried by wind and contaminate the natural plants. According to a research study conducted in Hokkaido, Japan, it cannot prevent GMO Cross-contamination to set up buffer zones between GMO farming and organic farming. GMO pollution caused by pollen drift is spreading in genetically modified crops cultivation areas such as the USA and in Canada. Genetically modified contamination will occur once genetically modified crops are cultivated. Therefore, the co-existence between genetically modified farming and conventional farming or organic farming is very difficult (Keisuke, 2008). Another example is BBC News reported the result of a study conducted by the UK-based National Pollen Research in 1999. The result showed that airborne genetically modified pollen can be carried hundreds of kilometers in 24 hours, and the pollen was found 4.5 km from a field of genetically modified oilseed rape in Oxford shire. Genetic pollution will destroy organic farming industry which care and love pesticide-free, GMO-free vegetables for citizens.
Genetically modified crops are being forced on the whole world by biotechnology multi-nationals seeking monopolies for their products. After Green Revolution, agriculture in many countries reorganized their own farming industry to increase productivity and tried to change to be the mechanization of agriculture and depended gradually on the petrochemical industry. It is a true agricultural output has risen, but agriculture is subjugated to Multi-nationals rule forever. By having a lot of output, consumers and farmers get a profit, but companies such as Monsanto, Novartis and Aventis get a lot of profits. Their rules of food have been far more serious. In Monsanto case, the company developed herbicide Round up, Roundup Ready Soybeans which only work on Round up and have made unreasonable profits by them. So, when farmers buy their products, they should buy both of them. Moreover, Roundup Ready Soybeans use 2-5 times more herbicides than non- genetically modified plants. This way, multi-naturals have encroached on the whole world food markets. When all food in the world becomes genetically modified foods or their products, we could not imagine what will happen to human from a point of view of the food problem. People who advocate genetically modified crops and some people affirm that it is an obvious fact to be guaranteed to solve the food problem because of improvement productivity. However, the fact is definitely not true. There is no relationship between the prevalence of hunger in a given country and its population (Lappe, 1998). The real reason of hunger and famine is the public are poverty, unequal division and limited foods in developing countries. The food problem is not about how yields increase, it is related to the fair distribution of food.
To prevent GMO, it should be labeled and people should be recognized how dangerous GMO for us. Sharply and accuracy awareness is required to the people to recognized genetically modified foods dangerousness to health, genetically modified crops of damage to the natural environment, a hidden agenda in multi-naturals. In Western Europe and Japan, diffusion of Genetically Modified Organism’s has been less than 2% because of their own disadvantages and the general public avoids the foods. However, In USA, GMO rate is in serious condition. Most of major crops came from GMO; it is more than 50%. Also, all genetically modified food must be labeled for protection nationals against potential risks of eating the foods. Labeling is consistent with the right to know for consumers.
The best way is to give the consumer a choice to buy genetically modified foods. It is consistent with the right to choose for consumers. Then, the fact that is genetically modified foods’ disadvantages will be known to the people, they will not buy the foods. This strategy will prevent monopoles of major companies and proliferation genetically modified crops. To do that, People should hold the right perception about genetically modified crops and the companies, and genetically modified foods should be labeled to be noticed by consumers.
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