Essay about Genetically Engineered Food Crops Benefits...

Genetically Engineered Food Crops: Benefits Outweigh Risks Genetically engineered (GE) food crops have caused heated debate in the food industry for many decades and have caused many consumers major concern. According to Dr. Carroll Rawn, a biology professor at Seton Hall University, genetically engineering food entails taking genes from a certain crop and inserting those genes in the DNA of another. This process changes the nucleotide sequence of the crop and, therefore, its characteristics. The debate lies in the question of whether these changes are beneficial for the productivity and quality of the harvest. Jeremy Rifkin argues in his article, â€Å"Science and Technology: O Brave New World,† that GE foods are not beneficial†¦show more content†¦For this reason, some consumers feel that genetically altering food is a beneficial step in increasing their safety. In a personal interview, Dr. Rawn further explains the advantages of genetically engineering foods: In order that crops are not damaged by insects feeding on them, by worms in the soil feeding on them [†¦ we can] genetically alter the plants so that they are more resistant to the bugs. [To do this] the plants will produce a chemical inside themselves that the bugs don’t like. The chemical that the plants make don’t bother me when I consume it; the bugs don’t like it, but its okay with me. Now I’ve solved the problem, and I don’t have to use any pesticides. And all I have done is to modify the plant so that it makes its own protection. So, it is obvious that Dr. Rawn is saying genetically modified foods are healthier because less pesticide is needed to prevent bugs and herbicides from damaging the crops. The reason for this, as introduced by Dr. Rawn, is that certain genes are placed into the DNA of a food crop to help it develop its own defense system against these pests. If a crop acquires the ability to defend itself against destructive agents, then, the need for harmful chemicals is eliminated. Furthermore, Dr. Rawn is in fact correct in his belief that GE cropsShow MoreRelatedGenetically Engineered Plants are the Future 633 Words   |  3 Pagescurrently suffering from undernourishment (FAO, 2012). What if there was a way to remedy this without the unnecessary deaths of masses of people? In the society we now live in, there is. Genetically Engineered Plants are more nutritious, less fatty, and contain fewer pesticides than naturally grown plants. Genetically Engineered Plants are the future of mankind and we, as society, should be advocating for the move towards making them the staple for everyone from proletariat to the bourgeoisie. EveryRead MoreEssay about Genetic Engineering: A Major Advancement for Mankind959 Words   |  4 Pagesits goal. Many people say that this method of life will go against the natural force of nature, but Genetic Engineering should be allowed because of the advances of technology it brings, it could help third-world countries access cheap and nutritious food and it will create cures for diseases currently incurable. Some believe that Genetic Engineering will not permitted because it can release new organisms into the natural would, be in places that was not intended, leading to unintentional consequencesRead MoreGenetic Engineering Of Food Is Good For The Welfare Of Humanity1135 Words   |  5 PagesGenetic engineering of food is one of the most controversial issues facing the universe today. Genetic engineering or modification of food is the artificial modification of the genetic constituents of plants and animals that produce food (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015b). 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A good example of this was the influence of a genetically engineeredRead MoreGenetically Foods : Genetically Modified Foods1239 Words   |  5 PagesGenetically Modified Foods â€Å"70 percent of our corn farmland and 93 percent of soy farmland are planted with crops genetically engineered to resist pests and herbicides and increase crop yields. 60% of all the processed foods in the United States are genetically modified; a shocking statistic has the concern of many Americans. However, most people are uninformed about the beneficial impact that genetically modified food has on their diet. GM is the use of molecular biology technology to modify theRead MoreArguments Of Proponents And Opponents Of The Safe And Accurate Food Labeling Act1744 Words   |  7 PagesAccurate Food Labeling Act. This paper will now analyze each issue to determine the strengths and weakness of each side’s argument. One argument that proponents make about genetically modified food is that they are no different than natural foods. An argument that opponents make is that genetically modified organisms have not been tested enough because they are fairly new and some scientist t ruly don’t have an understanding of how it will affect humans bodies differently than natural foods. ProponentsRead MoreGenetically Modified Foods For The Health Of The General Public And The Environment1062 Words   |  5 Pagesgrocery store and food stand in the U.S. Packed full of full flavor and nutrition, granny smith apples hold another hidden secret in its sweet and sour flesh..it’s genetically engineered. Tangelos, nectarines, and plums are also among the foods that have been genetically engineered (ISAAA). Although GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and GM foods have been deemed safe for the environment and human consumption, there is an ongoing debate regarding the safety of genetically modified foods. Some peopleRead MoreGenetically Engineered Crops Essay1374 Words   |  6 Pages Many of our crops today are what you would call genetically engineered. This means that certain plants are taken to a lab where specific genes are genetically enhanced with de sired traits such as resistance to herbicides, insecticides, drought, and even improved nutritional content. While that may sound like a win for everyone such as the farmers as well as the consumers, there are many disadvantages that not only affect our health, but our environment as well as the economy. With several facts