GMO foods (also genetically engineered food) are genetically modified foods produced from organism whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified during the process of genetic engineering. The aim of that process is to give original organism special feature, such as increased resistance to diseases. Although genetically modified food can have some beneficial effects on human health, it may also be seriously dangerous. Here are some pros and cons of GM foods.
PROS:
GMO food is considered to be highly profitable especially among governments and agribusiness. In their opinion genetically engineered foods increase food supply, prevent famines and significantly support farmers. They also claim that GMO foods are better food quality and taste. Moreover, thanks to crop disease resistance, plants are not only larger but also generate revenue. GMOs are beneficial to farmers, cause they do not have to use herbicides and pesticides, their crops are already resistant to diseases.
What’s more, according to The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations some of GMO’s are more nutritious in a process of genetic engineering and may contain vitamins and minerals.
And finally, genetically modified foods can contribute towards greenhouse gas, soil erosion and environmental pollution, which result in health and beauty of the environment.
CONS:
The biggest drawback of GMO foods may be not enough number of long term testing and insufficient knowledge of possible side effects.
Another reason for concern are allergic reactions. According to Brown University, GMO foods are likely to cause allergies to people.
Furthermore, the process of genetic engineering is considered to be very dangerous and unpredictable. If herbicide resistant genes get into wild weeds population, a newly created super weed can be resistant to destruction with herbicides.
And last but not least, some GMO foods contain antibiotic features preventing from various diseases and viruses. When genetically modified food is eaten by human being, the features of GMO antibiotic remain in our body and actual antibiotic treatment appears ineffective.
References:
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-957532
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7745726.stm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/213053-pros-cons-of-gmo-foods/
PROS:
GMO food is considered to be highly profitable especially among governments and agribusiness. In their opinion genetically engineered foods increase food supply, prevent famines and significantly support farmers. They also claim that GMO foods are better food quality and taste. Moreover, thanks to crop disease resistance, plants are not only larger but also generate revenue. GMOs are beneficial to farmers, cause they do not have to use herbicides and pesticides, their crops are already resistant to diseases.
What’s more, according to The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations some of GMO’s are more nutritious in a process of genetic engineering and may contain vitamins and minerals.
And finally, genetically modified foods can contribute towards greenhouse gas, soil erosion and environmental pollution, which result in health and beauty of the environment.
CONS:
The biggest drawback of GMO foods may be not enough number of long term testing and insufficient knowledge of possible side effects.
Another reason for concern are allergic reactions. According to Brown University, GMO foods are likely to cause allergies to people.
Furthermore, the process of genetic engineering is considered to be very dangerous and unpredictable. If herbicide resistant genes get into wild weeds population, a newly created super weed can be resistant to destruction with herbicides.
And last but not least, some GMO foods contain antibiotic features preventing from various diseases and viruses. When genetically modified food is eaten by human being, the features of GMO antibiotic remain in our body and actual antibiotic treatment appears ineffective.
References:
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-957532
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7745726.stm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/213053-pros-cons-of-gmo-foods/
Comments
Part of the population remains skeptical about genetically modified food, while representatives of science and experts in this field are its supporters. In its opinions they emphasize that food has many positive aspects. Genetically modified food brings undeniable benefits to both the economic, environmental and biotechnological.
People are reluctant because they do not fully understand what is meant by GMO. They do not know how food is produced, or what are the consequences. Nowadays we can read on the label whether a product is genetically modified or not, and it depends on the customer which he will choose.
I'm not an expert on GMO foods but I assume that almost everything we eat now is partly a GMO food? I know that in United States more than 90% of crops (or at least corn) are GMOs. Even organic farmers have to somehow fight against insects so they won't lose their crops. The farmers use strong pesticides and I somehow feel that they can be more harmful. But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway regarding world hunger GMO food might be a good solution. People in III world countries could surely benefit from having more food.
Here is a video with some facts about GMOs but I'm pretty sure there are videos that say completely opposite stuff ;) :
Link
Everything we eat is modified, and it scares me a lot. I wonder how long can humans live like that, and what would be consequences of our interference in nature...
Of course it's can be great for global problems with hunger, that would be awesome but we must remember that we don't fully know what happened with food when it has been modified.
It's obvious that GMOs may have some side effects like allergies, but it doesn't mean they're the root of all world problems.
http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/kfc.asp
Of course, all GMO products before placing on the market must be tested and healthy for people. Let's hope no one falsifies tests for their own benefit.
Usually GMO foods (especially fruits and vegetables) have very nice shiny perfect look and you will never find any little worm ( because they only may appear in the natural products) inside of the apple, for instance. However, when you have your own garden and do not use any GMO crops or something like that, your fruits may look not that attractive, but they would pretty attractive for different insects, who would not even touch unnatural/unhealthy stuff. That is why not always the perfect look outside can be that good inside.
Nonetheless,unfortunately it is extremely difficult to avoid genetically modified foods these days.
When you realise that most of the food you eat evolved and their genes got modified it’s easier to look at GMO food modified in labs.
I’m actually big fan of GMO, I believe that if it will be supported by governments it will help feed people, even in African poor countries.
And I don't think I would agree that we don't know how it could affect us because as I just said we've been doing it for a long time, only using different tools. Of course, sometimes something might not go as expected, but come on, an accident gave us penicillin.
Instead of panicking we should just focus on educating ourselves on that subject.
As for feer of GMO causing sicness and alergies, those side effects were never proven. Genetically Modified Organisms seem like a more convinient scape goat than smog caused by industry sectors.
Basically everything we eat nowdays is modified in some way, including bread beer or wine (in some countries yeast is subject to genetical modification).
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