What if there was a way to farm that spared the rain forests, cut down on toxins in our soil and waters, and provided healthier, more nutritious food? This sounds to like it is organic farming, right? However, in reality, this describes GMOs. According to Webmd.com, “up to 80% of processed foods in the U.S. have something that's been changed by man from the way it would grow on its own.” This happens at a very basic level, in the plant's genes. These plants are said to be genetically modified organisms, or GMO. In the late 20th century and early 21st century there was a massive transition from traditional crops to genetically modified crops. According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service, an estimated 61% of all corn and 89% of all soybeans planted in the United States in 2006 were …show more content…
Organic advocates want food that’s more nutritious and they are skeptical of the safety of any genetically modified products. In reality, however, these genetically modified foods are far more nutritious and save lives because of this. The scientists who work at GMO companies such as Monsanto are capable of creating strains of crops that contain nutrients that were typically in low levels or nonexistent in the food. For example, Monsanto’s scientists have developed a strain of soybeans that are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, a Swiss research team has come up with a strain of “golden rice” with very high amounts of beta-carotene. Many other crops, such as papaya and cassava can be made to withstand diseases. According to Kent Bradford, PhD, a distinguished professor of plant science and director of the Seed Biotechnology Center at University of California, Davis, “Naturally occurring molds (if we don’t prevent them by creating GM crops) present huge health hazards. Why reject a technology that has the potential to help so many people