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Introduction
According to Ammannati (2012) Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms whose genetic composition has been altered in order to suit some conditions. The undertaking is done through extensive research on specific organisms such as bacteria, insects, fish, plants as well as animals. The Genome of these organisms is altered to achieve production and or pharmaceutical goals. Although the field has had some criticisms over the years since its inception, it has proved to be very helpful in the production of food materials, experimental medicine and gene therapy, development of hybrid agricultural products such as hybrid planting seeds and herbicides.
Mechanism of Creating GMOs.
The basis of creating these products lies on the fact that most living organisms are prone to pathogenic attacks. Scientists therefore design products which are immune to the attacks and which are resistant to unfavorable climatic conditions. The procedure long involves much scientific research. There is a wide range of organisms that scientists have subjected to genetic engineering. The two main methods employed in genetic engineering are Recombinant DNA Technology as well as Reproductive Cloning. The first case involves the scientist combining genetic materials from different organisms. This is based on the fact that DNA molecules from all organisms be it plant or animals have similar chemical composition. The resulting DNA sequence from recombinant DNA technology can be planted into any organisms with no biological implications apart from the intended use. The procedure utilizes a Cloning Vector obtained from Plasmids. These provide room for insertion of foreign DNA into the chosen DNA segment. Gibson Assembly is the most popular method used in the combination of the DNA segments. The resulting DNA is not necessarily expressed in the host organism but is replicated in the organism. The second scenario is that the DNA can be Transcribed and Translated simultaneously, therefore, leading to expression of the foreign DNA since translation triggers production of the Recombinant protein. Organisms possessing a recombinant gene will therefore exhibit normal phenotypic characteristics. The method is used by scientists to study the behavior and function of certain genes. A major application of this field of genetic engineering include Biotechnology, Medicine such as the production of Insulin (Delpeuch, 2009).The major application, however, is scientific research.
The second genetic engineering method, Reproductive cloning, involves the production of a genetic duplicate of a chosen living organism. It utilizes a technique called Somatic Cell Nucleus transfer. Nuclei obtained from these cells is cultured in a conducive medium to develop into an embryo that can be planted into a living organism’s uterus to develop into a replica of the organism. The other alternative is to put the resultant Clonal Embryo into a life-supporting machine where the development of the embryo is carefully monitored. The range of the organism that have been subjected to the kind of research include plants such as tomatoes, animals as the case of the popular Billy goat. The field has extended in the recent years to touch on human beings. This has produced many controversies on the ethical issues surrounding interfering with the genetic composition of human beings.
Surprisingly, Genetically Modified foods are very common today in retail shops as well as supermarkets. The safety precautions surrounding the consumption of such foods, however, lies on the consumer. Among the many products sold with genetically engineered contents include: whole grain cereals, Ketchup that contains Lycopene to act as an oxidant, Omega 3s in eggs, Soy, Food sweeteners, Canola oil, spreads as well as Sauces. Other GM products sold in supermarkets include groceries such as greens, Tomatoes and fruits. The fact that GMO foods are obtained from genetically modified plants rather than the normal plants makes the consumption of the latter be surrounded by multiple controversies ranging from ethical issues to health issues (Delpeuch, 9). Many consumers are ignorant about the safety of the products they consume while an unfortunate bit of the population is not aware of any implication regarding the consumption of these products whatsoever. The fact that this technology has proven very resourceful in the food and medical fields cannot be used to overrule the numerous potential negative repercussions it has.
Research has shown the following major negative effects arising from consumption of GMOs. (Nelson, 21)
Food Allergies: Statistics shows that 5% of children and 2% of adults in the USA have some food related allergy. Allergies occur when a harmless protein enters the body and triggers the immune system to respond to it as if it is an antigen. GM foods contain recombinant proteins that are a potential cause of allergies.
Increase in Toxicity: Natural plants contain toxins low enough that they cannot have detrimental effects on the human body. Genetic engineering leads to insertion of a foreign gene in a pre-existing plant triggering the plant to produce toxins that have adverse health effects.
Reduced Nutritional Value: Insertion of genes in plants leads to variation of the plant content, in a way, that the resulting plant has minerals that are indigestible or cannot be absorbed in the human digestive system. The effects are that consumption of GM foods might not necessarily produce the desired nutritional level.
Resistance to Antibiotics: Genetic modification uses genes that are resistant to certain pathogens such as viruses as well as bacteria. When these are ingested in the body the effect is the same or less in that the body develops resistance to antibiotics that are used as curative medicines against the wide range of bacterial diseases.

Works Cited

Ammannati, L. (2012). Networks: in search of a model for European and global regulation. Torino: G. Giappichelli.
Delpeuch, F. (2009). Globose: a planet out of control? London: Earth scan.
Nelson, G. C. (2001). Genetically modified organisms in agriculture economics and politics. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press.