...Chelsi Modest Christina LaRose English 125-Sec. 6 31 October 2011 The Future of Food As the population continues to grow—expected to reach 9 billion by 2050—the major question is: Will we experience a food shortage? Scientists have developed what they believe is the answer to potential shortages: genetically modified crops. The genetic make-up of these crops is altered, combining genes of multiple organisms such as plants, to produce favorable outcomes such as higher yields. With genetically engineered crops ever-present in our food supply, debates have risen in the media concerning the safety and overall implication of these crops. Conducting research on the topic, I have discovered three different perspectives on the use and implications of genetically engineered crops. One perspective, found in the article “Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security” by Pamela Ronald, states that genetically modified crops are essential to combat the growing population and other stresses on our agriculture industry. Another perspective, offered in the article “Genetically modified abominations?” by Jakub Kwiecinski, defines these crops as “taboo” and argues that they are ultimately morally unacceptable. The last perspective, presented in the article “Genetically Modified Foods and Public Health Debate: Designing Programs to Mitigate Risks” published in Public Administration & Management, acknowledges that there are risks associated with these crops and that...
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...rapid increase a threat against food supply evolves, creating a need to be able to provide and sustain food supply. Whether or not the earth will be able to provide an adequate food supply needed to sustain the growing population is the question many began to ask. Theorist like Thomas Malthus spoke about the existing question. Malthus proposed that “the power of the population is indefinitely greater than the power of the earth to produce subsistence [….] the population would inevitably...
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...Essay on the topic of genetically modified food Do people nowadays want to know what they are ingesting and whether their food has been genetically modified? As with many societal contentious points, there is no simple and straightforward answer to this question. This essay tries to evaluate both sides of the argument and finally comes to the conclusion that it makes sense for our company to label our genetically modified food products accordingly on a voluntary basis. On one hand, there are the opponents of labelling GMO food who truly believe that because of the long history of genetical engineering in America this practice is not new to consumers and the awareness of some products being genetically modified is already anchored in society. Furthermore, they argue that labelling each and every product as genetically manipulated would not only be a very expensive procedure, but also adding immoderate confusion to consumers. Ultimately, they claim that the average American citizen is not taking a great interest in what ingredients exactly his/her food entails. On the other hand, people in favor of GMO labelling are of the opinion that every customer has the right to know what is inside the product that he/she is buying in grocery stores. Moreover, the proponents argue that even though not everybody might care about whether food has been genetically modified, the ultimate decision should be left with the customer and therefore a label on each GMO product is necessary...
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...Genetically Modified Animals Animals with special characteristics and traits have been cross breed through sexual reproduction for many years, but with the increasing of technology, scientists can now create animals directly from gene modification. Genetic modification is described as the science used to change the characteristics of an organism genetic component and manipulate the deoxyribonucleic acid structures using technology. “Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is nucleic acid that carries hereditary information about traits of an organism and carries the instructions for all the characteristics that organism inherits, it consist of two chain of nucleotides twisted into a double helix” (Starr, C., Evers, C. A., Starr, L. 2013). Genetically modified animals are made from embryonic stem cells carrying two copies of gene one from the male and the other from the female. Scientists cut and join DNA from different sources then transfer it into the organism so it has the modified genes and from that procedure, a new set of genes is created. Manipulating the DNA and transforming certain gene to create a new life is called recombinant DNA (rDNA) technique. Scientists use recombinant DNA technique to modify the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell which carries genetic instructions from one organism to another and to improve specific characteristics of an animal or to introduce a new trait that is resistant to diseases and may enhance the growth of animals. In addition, the changes introduced...
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...Essay Outline Question: Is it ethical for a company to produce genetically modified crops (or animals)? Introduction * Define GMO * Thesis Statement (Attention Getter- Personally against use of genetically modified crops not solely based on facts, but on personal morals) * Purpose of Research Paper (Why should we be playing god, creating and using such pesticides to kill off natures insects/animals, but still find it acceptable to put it into a human body) Ethical Issues (Ethical and Unethical) * Effects on human health- What researchers have found to do to the human body? * Effects on Environment- What has the population and researches witness it to do to soil and our environment? * Effects on animals/insects- What are genetically modified crops doing to animals and insects exposed to these genetically modified pesticides. Facts * Human Health * Allergies- number of people whose allergies have increased or worsen since the use of genetically modified crops. * Reduction in fertility- how many people have been affected? Studies? Percentages? * Cancer Causing- What cancers have been proven to exist from these genetically modified pesticides? * Environment * Toxicity levels are higher- Where? Numbers? * Hazards- What kind of hazards are they causing to the environment? Are they reversible or not? How can we treat the soil to protect it? * Animals/Insects * Pollinators- How does this affect nature’s...
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...Genetically Modified foods - Evils or Friends Genetically Modified Foods (or GM foods) are produced from organisms in which specific changes are introduced into their DNA through the methods of genetic engineering. Genetically Modified crops are available commercially since 1994. Majority of the gene modification of foods have primarily focused on cash crops which are in high demand such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. These crops have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and better nutrient profiles (Wikipedia). According to an article by author Robert Shields, more than 26 percent of the cotton, 40 percent of the soybean acreage in the US was planted with GM crops containing gene for herbicide resistance by the year 1998. The application of Agri-biotechnology has increased by 60 fold since 1996 and by 2015 it is predicted that in about 40 countries more than 200 million hectares of lands will be planted by biotech crops (Maghari 1). The invention of agricultural biotechnology has caused social and ethical contradictions. There are extensive debates active in scientific circles as to how modern biotechnology can be used for planting high quality of high yield crops to meet the challenge of feeding the ever increasing population while protecting the ecosystem and human health. Genetically Modified Foods (GM Foods) have made a big splatter in the news lately. Environmental organizations and public interest groups have been actively protesting...
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...A great deal of controversy has arisen over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Genetically Modified Food, especially surrounding the production, sale, and consumption of genetically modified foods. Many people are concerned that the consumption of GMO foods may pose serious health risks. The concern is centered around the notion that there could potentially be various different unforeseen consequences due to the consumption of GMO foods. Even though there is a large controversy over GMOs not many people know what and how dangerous GMO’s are. GMO’s are organisms produced from crops whose genetic makeup has been altered through a process called recombinant DNA, or gene splicing, to give the crop a desirable trait (Bren). Genetic engineering is also defined as the copying of a gene from one plant or animal and adding it to another plant or animal. Monsanto is one of the large producers of GMO seeds. Monsanto offers farmers a wide range of GMO corn, soybean, cotton, wheat, canola, sorghum and sugar cane seeds. Theses seeds have been genetically altered to produce a pesticide, yields more per seed, and withstand harsher weather conditions. Some of these plants are now, what is called, roundup ready (Monsanto). Roundup ready plants can be sprayed with roundup and not be effected by it. Due to the use of Roundup ready plants farmers are not having to be as careful when spraying these plants and more often then not they spray more roundup on them then needed. Roundup...
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...International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition Awareness of GM foods between Saudi Arabians and Irish people: A comparative study Name Institution Awareness of GM foods between Saudi Arabians and Irish people: A comparative study Abstract Aspects related to GMO food have raised controversial arguments with numerous researches being based on this issue. Awareness has been one of the crucial elements associated with GMO food use. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of awareness of GMO food in Saudi Arabia and Ireland. The study combined a descriptive and review research designs with both qualitative and quantitative elements. Descriptive data analysis was done. Moreover, a SurveyMonkey was also used. A survey was conducted using a 15-questined questionnaire in a sample of 200, 100 respondents from either of the countries. The study revealed that only 2% and 8% of the respondents had adequate knowledge in GMO food in Saudi Arabia and Ireland respectively. The study also revealed that 61% and 57% of the respondents consumed GMO food in Saudi Arabia and Ireland respectively. Moreover, it was discovered that the media played a crucial role in creating awareness of GMO food. Analysis of the results revealed that awareness of GMO food in Saudi Arabia and Ireland was low. The difference in the level of awareness in either of the countries was not significant. Moreover, media was shown to influence awareness of GMO food in both countries highly. Introduction Genetic...
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...Research for the Campus President: Genetically Modified Foods Vicky Warren National University Research for the Campus President: Genetically Modified Foods The President’s Student Advisory Council has been asked to make a recommendation regarding the sale of Genetically Modified (GM) foods on this campus. In order to determine if the university should continue to allow GM food sales on campus, the council has conducted research into both sides of this issue. We have come to a conclusion based on the evidence found that the school should continue to sell GM foods. Our recommendation is based on economic considerations, environmental impact, and most importantly, the health and safety of the students and faculty at this university. While great debate surrounds these issues, we will present the unbiased findings that support this recommendation while addressing the concerns of the opposing views. Upon conducting research on the GM food debate, the council found that many claims regarding the production and sale of GM foods were ideological in nature. Ideological reasoning is based on assumptions linked to core beliefs an values (Facione & Gittens, 2013). Ideological opponents of GM foods assert that changing the genetic makeup of plants and animals is unnatural, and therefore wrong. Humans are not intended to mess with nature. However, others may claim that humans are intended to use their powers of reason to solve problems and improve their lives and the lives...
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...Table of Content 1. Introduction 2 2. GMO OMG: A Fathers Quest 4 3. GM Food ? Cultivating Fear: Expert position 9 4. Conclusion 14 Bibliography 15 1. Introduction Food is a huge part of our daily routine - most people eat at least three meals a day and think about what they are going to eat the rest of the day. The saying - We are what we eat; transforms genetically modified food into an unknown threat to our health in the case of GM food. The result is that when our source of nutrition is modified - controversies arise. This becomes apparent when investigating the GM-food debate; a controversial issue that has attracted attention in both media and public opinion.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Genetically Modified, because of rapid developments within the biotechnology-industry such as the CRIPSR-Cas9 system, GMOs are making major scientific advancements. ] One way of obtaining information about GM-food is by watching documentaries. They are presumed to be unbiased and truthful, a reliable source of information on the subject. However, the content of a documentary is generally chosen in order to make the message it wants to convey most convincing. The success of a documentary in conveying the message is determined by how credible it is perceived to be. According to Spence et al. in Crafting...
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...AgBioForum – Volume 3, Number 1 – 2000 – Pages 53-57 LABELING POLICY FOR GMOS: TO EACH HIS OWN?1 Julie A. Caswell1 GMO labeling policy for foods is under intense development. Countries are choosing mandatory labeling or adherence to voluntary labeling. Challenges to mandatory labeling are unlikely to be successful under current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Marketers and trade negotiators should recognize this and move toward living with diversity in labeling policy. Keywords: GMOs; biotechnology; labeling policy; trade disputes. We are at another important crossroads on the path that will determine the market acceptance of foods produced with the use of biotechnology. Individual governments are managing a range of policies that affect biotechnology, including those on research and development, intellectual property rights, regulatory approval (safety assessment), and labeling requirements. They are taking divergent policy paths that make for market uncertainty. At the same time, companies are announcing their intentions regarding the use or non-use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their products. These intentions make the market less uncertain for sales to those companies but raise the stakes in predicting the choices of other companies. Labeling policy for food products is currently under intense development in several countries. What are the basic requirements for such labeling programs and what policies are countries adopting? What ...
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...The idea of scientist changing the DNA of a human being as not been well received by those in the religious community who argue that genetic engineering is playing God. Many in favor of genetic engineering have argued that the possibility of eliminating diseases in humans cannot be unethical because it can potentially save a life. If diseases can be eliminated from the DNA of an embryo then more parents will have healthy babies. However, those who in opposition of genetically engineering humans have argued the fact that they may very well be causing more harm than good when they eliminate mutations form human DNA. Additionally, genetically modifying DNA can alter the human germline affecting future generation, passing on not only the desirable trait but also the undesirable side effects. The side effects of genetically engineered embryos are unknown because it is still in the experimental stage and the embryos used in previous experiments were...
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...GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEBATE: DESIGNING PROGRAMS TO MITIGATE RISKS MOYE BONGYU University of Dschang, Cameroon GLORIA BILLINGSLEY Walden University MUSTAFA YOUNIS EMEKA NWAGWU Jackson State University ABSTRACT Human health is determined by both natural and artificial factors, amongst which what people consume is a critical variable. There is no consensus about the likely effects of the Genetically Modified foods/organisms (GMOs), but the fact remains that their effects on health are risky and highly unpredictable especially with the globalization tendency. The purpose of this study is to examine how the GMOs risks to public health can be reduced by policymakers enhancing public confidence in the GM foods. The Precaution Adoption Model (PAPM) has been selected to tackle this health problem. This model has been described and evaluation strategies analyzed on the basis of which success can be determined. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Human health is determined by both natural and artificial factors, amongst which what people consume is a critical variable. The proliferation of genetically modified (GM) food in the marketplace has resulted in heated public debate, scientific discussion and media coverage about their safety. Formerly, the use of selective breeding was commonplace but this was a sluggish and unreliable Public Administration & Management Volume 13, Number 3, 191-217 192 method. Genetic engineering now allows scientists to insert specific...
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...Are food manufacturers killing us? From the facts that I have learned I think they are. They have been putting many harmful things in our foods that many people do not know about. Foods today are beginning to cause significant problems such as obesity and diseases. This is beginning to escalate past health problems and is beginning to affect certain costs. Also, it doesn’t seem like the government or anyone is doing much about this problem. Many people argue that it’s not the food industry’s fault and that it’s the people’s fault for eating the way they do, but I think I will make some valid points as to why it is the food industry’s fault. Throughout my life I always thought that eating food that was purchased at a grocery store was the safest and healthiest way to eat. From what I have learned now, eating certain foods from a grocery store or supermarket can sometimes be almost as bad as eating fast food. This is due to the food industry doing strange modifications and putting strange ingredients into our foods. According to an article titled “Is the Food Industry killing us“ . . . “Due to the rise of mass production and consumerism in the 20th century which accelerated after World War II more and more food is now manufactured using increasingly efficient processes to make it quicker to prepare, better tasting, higher in energy content and cheaper.”(Lavelle) This also makes the food much more unhealthy than it should be. The food industry only cares about its...
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...GMO MYTHS AND TRUTHS An evidence-based examination of the claims made for the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops Michael Antoniou Claire Robinson John Fagan June 2012 GMO Myths and Truths An evidence-based examination of the claims made for the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops Version 1.3 by Michael Antoniou Claire Robinson John Fagan © Earth Open Source www.earthopensource.org 2nd Floor 145–157, St John Street, London EC1V 4PY, United Kingdom Contact email: claire.robinson@earthopensource.org June 2012 Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this paper, or otherwise published by EOS, are those of the authors and do not represent the official policy, position, or views of other organizations, universities, companies, or corporations that the authors may be affiliated with. GMO Myths and Truths 2 About the authors Michael Antoniou, PhD is reader in molecular genetics and head, Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King’s Cols: lege London School of Medicine, London, UK. He has 28 years’ experience in the use of genetic engineering technology investigating gene organisation and control, with over 40 peer reviewed publications of original work, and holds inventor status on a number of gene expression biotechnology patents. Dr Antoniou has a large network of collaborators in industry and academia who are making use of his discoveries in gene control mechanisms for the production of research, diagnostic and therapeutic products...
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