...Genetically Modified Plants Melissa Turner Professor Angela Tringali Introduction to Biology August 29, 2013 Genetically modified plants, crops are secretly becoming second nature to the United States. When you hear genetically modified you automatically assume you will not eat it or even thought that you have never bought any food containing that. You will be surprised how many people have bought or have eaten something that has been genetically modified. With that being said majority of the food we eat now has been or have ingredients that have been genetically modified. Now you have to ask yourself if you know what genetically modified food was, would you still eat the things you do knowing it was modified? When you hear genetically modified, the first thing I think about is an oversized tomato or a giant pumpkin of some sort. That is the complete opposite because by definition, genetic modification is the manipulation of DNA by humans to alter the essential make up of plants and animals. Genetically modified organism is define as organisms that the genetic material have been altered that did not come naturally, another terminology for this is called...
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...GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD (GM FOOD) SHOULD BE BANNNED Nowadays genetically modified food is widespread all over the world. GM foods are genetically modified using biotechnology. More and more GM foods appear on our stores and supermarkets. GM foods are designed for greater resistance to viruses and pests, higher nutritional value and longer shelf life. Food crops have been genetically modified for several reasons most of which produce a financial benefit to farmers and the chemical companies that produce the GMOs. In nearly all cases, these benefits are achieved indirectly by increasing crop yields through resistance to diseases and pests or by allowing them reduced use of herbicides to control weeds and unwanted plant growth. However their safety potential risks are still being debated.GM foods ensure that these foods are safe for the human consumption but critics argue that effects have not been studied long enough. First argument for banning GM foods is that it was badly affects our health and well-being. Some studies have linked consumptions of the GM foods to liver and kidney problems. The antibiotics and hormones given to cows and chickens are found in our bodies and we don’t know yet the extent to which these cause chronic disease. Moreover genetic engineering could introduce allergens into foods, causing allergic reactions in people who eat the foods. Another argument is that GM food does not benefit people, just...
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...Fedoroff Agric & Food Secur (2015) 4:11 DOI 10.1186/s40066-015-0031-7 Open Access REVIEW Food in a future of 10 billion Nina V Fedoroff* Abstract Over the past two centuries, the human population has grown sevenfold and the experts anticipate the addition of 2–3 billion more during the twenty-first century. In the present overview, I take a historical glance at how humans supported such extraordinary population growth first through the invention of agriculture and more recently through the rapid deployment of scientific and technological advances in agriculture. I then identify future challenges posed by continued population growth and climate warming on a finite planet. I end by discussing both how we can meet such challenges and what stands in the way. Keywords: Population growth, Agriculture, Domestication, Genetic modification, Technology Background Today we have enough food to meet the world’s needs. Indeed, we have an extraordinary global food system that brings food from all over the planet to consumers who can afford to buy it. The food price spike of 2008 and the resurgence of high food prices in recent years have had little impact on the affluent citizens of the developed world who spend a small fraction of their income on food. By contrast, food prices have a profound impact on the world’s poorest people. Many of them spend half or more of their income on food. During the food price crisis of 2008, there were food riots in more than...
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...or livestock. Some experts worry about widespread distribution of GM food because GM food is not proven to be safe, may reduce biodiversity, and create “super weeds.” In spite of those opponents, GM food should become more widespread because it is a solution to world hunger; it has more nutrients than those of regular food; it reduces environmental damage, and it can help control diseases. Since Gregor Mendel’s discovery, certain traits show up in offspring without any blending of parent characteristics. People recognized the possibility of GM organism by selecting genes. According to the book, Plant Biotechnology: the Genetic Manipulation of Plants, written by Adrian Salter, the "green revolution," led by Norman Borlaug, Monkombu Swaminatha and Gurdev Khush, enabled the world’s food supply to be tripled during the last three decades of the 20th Century. Adopting molecular breeding biotechnology increases the amount of product and decreases the cost of production, so people can get foods at lower price....
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...The current food crisis: The current world food situation is demonstrating the increasing demand for food on a global scale. This food crisis is consequently causing an increasing gap between the rich and poor, developing world and the developed world. This gap includes the amount and quality of food that is being consumed, shown through North America and Europe’s increasing problems of obesity associated with obesity. The European Union Common Agricultural policy enforced in the 1990s and early 2000s an order to reduce food production and reduce leftovers or waste. Once the Cold War was over, Europe had less need for large storage of food as war seemed less likely to happen. At the same time there is an increasing population of those living in LEDCs. These people are poorer and hungrier and as a consequence suffer severe health problems such as malnutrition and starvation. The global food prices rose in 2008. One of the products which had a large increase was rice which resulted in riots in Africa and Asia. Even people in MEDC’s spent a large portion of their income on food and daily essentials. As a result, people either cut down on quality of food, amount of food or spend more money trying to still afford the luxuries of high quality food. However the increase in food prices would have had an effect upon the rest of the global or local economies. Green Revolution, a possible temporary solution? The Green revolution took place in the 1960s the green revolution was...
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...on GM foods and neither should be labeled right or wrong. Essentially, both groups have the concerns for the beneficial to the sustainability of the environment and the safety of consumers. Pro-GM aims to help feed countries with poverty by multiplying per-acre yields and at the same time will reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides. Anti-GM places concerns about the possible effect that GM foods might have in the long run. Tests are often limited in both time and space to reach a conclusion. 3) Is there any way to bridge the gap between these groups? If so, what would the advantages and disadvantages be? It is hard to come up with a way for these groups to bridge the gap. Environmentalists will always argue about cross breeding of organic plants, and the effects it may have on the food chain even if the FDA approves it for human consumption. 4) If you were crafting GMO public policy, what would you recommend? 5) Do hybrid seeds represent as serious a concern as that represented by GM foods? What policy would you recommend for hybrid seeds and vegetables? Yes...
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...citizens and farmers since there is the assumption that genetic engineered food is the key to eliminating global starvation (Genetically, 2010). Before weighing the pros and cons of genetic engineered food, it is essential to understand what is genetic engineered food? “Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms” (What is genetically, 2010). Scientists have learned that there are ways of changing the structure of DNA in living organisms and build customized DNA. Genetic engineered food is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Traditionally, the enhancement of desired traits has been carried out through breeding, but conventional...
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...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 more testing and regulation is needed to increase public acceptance. After review, I arrived at the conclusion that genetically modified crops are needed and that more stringent regulation and public awareness is necessary to increase acceptance. In the article “Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security” by Pamela Ronald...
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...University of the Western Cape Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Department of Academic Development Academic Literacy for Commerce (ALC 131) Name and Surname : Zanele Skosana Student number : 3525385 Degree registered for : B.Admin Name of Assignment : Academic essay Topic/Instruction: : Critically reflect on the article provided, and write an academic essay in which you discuss the effects of genetically modified food on South Africans and the economy Name of lecturer : Ms Lutasha Ndesi Name of tutor : Gaynor Godlo Due Date : 6 May 2015 | Marking Criteria | Mark Allocation | Mark Achieved | 1 | Presentation | 2 | | 2 | Introduction and Conclusion | 5 | | 3 | Structure ( Paragraph development: Topic, Supporting and Concluding sentences) | 8 | | 4 | Language | 20 | | 5 | Content | 50 | | 6 | Quotations | 10 | | 7 | Reference List | 5 | | | Total Mark | 100 | | Declaration 1. I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend it is one’s own work. 2. Each contribution to, and quotation in this work that I have taken from the work of other people has been attributed and has been cited and referenced. 3. This submission is my own work. 4. I have not allowed, and will not allow anyone...
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...an abundant supply of crops that may repel insects without the need for pesticides and less expensive crops that maintain freshness for longer. There are also disadvantages in using genetically modified foods because the genetically modified version of the food may differ from the original food, losing its nutritional value or creating an allergen. The continuous study and regulation of genetically modified foods will protect the food supply and the people who consume it. Since the onslaught of pesticide use and environmental concerns, genetically modified foods have made its way into grocery stores and supermarkets. The “Bionet” (n.d.) website states, “Genetically modified food products are plants that have had their genetic characteristics altered. Scientists change the plants' characteristics by putting new genetic material into them, genes for example from a bacterium which can withstand pesticides.” Without knowing, Americans consume GM foods daily. Most people are unaware of the modifications in their food because the United States, unlike Australia, does not require a GM food label to identify whether or not the food is modified or not (Berry, 2012). According to Berry (2012), “Determining whether a food contains GM content requires DNA testing. As this is expensive, there is currently no policing of GM food labeling laws for foods that are imported into the country. Many of the foods we buy at the supermarket contain imported GM ingredients. They can be found...
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...modified by adding DNAs from other plants that do not occur naturally in order to resist the diseases and increase the output of the agricultural production. Planting GM food has several advantages. It can resist the natural risksEva Schubert2015-11-17T15:06:00What do you mean? Be ore specific. which are pests, diseases and natural environment changes, increase the agricultural yield, and reduce the pollution of the environment. There are some advantages of GM food on increasing the resistance of the natural risk. Firstly, it decreases the risk of the effect of insects. Most plants are the food of the insects, especially the crops which are important in people’s life. Crops do not have an effective means to protect them from insects, so farmers use pesticide to kill the insects that eat the crops. The seeds of GM food have their own resistance of insects, because scientist use the genes from other plants which release the smells that the insects hate or produce a natural bacterium called “Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)”Eva Schubert2015-11-07T08:41:00Put BT in brackets here. Then you can use BT alone for the rest of the essay. (Gatehouse, 2008). BT occurs in soil to produce a protein. When insects eat this protein, it destroys the digestive system of the insects and reduces the growth of the larva (Gatehouse, 2008). Secondly, it has resistance of the disease. “Viral disease” and “Fungal infection” are the two main diseases that affect the plants (Engel et al, 2002). Viral disease...
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...Genetically Modified Food. The way to go? Name Institution Genetically Modified Foods also known as Biotech Foods are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They differ from traditional foods in that their DNA have been introduced to genetic engineering techniques to enhance desired traits such as improved nutritional content and much more. Over 40 plant varieties have federal requirements for commercialization as GMOs. It all started in 1946, when scientists discovered DNA transfer between organisms. The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1983 and now 165 million acres annually are grown. However, along with rapid adoption of technology have come myths propagated by proponents and opponents. Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. All GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. The general population has showed no effects on human health because of the consumption of such foods. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods. (Winter & Gallegos, 2006) The GM foods controversy is a dispute over the relative advantages and disadvantages of food derived from GMOs, GM crops used and other uses of GMOs in food production. The world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted...
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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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...responsible for regulating the field testing of plants with novel traits (PNTs) in Canada. PNTs are defined as a plant variety/genotype possessing characteristics that demonstrate neither familiarity nor substantial equivalence to those present in a distinct, stable population of a cultivated species of seed in Canada and that have been intentionally selected, created or introduced into a population of that species through a specific genetic change. Familiarity is defined as the knowledge of the characteristics of a plant species and experience with the use of that plant species in Canada. Substantial equivalence is defined as the equivalence of a novel trait within a particular plant species, in terms of its specific use and safety to the environment and human health, to those in that same species, that are in use and generally considered as safe in Canada, based on valid scientific rationale. PNTs may be developed using traditional plant breeding techniques or other methodologies such as recombinant DNA technologies. Regulated field testing is necessary when PNTs are: 1) considered unfamiliar when compared with products already on the market; 2) not considered substantially equivalent to similar, familiar plant types already in use and regarded as safe. Before PNTs may be authorized for unconfined release, they must be assessed for environmental safety. Regulatory Directive 94-08: Assessment Criteria for Determining Environmental Safety of Plants with Novel Traits describes the criteria...
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...art degree; bought five terriers for breeding purposes; had particular interest in breeding for profit; spent lots of time with friends while attending dog-show social events; converted part of the home office into a ten-kennel pen; purchased an advertisement in Dog World for services of a breeder; signed onto the breeder network; retained detailed records of the Terriers which includes: stud fees, care costs, and receipts of the sold puppies. The assumptions used are that you: already had friends that were dog breeders; have no expertise in breeding or had not hired outside council with expertise in dog breeding; have not made any profits from breeding; have no past experience with dog breeding; did not have separate business checking accounts; did not have a business plan; did not purchase or obtain insurance, certifications, or liscenses. The implications of having a hobby loss is that you can not offset other income. Unlike business losses, hobby losses do not carryforward or backward. The deductions for hobby activities are claimed as itemized deductions on Schedule A, Form 1040. The decision to claim a hobby loss rather than business loss was difficult. However, there seemed to be a lack of profit-motive in your dog breeding activities. IRC section (183)(a)(¶m -5824) offered a similar example of the Third Cicuit’s decision in Simon, where the tax court ruled in favor of Hobby-Loss status for someone who participated in horse breeding activities and fully expected to make...
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