Genetically Modified Organisms: Harmful or Helpful?

Genetically Modified Organisms: Harmful or Helpful?

Genetically modified organisms are defined as “a broad group of plants, animals, and bacteria that are engineered for a wide variety of applications ranging from agricultural production to scientific research” (EOH, 2003). Many farmers and landowners argue that using genetic engineering is equally as healthy and natural as not using it, however, how is an organism completely natural if it’s being altered from its original state? Genetically modified organisms are found in almost 94% of crops; the production of, oils, starches, soy and corn are some of the prime food injected with the material. The alteration of genetic material is often called, “modern biotechnology” which allows one organism to be transferred into another. Genetically modified foods were developed and marketed due to the sole fact that the product would be a lower price with a greater benefit to whomever was producing it. Since the price of production is lower, the quality of the product is lower. Genetically modified organisms were proven to be one of the leading causes of production of new allergens, increased toxicity, decreased nutrition, and antibiotic resistance. By getting rid of genetically modified organisms in food, it can decrease the chances of health and environmental issues from such harmful substances. Although using genetic engineering increases the quantity of the foods being produced, it has detrimental effects that ruin the environment and certain functions throughout the human body.

The acronym “GMO” stands for genetically modified organism. Genetically modified organisms were created with the aim to “improve agricultural practices and nutritional quality, plant breeding techniques have been developed to produce genetically modified (GM) crops” (Fraiture, Herman, Taverniers, Loose, 2015). However, the intensity of this new biotechnology is being vigorously promoted with minimal oversight and regulation by the U.S. government and other governments around the world. With little oversight, the government isn’t aware of all the harmful effects GMOs are doing to the environment and the human body. Genes from fish, insects, bacteria, and viruses are put into the plants and crops that people eat. And some human genes are inserted into nonhuman animals. This new biotechnology method is creating new forms of life without reliable scientific evidence that they are safe and natural. Biotechnology was created in 1976 when Genentech Inc. first became a corporation. The first genetically modified engineered pharmaceutical product was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human use in 1990. Although the first genetically modified was approved, many of the new ones haven’t been. In 1990, the Bush administration tried to “protect the emerging U.S. biotechnology industry from regulatory restraints in order to facilitate global market expansion”, however the Clinton administration disregarded position papers and appeals by scientists (Fox, 2001). The Environmental Protection Agency and the FDA wanted to make the government aware of the issues occuring from such chemicals and to proceed with caution because of the potential environmental and consumer health risks (Fox, 2001). With little oversight from the government about what genetically modified organisms are doing to the environment and human health, less people become aware of how they are affecting their bodies. The FDA doesn’t require any safety studies, does not command labeling of GMOs, and allows companies to put their GM foods on the market without even notifying the agency which proves that little to know supervision by the government takes place (Kuznetsov, 2015). Without the supervision and health and safety tests [for GMOS], health risks can occur more often and easily from these genetically modified organisms, eventually affecting the environment and human body negatively.

Have you ever smelled a “fresh” bag of apples in the grocery store? Sometimes, they have a peculiar smell that catches your noses’ attention immediately. That smell is called glyphosate. Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide that is used to control herbaceous weeds and long length grasses, specifically in croplands. Glyphosate is the spray put onto crops to help grow them effectively and efficiently in a certain amount of time. Glyphosate is used to kill any unwanted plants in the cropland and help preserve the crops that are being grown. Imagine how powerful glyphosate must be to be able to kill hundreds of unwanted plants. A small amount of glyphosate isn’t detrimental to a human’s body, however, too much consumption can result in serious health issues. Farmers aren’t told how much to expose the plants and crops to when spraying their plants. Without an exact amount, farmers could be over exposing their crops to glyphosate which eventually goes into the human body. If people eat too many genetically modified foods and syrups, their body can also suffer the negative effects from it. Studies have shown that when high doses of glyphosate were administered to laboratory animals, the results proved that glyphosate has carcinogenic potential. Lab rats were given pieces of genetically modified corn pieces and over the course of four months starting showing systems of carcinogenic activity. Carcinogenic means the studies on cancer rates in people have provided conflicting results on whether the use of glyphosate containing products is associated with cancer. Some studies have associated glyphosate use with non-Hodgkin lymphoma- which is cancer that starts in the lymphatic system (Walia, 2014). As the amount of genetically modified organisms increase, more health, environment and social justice effects have taken place. Many individuals do not actually know what is in their food and how it is produced as many companies, factories, and farmers get away without labeling their products. According to Dana Perls, “some of these products are rapidly making their way onto our plates without full safety assessments, regulations, and proper labeling” (Perls, 2017). Without full safety assessments, regulations and labeling the risk for health issues increases immensely. People aren’t aware of what they are putting into their bodies and ultimately, if their body receives too much of a chemical caused by genetically modified organisms, it can result in things as bad as cancer.

Genetically modified organisms have not only affected carcinogenic potential in the human body, but has played a tremendous role in reproduction and offspring. Many research studies conducted by South Dakota State University, and The Australian Health Ministers alarmed the health department as many negative effects took place. Many arguments were were made against this, many researchers and farmers have taken polls and have done

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