pros and cons of GMOs

genetic modified food

1. Assignment of Introduction to Environmental Science
Topic: Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Food
Nimra Arshad
118259021
BS Geography
Semester IV
Submitted to: Mam Zaira

2. Table of Contents
What is GMO?
Genetic Engineering of food
Process of genetic engineering
Example
Pros of genetically modified food
Cons of genetically modified food
Conclusion

3. The process of genetic engineering in papaya
The process of genetic engineering in papaya. This is the first fruit tree ever genetically engineered (for
resistance to a virus that kills papaya plants), conducted by Land Grant Universities (University of Hawaii
and Cornell University) in the USA, and licensed to the Hawaii papaya industry for use and distribution.

What is GMO(Genetically Modified Organism)?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are those whose genome have been artificially altered in a lab so
as to support the expression of wanted physiological characteristics or the growth of wanted organic
products. In conservative production of livestock, agricultural farming and breeding of pets, the technique
has been used for a long time in the custom of selecting breeding individuals from a group so as to give
out an offspring that has the desired characteristics.

The entire process of artificial alteration is termed as genetic engineering and is habitually aimed at
producing combinations of bacteria, virus, and animal genes that do not occur in nature or in manners that
contradict the conventional crossbreeding methods.

4. With genetic engineering, many crops species have developed immunity to most lethal diseases. Genetic
engineering has also helped to increase yields at the farm. Today, wide-ranging crop species like wheat
are genetically modified to achieve high nutritive value, and faster and higher productivity. These days,
more and more countries are embracing genetically engineered crops to fight scarcity of food, offer highly
nutritious foods, and grow and cultivate crops that are immune to various diseases and pests. Genetic
engineering, in many ways, has heralded an age of agricultural revolution, which many hope will help
wipe out malnutrition and starvation.
Process of Genetic Engineering
1. Identification of an organism that exhibits the desired trait or gene of interest.

2. Extracting the DNA from that organism.

3. Through a process called gene cloning, one desired gene (recipe) must be located and copied from
thousands of genes that were extracted.

4. The gene is slightly modified to work in a more desirable way once it is inserted inside the recipient
organism.

5. The transformation process occurs when new gene(s), called a transgene is delivered into cells of the
recipient organism. The most common transformation technique uses a bacteria that naturally genetically
engineer plants with its own DNA. The transgene is inserted into the bacteria, which then delivers it into
cells of the organism being engineered.

6. The characteristics of the final product is improved through the process called traditional breeding.

5. Examples of Genetically Engineered Foods
Papaya
Hawaii is well documented as a place where genetically modified papaya trees have been cultivated and
grown since 1999. The harvested papayas are disseminated to markets such as the United States and
Canada. The reason for modifying these papayas is the Papaya Ringspot virus that has caused havoc for
many years. Also, Hawaii papayas have been modified to slow down their maturity to accord suppliers
sufficient time to ship to the market.
Cotton
Cotton is very susceptible to diseases, insects, and pests. It is heavily modified to boost yields and
resistance to pests and diseases.

Corn
Corn also makes the list of the most genetically modified foods. Half of farmers in the United States grow
corn that has been genetically modified. Most of the corn is utilized for human consumption and animal
feed.

Sugar
Sugar beets are surprisingly modified due to their high demand in countries like U.S., Canada, and
Europe. Genetically modified sugar beets debuted in the United States markets in 2009. They are
genetically modified to develop resistance to Round Up.

6. Pros of GMOs
1. GMOs advance the quality of grown food
2. GMOs are easier to cultivate
3. They boost the yields that an individual can generate on existing lands
4. GMOs can be transported to the inaccessible regions of the world
5. Chemicals usage on GMO crops is lesser compared to other crops.
6. According to the FDA, GMO foodstuffs potentially meet equal requisites as other foodstuffs
7. GMOs are able to preserve energy, soil and water
8. It protects crops from extinction
Cons of GMOs
1. They might contribute to a rise in allergic reactions 2. Genetic food can prompt allergic reactions from
different foods
3. GMOs may contribute to antibiotic resistance
4. Some research has linked GMOs to cancer
5. Very few companies are in charge of all the GMO seed market
6. Herbicide resistance occurs even without genetic modification
7. Autonomous studies are restricted by organizations in control of GMOs
8. GMO crops can contaminate other fields
9. GMOs produce super bugs
10. GMOs have the potential of affecting animal protein
Pros of GMOs

7. 1. GMOs advance the quality of grown food
Genetically modified foodstuffs can be changed so as to have a longer lasting life in the aim of limiting
wastage of food. This can be done through creating stronger colors, eliminating seeds or having the plant
get more adjusting to harsh climatic changes. A lot of foodstuffs that have been advanced have better
nutrient percentages such as protein and calcium.

2. GMOs are easier to cultivate
Genetically modified foods can also be manipulated to grow in specified and problematic surroundings.
This could be done through creating crops that are more resistant to pests. They may also be made to have
improved tolerance to numerous chemicals such as herbicides. As a result, farmers are able to get
improved yields.

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3. They boost the yields that an individual can generate on existing lands
GMO produce can be manipulated to give higher produce from the same cultivated lands. In some
occurrences, the produce can possibly increase after transitioning to GMO from traditional crops thus
making it possible to meet the food demands that the next generations are going to need.

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Research shows that by 2050, the world population would have increased to 10 billion. Meaning people
will require more food for consumption from the existing lands. In a bid to hold up the anticipated
increase, GMOs offers the possibility with no need of altering the pricing of food. GMO proponents claim
it is a solution to the world’s future food security.

4. GMOs can be transported to the inaccessible regions of the world
Currently, the food production in the world is 17% more than it is required for the population. The
problem is how food can be dispensed to countryside where individuals have little quantities of food. The
time it takes for it to reach such areas is sufficient for it to get ruined before consumption.

Therefore, GMOs lengthen the natural life of the foodstuff and its resilience, permitting them to be
transported to longer distances without wastage or going bad to communities that really need them.

8. 5. Chemicals usage on GMO crops is lesser compared to other crops.
Based on a study conducted by PG Economics to measure the quantity of pesticide on cotton that had
been genetically modified from 1996-2011, it was discovered that there had been a 6% decline in the
amount of herbicides used compared to those that had not been modified.

6. According to the FDA, GMO foodstuffs potentially meet equal requisites as other foodstuffs
Stanford University made a comparison of genetically modified foods to organic foods and discovered
that there was no compelling proof that either of the foods were more nourishing or more probable to
come with added health dangers when consumed by people.

7. GMOs are able to preserve energy, soil and water
This allows our food distribution network to make less of an impact on the environment. Food can be
cultivated in regions that have less rainfall and have no irrigation with appropriate genetic alterations.
What is more, the crops have a great resistance to weeds, pests, and diseases with a continuous yield,
making it easier to plan for food sources and storage for a bigger populace.

8. It protects crops from extinction
A lot of foods people consume nowadays are products of a sole original source. For instance, each naval
orange is basically a clone of a single original tree that was attached to create more trees.

Not having genetic disparities puts the crop at risk should a virus or microorganisms be able to attack the
fundamental genetic make-up of the crop. For example, the Hawaiian Rainbow Papaya was genetically
engineered thus its industry was saved.
Cons of GMOs
1. They might contribute to a rise in allergic reactions
Studies have shown that food-related allergic reactions in kids have risen from 3% to 5% in the last
decade. Even though there is no proof supporting the notion that GMOs can cause a rise in allergies, the
thought that it may happen has stuck in people’s minds causing them to keep away from genetically
modified food.

9. 2. Genetic food can prompt allergic reactions from different foods
GMOs that had body building nutrients from Brazil nuts were discovered to set off an allergy in
individuals who are sensitive to them. Thus, any proteins that come from other foodstuffs must have a
listing as part of the components and be tested to find out their capability of causing allergies.

3. GMOs may contribute to antibiotic resistance
GMOs are mostly incorporated with antibiotic-resistant genes so as to make strong the crops that will
grow. It is contemplated but not corroborated that the procedure could be contributing to the development
of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. Some research has linked GMOs to cancer
A research that was initially published in 2013 showed that herbicide found in Round-up tolerant crops
led to the development of cancer in rats. The paper was later taken back by the first journal that published
it for having unfounded or deceptive information, however, other journals have printed it since the
withdrawal. Thus, a lot of individuals have concluded that consumption of the modified corn could be
dangerous to their health.

5. Very few companies are in charge of all the GMO seed market
A lot of the negative energy surrounding GMOs has a tendency of involving Monsato. There are other 5
corporations that alongside Monsato are in charge of all the GMO seed market. The companies include
DuPont, Sungenta, Agrosciences, Dow, BASF and Bayer.

This implies that a lot of the soya beans and corn are benefiting both the farmers and the companies. To
safeguard such revenues, copyrights are required for certain seeds, these has resulted to some legal battles
for the farmers that have GMO seeds to cross-pollinate in spite of not cultivating GMOs.

6. Herbicide resistance occurs even without genetic modification
Presently, there are 64 different sorts of weeds that have been verified to be resistant to atrazine. This is
regardless of the reality that not any of the weeds have been coupled with GMO crops to promote such a
resistance.

10. Various farmers in the Southeastern United States tend to lose up to half of their produce even when they
have planted GMO crops, to atrazine-resistant weeds.

7. Autonomous studies are restricted by organizations in control of GMOs
User concurrence with half of the leading manufacturers of GMO seeds forbid autonomous research of
the finished good. It aid in protecting the payments they get to make when farmers get to reap yield
through using their seeds.

Because the seeds are seen as the property of the corporation, even unintentional growing of a GMO crop
can cause in the necessity to reimburse the company.

8. GMO crops can contaminate other fields
Even though crops have been genetically modified, they still grow the same as other crops. This indicates
that pollination is still needed to happen so as the crop can produce the intended “fruit”. For instance, bees
play a major role in pollination, meaning they get exposed to the genetic transformations that occur in the
crop.

11. The seeds that are produced can sometimes be extended to other agricultural lands thus contaminating
them. When cross-pollination happens, there is no result that can be predicted for both farms, although
soybeans are an exemption because they do not cross-pollinate.

9. GMOs produce super bugs
When pesticides are applied to pests that threaten growth of crops, a small number of them have a
tendency of surviving. Hence, following generation becomes resilient to the chemical meaning either
more pesticides are required or stronger one. Putting a stronger chemical, the insects become even more
resilient, this eventually leads to the growth of super bugs that decrease food provisions.

10. GMOs have the potential of affecting animal protein
The huge majority of the main plants in the United States that are planted are genetically modified. Such
crops are subsequently given to livestock as food. Consequently, this affects animal-based groceries.

GMO components can be traced in eggs, milk, seafood and animal muscle tissues. In addition, honey can
also contain components of GMO because of bees pollinating genetically modified plants for production.

Regarding the advantages and the disadvantages of GMOs, as seen, there is a lot of disinformation as
there is truth. Even though GMOs are able to produce more food, they tend to cause digestive problems
along the way. So it is important to address the treatment of GMO seeds and also farmers should be
allowed to use GMO seeds that spread to their farms without fearing lawsuits, this would increase the
profits gained from farming.