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GMO

GMO. Lorraine Metz.

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GMO

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  1. GMO Lorraine Metz

  2. Genetically modified foods, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, are “genetically modified food: food from crops whose genes have been scientifically changed.” There is much controversy amongst this alteration in genes. The World Health Organization states that “The initial objective for developing plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides.”

  3. Peter Pringle, author of several books and graduate of Oxford University discusses, “A decade ago, two European biotech plan researches found a way to insert a daffodil gender into a rice plant…The new rice grains contained beta-carotene. In humans, it becomes the essential nutrient known as vitamin A. And lack of vitamin A causes death and blindness in millions of undernourished people in Asia and Africa where rice is a staple food. In theory, the golden rice with beta-carotene could save millions of lives.”

  4. Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumer Association national director argues the fact that GM could save lives. He claims “Life science corporations proclaim that their new products will make agriculture sustainable, eliminate world hunger, cure disease, and vastly improve public health. However, these gene engineers have made it clear, through their business practices and political lobbying, that they intend to use GE to monopolize the global market for seeds, foods, fiber, and medical products.”

  5. Say No to GMOs, a group dedicated to spreading awareness of the downfalls of Genetically Modified Organisms, prides itself on its strong arguments against GMOs. They argue the safety of GMOs as well as the possible outcomes that have been presented for it. A few of their arguments include that “GM crops do not increase yield potential” and that GM foods have not been shown safe to eat. They claim that “genetic modification is a crude and imprecise way of incorporating foreign genetic material into crops, with unpredictable consequences.” They also go on to argue that “Only one study has been published on the direct effects on humans of eating a GM food. It found unexpected effects on gut bacteria, but was never followed up.” With the insertions of bacteria, viruses and genes into completely different organisms, it does seem probable that it is not completely safe.

  6. Agricultural company, Monsanto, counters the previous point. Monsanto shares that, “In a 2000 report, a committee of the National Academies noted, "The committee is not aware of any evidence that foods on the market are unsafe to eat as a result of genetic modification," and other groups have reached similar conclusions.” This company sees the benefit of GMOs and has patents to numerous seeds that have been genetically modified.

  7. The Institute for Responsible Technology recently explored the topic of GM Foods. They state the “There are several reasons why GM plants present unique dangers. The first is that the process of genetic engineering itself creates unpredicted alterations, irrespective of which gene is transferred. The gene insertion process, for example, is accomplished by either shooting genes from a “gene gun” into a plate of cells, or using bacteria to infect the cell with foreign DNA. Both create mutations in and around the insertion site and elsewhere.”

  8. Monsanto argues this point in responding to the question ‘Are GM crops safe?’ The first large acreage plantings of GM crops--herbicide tolerant soybeans and canola--took place in 1996 after successfully passing U.S. regulatory review. Since then, additional GM crops with herbicide tolerance, insect tolerance and virus resistance have been given clearance for planting and consumption. These include varieties of corn, sugar beets, squash and papaya. All of these crops have been assessed for food and feed safety in producing countries, and many more countries have approved the import of food or food ingredients that contain GM products. Hundreds of millions of meals containing food from GM crops have been consumed. There has not been a single substantiated instance of illness or harm associated with GM crops.”

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