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GM Foods

 

            
             Genetically modified foods are receiving quite a bit of attention in the media these days. They are turning into a prevalent part of the world's agriculture and the question often arises whether or not the foods are a health concern. Presently no clear evidence indicates genetically modified foods pose any significant threat to human health, although precautions should be taken and studies should follow the new technology closely.
             Genetically modified foods or GM foods are "foods produced using plant or animal ingredients that have been modified using gene technology." (Ross). For example, rice can be enriched with vitamins by inserting genes from other plants containing the desired vitamins. Plants can also be modified to withstand certain environmental factors they normally wouldn't by deriving those genes from plants that can. This new technology offers a lot to the world of agriculture. Despite all the good the new technology has to offer there is a lot of controversy over whether genetically modified foods are safe. There are a few different concerns around health issues in light of this new technology. .
             Toxins, antibiotic resistance and allergies are currently the major concerns about genetically modified foods. Many of the arguments I have read lead me to believe there is presently no real threat that gm foods have on human health.
             The first concern of antibiotic resistance is of special interest to me. Antibiotic resistant bacteria kill more people every year than road accidents. (Halle). I can see the concern here. The marker genes used in genetic engineering confer resistance to antibiotics commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. Some scientists believe that eating gm foods containing these marker genes could encourage gut bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance. According to the FDA the chances of this happening are very low. First, studies show that strands of antibiotic resistant genes, once in the digestive tract, are degraded by digestive enzymes.


Essays Related to GM Foods

1. GM food

GM food What are the arguments for and against genetically modified (GM)food? ... One of the potential problems in food is possible allergies caused by GM crops. ... In addition, GM food also cause some financial problems. In most case, the benefit of the GM food does not belong to the farmers who plant the GM food on their own land. ... So in conclusion, although there are so many benefits of GM food , what we should consider , is the disadvantages of GM food when we decide to make GM food in the commercial trade. ...

  • Word Count: 1627
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. In Favor of GM Foods

With economic globalization gaining momentum, product quality and food safety have increasingly become a global issue, and GM foods have attracted attention worldwide. ... People opposing GM food mainly have two concerns, namely, risk to the environment and risk to human health. ... In a nutshell, the safety of GM foods can be guaranteed. There are reasons why we need GM foods urgently. ... And thanks to GM technology, food prices can be kept lower as it can reduce the cost of basic agricultural commodities, therefore it can also benefit consumers who actually don't refuse to purchase GM...

  • Word Count: 1693
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. GM FOODS

But with all the concern surrounding GM food, it must prove itself to be a safe alternative before people fully accept it and widely consume it (National Academy of Sciences, para 1). ... Overtime, I believe that people realize that in comparison to eating crops that have been exposed to pesticides, that GM foods are the safe alternative. ... Around the world people are concerned about GM foods, and so they should be. ... Basically everybody who isn't a scientist and who hasn't done hours of research on GM food knows pretty much the same about genetically modified food. ... S...

  • Word Count: 1147
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. GM Foods, Harmful or Helpful?

What genetic engineering is, what some of the advantages of GM foods are, and what kinds of plants or involved. ... Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories, environmental hazards, health risks, and economic concerns. ... (Prince of Whales 21) Environmental concerns are a major factor in the role of GM foods. ... There are not too many health risks except some people may be allergic to the foods and most of all the unknown affects of the GM foods. ... Also, the use of soybeans derivatives as food additives in the modern American diet have ensured that all U.S. consumers ha...

  • Word Count: 1106
  • Approx Pages: 4

5. GM Food: A Mixed Blessing

GM food can improve the quality and quantity of food so as to tackle the problem of starvation in the third world and meets the needs of the growing global population. ... GM food can boost the economy of the third world so that their standard of living can be raised. ... Someone may argue that the problem will be solved by building public awareness of GM food and labelling the food that is genetically modified. ... GM food is an inevitable result. ... There is a growing trend that the world becomes more dependant on the GM food and it really helps satisfying the increasing needs for food. ...

  • Word Count: 354
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

6. GM Food - Friend or Foe?

Humans have been modifying their food for thousands of years. ... Since GM technology is so new and so poorly understood, GM food could have unpredictable effects on the environment and on our health. ... If genetic engineering changed food composition, they argued, it might lower the amounts of certain nutrients in food, such as fatty acids. ... However, controversies surrounding the risks of GM foods must be overcome. Consumers must be convinced that GM foods are safe and beneficial to human health and to the environment as well. ...

  • Word Count: 807
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Debate: That GM food is unsafe for human consumption

Madame Chairperson, Adjudicators, Members of the opposition, fellow team - mates, members of the floor As Sinead already informed you I aim to encourage you to dispel the myths surrounding GM food, which are no more than propaganda created by anti-GM activists. ... This is the root of the problem when it comes to public perception of GM Foods, the propaganda being spread about is powerful, convincing stuff but is in the majority of cases based on myths, rumours and misconceptions. ... Now, I am not so nave as to argue that GM is infallible in its current experimental stage; it has fla...

  • Word Count: 552
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. GM

GM food, being a controversial topic, used to hit the headlines as often as IT and other hit issues before the Iraqi war. More often than not, the controversy revolves about should the world adopt GM food or crops as the future staple food. ... We should avoid consumption(thus cultivation) of GM food due to the potential dangers involved. ... Seen in the above stated arguments, no doubt that GM food may bring some light to the world. ... Hence, I would like to reiterate that I am against the cultivation of GM food. ...

  • Word Count: 676
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

9. The Benefits and Genetically Modified Foods

Those who oppose GM foods argue that they are unsafe, but on the other hand, people who advocate GM foods, suggest that they are safe and beneficial to humans. ... As we can see, GM foods have advantages in flavors over conventional foods. ... After explaining the four specific benefits on humans' eating caused by GM foods, I would restate the safety problem of GM foods. ... While as a matter of fact, people who are allergic to GM food can be allergic to other conventional food as well. ... That's why I'm clarifying the benefits of GM foods as above. ...

  • Word Count: 1476
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography