After watching the movie "Harvest OF Fear,"" I have learned a great deal about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). There are many pros and cons to the use of GMOs. I was surprised to learn about the pros and especially about how the GMO plants can help starving people in the developing countries become better farmers and help them survive and provide for their families. Another pro is environmental protection. Also GMO crops have been developed so that they can resist and repel insects. This can reduce the amount of pesticide chemicals used on the plants, and so reducing exposure to pesticides. It seems that GMO crops and animals require fewer chemicals, less time and tools. This may help reduce environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion. Another pro is that GMO foods can offer more nutrition. Some GMO foods have been engineered to be more nutritious in mineral or vitamin content (such as vitamin A enriched rice). This can also help fight malnutrition in the developing countries. .
Although there are some great benefits to GMO plants and animals, there are also some significant risks. One of which is the risk of allergic reactions. Proteins from an organism that someone may be allergic to may be added to an organism which they weren't originally allergic to and so potentially risking the person's life. Certain seeds are only authorized to be used for feeding cattle but still find it into the mix with the regular seeds used to grow crops for human food. The example of corn provided in the movie was startling. The fact that some farmers would just save time and money and mix the seeds and then sell the crops which could be dangerous is very disconcerting. Taco Bell and Gerber food tested positive for these things and what is scary is that the companies did not test their own food prior to releasing it to the public. Another con to GMO production is the increasing threat of genetically modified organisms or animals or in the movie, fish, could escape into the wild and spread.
