Topic > Genetically modified foods: for or against

Genetically modified organisms have become a very controversial topic in science despite the fact that people have been modifying crop genes for years. It begs the question of why the topic has become an issue. Genetic engineering mainly refers to methods that use recombinant DNA technology (genetic cloning). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayGenetically modified crops are crops whose original DNA composition has been altered to produce a version of the crop that has desirable traits. The concept of modifying the genes of a crop is not a new technology at all. Technology that has the ability to remove unwanted traits and add desired traits to an organism must have some major advantages and disadvantages for humanity. Genetically modified crops have caused a stir in communities around the world, raising ethical questions. Seed banks are where seeds are stored to preserve genetic diversity. Seed banks store various seeds from different times and places, thus ensuring the biodiversity of future plants. Based on my extensive research, I have to see the negative impacts of GMOs, but I do not believe that this practice should end due to the great benefits and potential it holds. IntroductionGenetically modified organisms have become a very controversial topic in science despite the fact that people have been changing crop genes for years. The question arises as to why the topic has become an issue for both farmers and consumers when scientists have established the benefits of this science. In this report, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified crops, as well as the ethical issues surrounding the topic and whether they really are the answer to world hunger. My initial opinion on the GMCs is that of a positive note. I believe it plays a role in producing crops with better yield and quality and therefore plays a key role in ending world hunger. To fully understand the concept of genetically modified crops, we must understand the science of genetic engineering. According to Britannica Encyclopaedia and Science YouTuber, Kurzgesagt, genetic engineering was initially the term used to refer to several techniques in which the composition of an organism was changed or manipulated through the process of inheritance and reproduction. In the 20th century, however, the term refers primarily to methods that make use of recombinant DNA technology (genetic cloning) in which segments of the DNA molecule from more than one source are combined into a cell which is then placed in the host organism where the cell containing the combined DNA can multiply or form other parts of itself. Genetically modified crops are crops whose original DNA composition has been altered to produce a version of the crop that has desirable characteristics such as a larger size or better taste. The concept of modifying the genes of a crop is not a new technology at all. According to various records, humans altered the genes of organisms to meet their dietary needs about 10,000 years ago through a process called selective breeding, in which humans take the crop they would like to alter and mate it with crops that have desirable characteristics , until the farmer was satisfied with the product of the harvest, the classic example is corn obtained from a teosinte grass. The breedingselective was officially declared a scientific practice by Robert Bakewell during the British agricultural revolution in the 18th century. Although genetic modification of crops is based on selective breeding, the two methods differ greatly in terms of precision and accuracy. Selective breeding occurred mostly by chance while GMCs are more accurate and precise. GMCs are produced by extracting the crop's DNA and "cutting out" the unwanted trait or "cutting" desired traits from the DNA of another crop, inserting that trait into the DNA of the selected crop, and inserting that DNA into the crops still growing. way of development. If traits are taken from one crop and inserted into the DNA of the same crop, scientists call this GMC crop a “cisgenic” crop, but if the trait is taken from a completely different crop, this crop is called “transgenic” Technology that has the ability to remove unwanted traits and add desired traits to an organism, must have some incredible benefits for humanity. Some of the main benefits of genetically modified crops are: Higher yields by altering DNA to produce more crops, allowing more food to be available to consumers. Longer life due to the fact that crops can be made resistant to diseases, pests and drought. The plants are also made to produce more nutrients. According to livestrong.com, Asian countries are planting genetically modified rice with increased amounts of iron and vitamins needed by the human body. GMOs may also prove useful in reducing excessive use of the world's natural resources. Since plants can be made more efficient, for example, by consuming less water, farmers can limit the need for water, limit land use and soil corrosion, thus saving water and energy, making agriculture greener. friendly. Although genetic modification shows promise in crop production, altering an organism's genes can cause enormous risks and disadvantages that include: "The Creation of 'Super Weeds'" according to vittana.orgvittana.org vittana.org- Why GMC's have been made more resistant to weeds, natural selection may occur due to weeds becoming stronger against chemicals designed to destroy them. Increased allergic responses in humans due to proteins/allergens present in GM crops of toxins if the 'desired character' is damaged when Ingredients may be cancerous: Dr Stanley Ewen, consultant histopathologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, raised concerns that GMCs could increase the growth of malignant tumors in contact with beings Subsequently, other studies have suggested a link between engineered foods and cancer. Genetically modified crops have caused a stir in communities around the world, raising ethical questions such as not knowing where the food they ingest comes from if it is not produced naturally. . Genetic modification is still a new technology with many unknowns about the harmful effects it could cause. It is because of these problems that many people around the world protest against the production of GMO crops, calling it "unnatural" and "dangerous to humans and animals." Some ethical and legal concerns include: Cross-pollination: Genes from GM crops spread to other plants may do well with other food crops achieving damage-resistant qualities, however, the genes could spread to weeds and make them difficult to kill. Pest-resistant crops can harm animals: the gene that discourages pests from the cropit could also be harmful to animals that eat them; however, according to Science YouTuber, Kurzgesagt, there is a study that shows that these genes have no effect on the human body or animals. Foods prepared with GMC are not currently made to say they are genetically modified, so people who don't want to eat GMC have no way of saying that GMC pose a risk to the environment and the food web. Although genetic modification was designed to reduce agriculture's impact on the environment, GMCs have triggered increased use of the herbicide glyphosate. According to Food & Water Watch, GMCs were initially designed to reduce herbicide/pesticide use, but this was not the case. In fact, according to USDA and EPA data used in their report, the rapid adoption of genetically modified crops by farmers has increased herbicide use over the past 9 years in the United States. The report and a report written by Washington State University research professor Charles Benbrook both focus on the topic of “superweeds” that become resistant to herbicides used despite their variations, and thus more herbicides are used. Seed banks are where seeds are stored to preserve genetic diversity according to Sourcetrace.com. Seed banks are considered “libraries” of seeds and play a very important role in restoring plants that are on the verge of extinction. Seed banks also provide assurance of food availability if food supplies decline. Science.Howstuffworks.com gives us a great explanation of how seed banks work. They describe it as having a “bank account” where seeds are “deposited” and “withdrawn” when needed in the future. Scientists use these seeds for planting in case the plant/crop dies, so it is very important to preserve seed banks. Naturally produced seed banks are seed banks produced in nature. One scenario of naturally produced seed banks is when plants fall onto leaf litter. This is not a permanent method unlike its artificial counterpart. Artificial seed banks are man-made structures used for the sole purpose of preserving seeds over time. Artificial seed banks are useful in GMC production because if something goes wrong during the production of these crops, the crops can be scraped and a seed can be planted from a seed bank. Seed banks allow seeds to remain present and free from extinction over time. On ecological timelines, seed banks represent local “biodiversity reservoirs” that can contribute to plant population persistence and biodiversity maintenance through temporal storage effects, as well as population remnants. In conclusion, seed banks store various seeds from different times and places, thus ensuring biodiversity of future plants. Growth regulators are natural in seeds as they are responsible for seed germination. In seed banks, these growth regulators remain dormant and therefore disable the seeds' ability to germinate and therefore remain seeds. My views on GMC and seed banks I completely agree with the ethical issues surrounding GMC seeds and seed banks. I don't think GMC seeds should be conserved for the simple reason: what if scientists discovered that GMC seeds could be quite harmful to human and animal health and the government decided to abandon this method? If we stored seeds instead of the plant's original seed, we would not be able to reverse seed production.