English 1301

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Lam 1

Lam 5

Jennifer Lam

Professor Matter

ENGL-1301-83420

March 1, 2018

A gene’s purpose

The world’s population is constantly increasing by the day, our world’s population has grown from 1.5 to 6.1 billion in just 100 years. Scientists have been creating genetically modified foods since 1996. The benefits of GMOs are endless including the goal of reducing hunger all around the world. Genetically modified [GM] crops also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), GE crops or biotech crops include one or more genes from another organism, such as bacterium or other microbe or other plant species. (Thompson) Companies like the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture insure that the GM crops are safe to eat. However, hypothesis tend to persuade critics to overlook the benefits of GMO foods. The creation of these genetically modified foods can decrease the use of pesticides, increase health, and most importantly prevent world hunger.

It is a part of our weekly routine to go grocery shopping, but we often forget that the vegetables and fruits have to come from somewhere besides our local grocery stores. Our crops are meant to be grown from the dirt and taken care of by farmers. They are constantly trying to grow crops as fast as possible to provide for the high number of consumers. According to the article "Genetically Modified Foods Are Safe to Eat" by Tamara Thompson GM crops can improve yields for farmers, reduce draws on natural resources and fossil fuels and provide nutritional benefits. (Thompson) GMO crops and animals require less time, chemicals and machinery which reduces pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion. Farmers benefit by saving money on buying new land and pesticide sprays because the GM crop is induced with a gene called bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis which provides the plant with a protein that kills the insect. GM foods can be induced with genes from other species providing more vitamin and nutrients which can help improve our health. With GM foods we can limit the pollution in our environment and consume food with more nutrients.

In addition to health benefits, GM potatoes that don’t bruise and apples that don’t brown have been approved by the U.S. and in Canada. Scientist are discovering numerous amount of ways to promote human health in GM foods. Ideas that can encourage customers to acknowledge how GM foods can improve life. The new higher quality foods are unexpected. Cancer-fighting pink pineapples, heart-healthy purple tomatoes and less fatty vegetable oils, among other products, could receive government approval in the coming years. (Jalonick) The pink pineapples were approved by the US in 2015, and they contain the tomato-based pigment lycopene, which is antioxidant that might help prevent cancer. The Golden Rice and SDA oil are game changers. The Golden rice is genetically modified with beta-carotene, the source of vitamin A. The creation of the Golden Rice was inspired by the lack of nutrition in the rice in Asia and Africa. The rice is a symbol of an idea that GM crops can be a tool to improve the lives of the poor. SDA (stearidonic acid) in AHIFLOWER Oil is more efficient than the fatty acid found in fish oil. SDA’s are more corresponsive to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) which increases the conversion rate. Moreover, studies have shown that consuming SDA can help maintain heart health through conversion to EPA in the body after ingestion, leading to more tissue enrichment with beneficial omega-3s. (Technomedia) The creativity has just peeked we can find new ways to prevent cancer and become healthier overall.

Not only can GMO food increase nutrients, the biotech has a chance of saving industries from going extinct. “Genetic engineering was used to save the Hawaiian Rainbow papaya from a deadly virus which threatened to wipe out the crop, and the industry.” (Alliance) With the help of the genetic modification the fruit was saved from being wiped out. Recusing the fruit from further existence expanded the life span which helped prevent hunger from occurring. With the acceptance of GM crops we can encourage the use to prevent the loss of other crops.

Genetically modified foods are beneficially evolving, but critics are in doubt because of the unknown long term affects from GM foods. Studies according to the National Center for Health Statistics over the increase of allergies from 3.4 to 5.1 percent gives a plausible reason to be against GMO foods. For example, if a protein from an organism that caused an allergic reaction is added to something that previously didn't, it may prompt a new allergic reaction. (Mandel) GMO foods are unpredictable, we are unsure of the affects until we consume GMO foods for ourselves. Although, we are not aware with the allergic risk that GMO foods can cause there are labels for GMO foods and NON-GMO foods that can prevent a person from taking an allergic risk.

Another possible long-term affect would be cross contamination from GM crops. Billy Hunter, an independent organic inspector based in Iowa, says corn is so highly susceptible to pollen drift that he estimates that “25 percent or more of organic feed corn available is GMO contaminated even that used by the major organic dairy producers and about 6% of organic and conventional soybean feed also contains GMOs.” (Monson) The contamination can pose a threat to NON-GMO and organic producers and consumers. GM foods can cause a negative impact on agriculture messing up the food chain. Fortunately, there are cross contamination products that can be bought. The product is called Bacillus thuringiensis pesticide they are allowed in organic agriculture. Mary-Howell Martens, an organic farmer recommends that producers should buy probiotics from companies that are committed to organic production. She also gives friendly advice to organic farmers, “look at the equipment use and risks and make a plan to reduce them.” (Monson) The affects of GM foods are unsolved for, but they can easily be avoided by simply not purchasing a product that pertain GM ingredients. All GM foods are labeled so they cannot be mistaken for an organic or non-GMO food.

GM foods have been producing and improving for centuries, decreasing the chances of world hunger, reducing pollution caused by pesticides, and boosting health benefits in foods. The crops with GM traits are tested more than any other crops insuring that they cause no harm to human or animals. The unknown long-term effects may cause some hesitation to non-GMO or organic believers, but the GM producers believe in longevity, so they are constantly considering the environmental and health effects. We should all support the organizations that produce GM foods they are thinking about the lives of every single living organism by finding new ways to improve life.

Works Cited

Monsanto Corporation. "Genetically Modified Foods Are Safe to Eat." Genetically Modified Food, edited by Tamara Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2015. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://dcccd.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010259242/OVIC?u=txshracd2500&xid=48f49200. Accessed 6 Mar. 2018. Originally published as "Commonly Asked Questions About the Food Safety of GMOs,", 2014.

Jalonick, Mary Clare. “Next-Generation GMOs: Pink pineapples and purple tomatoes.” Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology, PHYS.ORG, 1 Apr. 2015, phys.org/news/2015-04-next-generation-gmos-pink-pineapples-purple.html.

“About SDA.” Ahiflower, ahiflower.com/about-sda/.

“What Are the benefits of GMOs, Both Today and in the Future?” Food Dialogues, www.fooddialogues.com/article/benefits-gmos-today-future/.

Monson, Dale . “GMOs in agricultural inputs pose risks to organic, non-GMO farms.” GMOs in agricultural inputs pose risks to organic, non-GMO farms, www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/may06/gmo_risks_for_organic_farms.php.