...Writing 122 Kristy Bryant-Berg Negative Effects of GMO’s The age of technology is upon us. In fact, the United States is so deeply entrenched in technology that our lives will be influenced and changed forever because of the technology revolution. Technological advancements come at us so quickly in the United States that we barely have time to absorb and understand the changes before the next changes are upon us. One of the most recent technological advancements is the development of GMO’s, or Genetically Modified Organisms. GMO’s are being used to develop our crops and everyday food, causing many consumers to worry about the effects of GMO’s on our health, environment, and our ecosystem. Questions are being raised as to whether GMO technologies have more negative or positive effects both now and in the future. The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’S) in our crops is more detrimental than it is beneficial because GMO’s have possible negative environmental and health impacts and the consequences of using GMO’s is unknown and unpredicted. The benefits of using Genetically Modified Organism’s in our crops do not compare with the possible detrimental impacts on our environment and ecosystem, health, and the future of our planet. The use of GMO’s in food production is creating major environmental concerns both to the FDA and consumers. Unknown and unstudied chemicals that are being put into our environment with the GMO’s leave us uncertain about the damage being caused....
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...Farmers worldwide use genetically modified organisms to increase the production of their crops and consequently the profit that they make. Scientists produce them by inserting genes from one organism into the genetic material of another one, modifying it so that the plant is more resistant to climate changes or pesticides and herbicides and so that it produces more yield. There is a lot of controversy on this field of genetic engineering and some scientist debate that GMO’s may be hazardous for humans and that we shouldn’t tamper with the DNA of other organisms created by nature. Although many studies have been carried out, none have given us the suspicion or the proof needed to say that they are harmful to our health or to the environment, they may be the only solution we have to feed the rapidly growing population and to protect our crops from the unstable climate. Most crops harvested in the USA are GMOs, 88% of all the corn, 93% of the soy and 94% of the cotton and almost all cows are fed with them, yet Americans do not have health problems because of this. According to some scientists GMOs have subtle, long-term effects on man’s health and it will take a while for us to notice them but there is no reason to believe this and already more than thirty years have passed since we started eating genetically modified food. A group of agricultural...
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...increasing year by year and is also predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come. Scientists find that GM foods promise to meet this need and it has been more and more popular not only for the producers but also for the consumers because of its numerous advantages such as pest resistance, lower price, more nutrition and so on. Although it is undeniable that GMO’s (genetically-modified organisms) still have some challenges to overcome including environmental hazards, human health risks and influence on the food chain of our ecosystem, the development of GMO’s will not be stopped since these difficulties are slight. Scientists find that GMO’s promise to meet the needs of a growing population, and has become increasingly popular with producers and consumers a like because of its numerous advantages such as pest resistance, decrease in price, nutritional value and more. But what are GMO’s and GM Food? GMO’s and GM Food are plants that have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through breeding. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. For example, plant geneticists can isolate a gene responsible for drought tolerance and insert...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms Should not be allowed in our foods today. The debate over Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are starting to become more of a hot topic and is now not a secret that GMO-ed foods have spread out rapidly to the whole world. Government officials should take the proper steps to ensure our countries safety and not allow GMO’s in our foods today, and if it is needed, labeling should be mandatory. Even though it is banned in other countries, our government is still allowing the United Stated to continue with GMO cropping and without labeling it. We should know why it is harmful to our health and how we can prevent it. GMOs could cause health issues, create allergies, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems. First, GMOs are harmful to our health. Second, these crops can lead to contaminated organic crops, and serious destruction of the environment, which could also lead to toxins and allergens surrounding us. Third, there are some companies that intend to monopolize market-foods, which work with GMOs. Finally, labeling should be a very important factor in the GMO industry, to ensure people would recognize how dangerous GMO’s are for us. GMOs are special organisms in which the genetic material has been altered for improvement productivity and product quality. First, Research and studies show that GMOs could be very harmful. Through manipulating our crops our health is at a serious risk. “Numerous health problems increased after GMOs were introduced...
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...stereotypes about obesity in the United States, food has become a major issue. Almost 90% of the food that we consume is unhealthy and full of chemicals. Now that a few people are aware of this, they are switching to organic food which doesn't contain any of these harmful and unhealthy substances. Organic food is simply the food that isn't grown with the help of harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and growth hormones. Be it acted by the 9th grade House of Representatives of Wayzata High School that organic food should be introduced and served to all of the people living in the United States regardless of their income. This is because they are healthier and can prevent cancer and obesity, help our local economy and...
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...Thesis: Genetically engineered crops, food, organism are harmful to not only the environment, but can also cause harm to the human body and therefore should not be produced or allowed. R1: GMOs costing farmers more because of regulations and patients. Large organizations have put in effort to prevent farmer from using the leftover seeds from the previous season in their crops. Farmer did this to save a great deal of money, but once patients and copyrights started being placed on the GMSs (Genetically Modified Seeds) farmers had to buy new see every time they would replant their crops. Many farmer weren’t able to keep up with the repurchasing of seed that they went out of business and lost their land. (Ledford, Heidi.) R2: GMOs can have later effect on the human body....
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... Some people regard genetically modified wheat and corn for their drought resistance and ability to feed millions of people in parts of the world that desperately need food. The other side of the argument stems from unwanted side effects caused by GMOs such as the creation of herbicide-resistant super weeds to the loss of biodiversity and uncontrollable transfer of modified genes into the environment (Whitman 4). The benefits vs. risks that GMO’s pose in regard to the environment and human health are still inconclusive. Only rigorous scientific research and time will yield conclusive results, along with possible advancements in technology that will help address most concerns. What is clear is that we need GMO’s to be able to feed the world’s population and that the potential risk GMO’s pose to human health and the environment can vary tremendously. The labeling of GM food is necessary will address the question of accountability of the impact GMO’s and large corporations have with their “proprietary crops” to the environment and health, along with minimizing potential risk. The argument that corporate driven agriculture and bio technology are ill suited to address global hunger is incredibly complex; the factors include economic barriers that are inherent in large scale farming, displacement of the poor who rely on farming, and the use of homogenous crops that are used in nonfood products. As complex...
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...In the essay by Pamela Ronald, “The truth About GMOs”, Ronald talks about how genetically modified organisms are safe to consume. There are no reasons why GMOs are unsafe, “Genetically engineered crops currently on the market are as safe to eat and safe for the environment as organic or conventional foods.” GMOs have been around for many years and not a single person has died from them. Over the years people have been changing and modifying crops left and right trying to creating stronger and more durable crops to withstand insects and diseases. GMOs are safe for consumption and great for the human population growth because without GMOs people would have an even more serious issue with hunger in the world. With the help of GMOs, farmers are able to use less pesticides on plants allowing the crops to be less harmful and toxic to our environment and to us. With modifying crops they can create them to be resistant to pests and other things, “Genetic engineering can be used not only to combat pests and diseases, but also to enable farmers to use less harmful chemicals to control cropchoking weeds.” Using a lot of herbicide is more dangerous and harmful than genetically modifying crops. Scientists found a better way to help the environment by creating GMOs. In many ways using less herbicide helps the planet, thus helping the people. Using less means less toxins in the air and it allows all of the beneficial insects to live while the bad insects die. There are many useful...
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...latest molecular biology techniques” (Whitman). The goal of modifying these organisms is to enhance or introduce a desired trait, such as increased resistance to herbicides or improving the nutritional content of the particular organism. This is generally done in a lab using a “Gene Gun” or an Agrobacterium method as described in detail in the next section. However, as convenient and simple as this idea sounds, there are many concerns that will more than likely change the course of future modifications in organisms. First, I'll be describing the methods used to date to modify the genetic composition of an organism. Then, I'll be highlighting the benefits and the potential consequences of genetically-modifying organisms. SCIENCE BEHIND GMO'S Upon researching, I discovered an interesting fact about genetically modified organism's: it has apparently occurred in nature for millions of years through a species called Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which turns out is the cause of crown gall diseases in many ornamental and fruit plants (Keefer). Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a species of soil-dwelling bacteria that has the ability to infect plant cells with a piece of its own DNA. “The Agrobacterium tumefaciens cell contains two DNA containing structures; a bacterial chromosome and another structure known as a Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid” (Keefer). According to University of Washington microbiologists, Agrobacterium only infects a plant that has become wounded, either in the plant's roots...
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...Genetically Modified foods - Evils or Friends Genetically Modified Foods (or GM foods) are produced from organisms in which specific changes are introduced into their DNA through the methods of genetic engineering. Genetically Modified crops are available commercially since 1994. Majority of the gene modification of foods have primarily focused on cash crops which are in high demand such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. These crops have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and better nutrient profiles (Wikipedia). According to an article by author Robert Shields, more than 26 percent of the cotton, 40 percent of the soybean acreage in the US was planted with GM crops containing gene for herbicide resistance by the year 1998. The application of Agri-biotechnology has increased by 60 fold since 1996 and by 2015 it is predicted that in about 40 countries more than 200 million hectares of lands will be planted by biotech crops (Maghari 1). The invention of agricultural biotechnology has caused social and ethical contradictions. There are extensive debates active in scientific circles as to how modern biotechnology can be used for planting high quality of high yield crops to meet the challenge of feeding the ever increasing population while protecting the ecosystem and human health. Genetically Modified Foods (GM Foods) have made a big splatter in the news lately. Environmental organizations and public interest groups have been actively protesting...
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...to know The era that we now live in is so big that farmers are using Genetically modified foods (GMO) to help make more produce for the society("20 Quotes About”). There are benefits from GMOS but there are also consequences of the GMO’S. The only thing they tell you about the GMOS is the side effects that are not harmful to the body. They make the produce taste and look better than the organic foods that do not have the GMOS on it. The people deserve the right to know if the food is being genetically modified or not. The first thing I want to address is the benefits of the GMOS. The GMOS help farmers produce more product and they help kill the weeds that grow in the fields. Some people are saying that they GMOS help the body absorb some the vitamins we need in are body to make are body healthy ("PolicyMic."). Fourteen states have now tried to legislated a law that shows which foods are genetically modified and the risks that involves the food modifications. California is trying to follow the legislation in becoming the fifteenth state. People say we do not need to know what is modified or not because the food we eat no matter what has bacteria on them ("PolicyMic."). Henry Miller pointed out that the GMOS help crops grow in harsh environments produce less water and less carbon oxide ("PolicyMic."). The GMOS help produce cheaper food in huge amounts and in a suitable manner. Companies do not want the consumers to know about the genetically modified food because it could traumatize...
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...Parker Gross MKTG 495 Case #3 – Monsanto I: Situation Analysis Monsanto is a company that some people may not be explicitly familiar with on a first name basis. However, the work that the company has done over the last century, with a larger emphasis on its most recent ventures, have been deeply engrained in our lives, our food, and our economy. Monsanto has those who advocate on their behalf in addition to their naysayers. While Monsanto has made huge strides in terms of biotechnology over the last couple of decades, their accomplishments, and the relevant methods, have not been free of criticism and controversy. In order to analyze Monsanto’s corporate environment, it is important to first explore their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats through conducting a SWOT analysis. <Insert Exhibit 1 Here (See end of file)> Now that Monsanto’s internal and external environments have been analyzed through the SWOT analysis featured in Exhibit 1, it is necessary to determine what information is still necessary, and what assumptions might need to be made in order to be better-informed to make a decision. II: Assumptions and Missing Information The first piece of information that comes to mind that is only briefly mentioned in the case but that is very important to know about is the availability of alternatives and the presence of competitors. Considering that Monsanto held a considerable market share and sold a staggering majority of GMO crops at the time...
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...Linda Covarrubias Elaina Westegaard ENG-123-X1530 17 November 2015 How Are GMOs Affecting the Environment and Our Health? Food has been one of the basic needs since the birth of a person. History shows that the production of food only consisted of hunting, harvesting, and farming. During these times, it usually took a long time before these foods arrived at the dining tables of families. However, today, technology has allowed the mass production of food. Unfortunately, the market has taken advantage of technology, not letting us know how food is made, leading to the birth of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GMOs are widely used in most foods today. Though most people are unaware of this, GMOs even exist in some of their favorite food products. Many reports tell that diseases, such as E-Coli and Salmonella, have been caught from GM-foods. Furthermore, researchers and doctors believe that GMOs carry a huge risk; although, some scientists claim that GMOs are completely safe for human consumption. GMOs should be banned because they have a negative impact on human health, and potential risks on the environment. Although GMOs were only introduced in 1996, the side effects can already be seen: there have been increased allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria and other toxic hazards. While these side effects of GMOs may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, the lasting effects can be much more drastic. More and more children are having life-threatening allergies...
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...Why Corporate Social Responsibility Matters (BU041) INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT #1: (Claire.Jin) * * * * * * * * * Table of Contents Executive summary 2 Introduction 3 Question 1: Efficacy of Monsanto’s Ethical Culture 4 Question 2: Costs and Benefits of Growing GMO seed 5 Question 3: Management of Harm with Plants and Animals 6 Question 4: Visit Monsanto website, what is CSR and Sustainability Strategy of Monsanto, and give suggestions for its strategy for Monsanto Company? 8 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 * * Executive summary Monsanto is one of the world’s largest industrial agriculture businesses, especially focusing on genetically modified products. Monsanto has obtained a progress in corporate responsibility, but Monsanto has deficiencies with ethical culture. Monsanto is in a difficult position, because the products are highly specialized and therefore most consumers do not understand them. Although, Environmental and health issues aside, Monsanto’s GM seeds provide an opportunity for farmers to increase profits by allowing them to grow crops on land that would not support traditional seeds. ...
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...positive attributes. However, GMOs also have adverse effects on animals, the environment and the health of the consumer. In order to understand why GMOs have these effects, it is important to know exactly what a GMO is and how these differ from the normal breeding farmers have done for years. The Free Dictionary defines a GMO as “An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered using the techniques of genetic engineering.” It goes on to explain that modern science has the ability to modify the genetic makeup of plants and animals. Scientists can even transfer genes from one species to another. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/genetically+modified+organism Advocates of genetically modified organisms say that the use of the gmos could end world hunger they also say we could create plants and animals that are resistant to disease and tolerant to pesticides. They can also engineer plants to be drought resistant. They argue these changes would stop famine because the plants could naturally resist. The proponents use pathos to convince people they have the answer to world hunger. They show you pictures starving people around the world and tell you their “improved” seeds make hunger go away. Perhaps it could but the studies do not prove that yet. In fact, the only feeding study done with humans showed that GMOs survived inside the stomach of the people eating GMO food. This does not mean it is safe for our consumption. No other follow-up studies were done to determine the long...
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