...of genetic crop improvement.1 For decades, the industry has been mixing naturally the genetic traits of seeds in the search for particularly robust varieties. Genetically-modified (GM) seeds are a significant step forward in the production of agricultural crops. GM seeds are seeds that have been modified to contain specific characteristics such as resistance to herbicides (in the case of "Roundup Ready" products) or resistance to pests (in the case of Bt corn). But the method of modification used with GM seeds varies from the traditional method in an important respect: the genes have not been modified over generations of cross-fertilization, but rather inserted directly into the DNA of the seed.2 Although this method is more efficient, critics fear that the result — a "novel gene combination" — may have health or environmental impacts that are not being adequately addressed.3 As a result, the technology is surrounded by significant controversy. The reaction of farmers to this new technology has been mixed. Some farmers have quickly adopted the technology.4 Other farmers, mindful of the controversy surrounding GM products, have hesitated to use GM seeds as part of their agricultural operations. Farmers should understand both the benefits and concerns that are raised by the use of GM seeds. Benefits of the technology include increased crop yields, diminished use of pesticides and herbicides, and increased profits. Concerns that farmers should address before adopting...
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...Genetically Modified Foods Someone out there has probably wondered why their tomatoes which they bought at a supermarket, taste different than the tomatoes at a farmers market. Well to answer that curious person, the tomatoes from the supermarket are most likely Genetically Modified. Genetically Modified foods (GM foods) are organisms in which genetic material (DNA) have been altered in a way that is not natural. Basically they are inserting genes of another species into their DNA, the process is known as biotechnology. 45 percent of corn and 85 percent of soybean are genetically modified. Fulton states that “some 70-90 percent of processed food is genetically modified and has been that way for years” (“Politics Heating Up Over…”). The first GM plant was produced in 1983, an antibiotic resistant tobacco. In 1990 the first GM cotton was produced, from then on scientists and farms have tied to make everything genetically modified. It is important for people to understand what they are eating and how it was made. In the Agricultural Industry, GM foods are one of the biggest debates. There are so many reasons as to why GM foods are very controversial. Not only do they bring upon us many pro’s and con’s and are a well talked about topic in politics. The biggest issue is not whether or not we should genetically modified foods but rather if we should label it. In the United States, it is not a law that one must state if their food product is genetically modified or not. It should...
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...exception in America. Since their introduction in the 1990’s, genetically modified (GM) products have conquered agriculture in the United States and hold a large share of the food on American’s plates. (Dupont) Everyone has been exposed to it whether they know it or not. According to the US Department of agriculture by 2012, 88 percent of corn and 94 percent of soy grown in the United States were genetically modified. The purpose of this essay is to explain what genetically modified crop plants are, to discuss the social and ethical implications and to provide my personal view point. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are defined as organisms whose genome has been modified as genetic engineering. Transferring a gene from one species to another to provide an organism that is transgenic or a gene that may be altered and reinserted into an individual of the same species are the results of a genetically modified organism. Genes can be introduced into plant cells by way of electric or chemical shocks, by blasting them. The most common GMOs are bacteria and yeast, which have been modified to produce medically important proteins which has benefitted people with diabetes. (Starr, Evers, & Starr, 2013) GMOs or GM is used to refer to crop plants that are created for animal or human consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), GM technology enables plant breeders to bring together in one plant useful genes from...
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...Ethics and the Food Industry By: Diana Rhyne and John Hanley In early 2009, Peanut Corp. of America was discovered to have allowed Salmonella tainted peanuts to be distributed across the United States causing an outbreak that resulted illnesses in 714 people across 46 states with nine resulting in deaths ("Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", 2009). In this paper, we will explore the concept of corporate social responsibility and some of the current ethical dilemmas many corporations in the food industry face today. We will further discuss the many arguments (in favor of and in opposition to) these ethical dilemmas, or why these issues pose an ethical dilemma. Finally, we will examine the consequences of unethical behavior in the food industry and how consumer demand/behavior affects corporate decision-making. In the food industry, a corporation’s actions/inactions are often far reaching. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not a new concept. The idea that a business (or business person) should behave in an ethical and socially responsible manner has roots in Biblical times with the advent of usury laws. During the 1700s, Benjamin Franklin was an early advocate for business ethics, going so far as to form a club for young businessmen, tradesmen, and merchants to come together to discuss business philosophies and further their careers (Finamore, 2005: 35-38). CSR is generally based on the idea that companies...
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...definition, is a term denoting or derived from an organism whose DNA has been altered for the purpose of improvement or correction of defects. (dictionary.com) Genetically modified foods are foods that have been altered to enhance certain traits for the purpose of making them more desirable to consumers. Since the development of this process, modified foods have become more common throughout the years, and with their increase in production there has also been great controversy. History of Genetically Modified Foods In 1994, the first genetically modified food the Food and Drug Administration deemed safe enough for human consumption was a tomato called the “Flavr Savr,” produced in California. The purpose of altering the tomato was for it to be resistant to rotting and decaying as quickly as tomatoes usually do. They were not labeled as being genetically modified and they were between two and five time more expensive than ordinary tomatoes, but consumers still purchased them. However, due to competition, brought on by a tomato made conventionally and with a longer shelf life, the Flavr Savr tomatoes were not profitable. Genetically modified tomatoes were then made into a tomato puree and sold in Europe in the mid-1990s, but a couple years later controversy arose over the concept of genetically modifying food. In 1998, a doctor from Aberdeen, in Scotland, published results from a research study he conducted suggesting that genetically modified potatoes, injected with an insecticide...
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...GROUP C - Assignment Generically Modified Foods | Claire Draper | clairepdraper@gmail.com | Clemens Sassen | clemens.sassen@huijskensbickerton.com | Debra Hoelsaether | debrahoelsaether@gmail.com | Robert Heckert | r.heckert@sanquin.nl | WP | Word Count 1004 | Assignment Pages 1 - 3, incl. headings | Q&A | Word count 747 | Questions 1 – 5 , pages 4-5 | ------------------------------------------------- Genetically Modified Organisms – Consumer Health and Freedom of Choice As one of the world’s largest food companies, our mission is to provide consumers with the most nutritious choices in a wide range of food. We acknowledge consumers’ and stakeholders’ right to know which biotechnologies are being administered in the food industry, resulting in the products they purchase. It is equally important for producers and stakeholders to understand what present-day biotechnology is capable of and to establish the opportunities these capabilities present. Nestlé acknowledges the growing debate amongst stakeholders and consumers about potential issues associated with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). With this connection established, and taking lessons from past issues, such as labelling and traceability of GM foods in several Asian countries in 2002 and 2003, we recognize the importance for consumers worldwide to purchase food products based on labelling information. As a consumer goods company, we openly engage with consumers’ concerns and opt to provide transparency...
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...Genetically Modified Foods: The Social Considerations Genetically modified foods are quicker and easier to grow which is why most producers think this is the more efficient way to produce food. This issue is being researched because consumers opinions are not coming into play as much as they should be within genetically modified foods corporations. This is important because consumers are what make or break the product. By not listening to the consumers and answering their needs, how will the producers know how to make their product better and more consumer friendly? Consumers everywhere all hear about genetically modified products and have lots of questions. Sometimes questions can be answered, but sometimes they can be ignored. It can be hard...
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...modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Examples in food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, or resistance to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance to a herbicide), or improving the nutrient profile of the crop. Examples in nonfood crops include production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful goods, as well as for bioremediation. Farmers have widely adopted GM technology. Between 1996 and 2013, the total surface area of land cultivated with GM crops increased by a factor of 100, from 17,000 square kilometers (4,200,000 acres) to 1,750,000 km2 (432 million acres).10% of the world's croplands were planted with GM crops in 2010.There is general scientific and legal agreement that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food. GM crops also provide a number of ecological benefits. However, opponents have objected to GM crops per se on several grounds, including environmental concerns, whether food produced from GM crops is safe, whether GM crops are needed to address the world's food needs, and economic concerns raised by the fact these organisms are subject to intellectual property law. From my sources...
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...longer lives as well as aiding infertile couples with creating children that otherwise would not have been born. Perhaps the biggest problem that humans face in their lives is how to quickly produce enough food to support a growing population. “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that the world will have to grow 70 percent more food by 2050 just to keep up with population growth. Climate change will make much of the world's land more difficult to farm” (Freedman, 2013). In addition to feeding the American people, farmers in the United States are also supplying food to the rest of the world. While Americans tend to over consume and waste much of the blessing that they have been given, there are thousands of people all over the world struggling to get enough food to keep themselves alive. While America has plenty of struggling citizens who find themselves homeless and in need of assistance in order to feed themselves, other countries have their population declining because the citizens in those countries have nowhere to turn for the help they need. “The United States is the world’s largest supplier of food aid, reaching fifty-five million people in forty-six countries last year” (Baragona, 2011). Genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material has been modified in a way that does not naturally occur (World Health Organization, 2014). It allows individual genes to be transferred from one organism to another...
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...MODIFIED FOOD Introduction Today we use food that come from plants and animal modified by human through breeding, undergoing genetic changes from many thousand years. Plants and animals which have desire characteristics were chosen for breeding new generation. Desired characteristics arose from naturally occurring variations in genes of plants and animals. Hence genetic modification occurs naturally and forms the base of evolution. Techniques used today to modify genes provide new ways to identify special characteristics and transfer them in plants and animals. For example, it is now easy to make copy gene of an organism and insert it another organism for desire characters. The resulting plants and animals has...
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...Technical Aspect of GMO by Chad Dookie Description of GMOs and the associated science Most of the populations that do shopping in the groceries to buy food for their family are not aware of the “naturalness” of the food. Groceries sell items such as; cotton seeds, rice, soy, sugar beets, yeast, cassava, papaya, bananas, food flavoring, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, squash, oils, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, peas, alfalfa, and honey. Notice that most of the items listed either came from a plant or an animal. Those are the top 20 grocery items that have been genetically modified. What are genetically modified organisms? A genetically modified organism is any living thing that has had their DNA tampered with. This can be mutating, removing, or adding genetic material into the organism. All of the items listed in paragraph one has had their DNA tampered with. Most times when people talk about genetically modified organisms, they mostly refer to plants that are genetically modified. You may be wondering how the animals listed are considered genetically modified. This is because scientists modify the plants that are being fed to the animals. This causes the DNA in the animals to also get tampered with. There are ways, for example, to feed chicken so that they are stronger and they get more meat in them. The way to do this is to modify the foods they eat and put something in the plant’s DNA to make these chickens stronger. Scientists can also directly modify the DNA of the animal also, instead...
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...Genetically Modified foods are foods that are altered through introducing plants and other organisms with genes that do not naturally exist inside it, or are from another organism. This technique is used to change the content of the plant. This is done by taking the preferred genes out of one organism, and placing it in the genetic make up of another to get a satisfactory result. Then it is tested to be approved and to be sold to farmers. There are many arguments that can be made about this political issue including whether or not it should be used, if so how to regulate it, should it be labeled, is it safe, is it morally and ethically acceptable, what are the repercussions, and could it help our economy and others? It’s extremely important to understand the issues in todays’ society as they affect our children and us, and here I will guide you through my unbiased conclusions on the issue. It was first discovered in 1946 that it was entirely possible to transfer genetics between organisms, but wasn’t accomplished in plants until 1983. It was used to create a tobacco plant that was resistant to antibiotics. It was then that a domino effect like cycle was created as scientists began making tomatoes that would delay ripening after being picked, squash that was resistant to viruses, and soybeans resistant to herbicides. In 2011 the US had 25 genetically modified crops that were allowed to be commercially sold in stores without labels, and today 85% of corn, most soybeans, and just...
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...Genetically Modified Foods June 4, 2012 SCI 220 Although not widely publicized, genetically modified foods have been in our food supply for decades. Genetically modified foods are engineered to benefit and protect the food supply by providing an abundant supply of crops that may repel insects without the need for pesticides and less expensive crops that maintain freshness for longer. There are also disadvantages in using genetically modified foods because the genetically modified version of the food may differ from the original food, losing its nutritional value or creating an allergen. The continuous study and regulation of genetically modified foods will protect the food supply and the people who consume it. Since the onslaught of pesticide use and environmental concerns, genetically modified foods have made its way into grocery stores and supermarkets. The “Bionet” (n.d.) website states, “Genetically modified food products are plants that have had their genetic characteristics altered. Scientists change the plants' characteristics by putting new genetic material into them, genes for example from a bacterium which can withstand pesticides.” Without knowing, Americans consume GM foods daily. Most people are unaware of the modifications in their food because the United States, unlike Australia, does not require a GM food label to identify whether or not the food is modified or not (Berry, 2012). According to Berry (2012), “Determining...
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...GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEBATE: DESIGNING PROGRAMS TO MITIGATE RISKS MOYE BONGYU University of Dschang, Cameroon GLORIA BILLINGSLEY Walden University MUSTAFA YOUNIS EMEKA NWAGWU Jackson State University ABSTRACT Human health is determined by both natural and artificial factors, amongst which what people consume is a critical variable. There is no consensus about the likely effects of the Genetically Modified foods/organisms (GMOs), but the fact remains that their effects on health are risky and highly unpredictable especially with the globalization tendency. The purpose of this study is to examine how the GMOs risks to public health can be reduced by policymakers enhancing public confidence in the GM foods. The Precaution Adoption Model (PAPM) has been selected to tackle this health problem. This model has been described and evaluation strategies analyzed on the basis of which success can be determined. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Human health is determined by both natural and artificial factors, amongst which what people consume is a critical variable. The proliferation of genetically modified (GM) food in the marketplace has resulted in heated public debate, scientific discussion and media coverage about their safety. Formerly, the use of selective breeding was commonplace but this was a sluggish and unreliable Public Administration & Management Volume 13, Number 3, 191-217 192 method. Genetic engineering now allows scientists to insert specific...
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...The Safety of “Frankenfoods” Debora Petit ENG/102 June 24, 2014 Jason Greer The Safety of Frankenfoods In a world that will have an estimated population of approximately 9.6 billion people by the year 2050 (United Nations Department Of Economic And Social Affairs, 2013), growing enough food becomes a great concern. As the population grows, the amount of available farmland decreases. This phenomenon inspired companies, such as Monsanto and Novartis, to find a way to help farmers increase the yields from crops while also increasing their own profits. By genetically modifying food crops such as soy and corn, insect resistance and crop yield can be improved. However, studies conducted after government approval in the U.S. indicate that genetically modified (GM) foods can cause harmful side effects not only to humans but also to the environment. During the 1950’s, scientists found the basis for genetic modification when they discovered chemicals that “could cut and duplicate pieces of DNA” (Chapman, 2010, para. 2). Genetic modification occurs when the DNA from one species is inserted into the DNA of another species. For example, the gene that allows an Arctic fish not to freeze in sub-zero waters could be inserted into a tomato plant to make it frost resistant. Without the ability to cut pieces of DNA, these genes could not be transferred. The process evolved with the discovery of a germ that could transfer DNA into plants. Cells contain a natural defense mechanism that...
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