...food for this ever growing world?” This complex and global question can be answered in three words, genetically modified organisms. Also known as GMOs, such organisms have the power to positively influence society in many ways. Genetically engineered crops have a positive effect on society because they are safe to consume, they benefit the economy, and they give farmers the ability to produce more with less land. Biology researchers define GMOs as “an organism...
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...AgBioForum – Volume 3, Number 1 – 2000 – Pages 53-57 LABELING POLICY FOR GMOS: TO EACH HIS OWN?1 Julie A. Caswell1 GMO labeling policy for foods is under intense development. Countries are choosing mandatory labeling or adherence to voluntary labeling. Challenges to mandatory labeling are unlikely to be successful under current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Marketers and trade negotiators should recognize this and move toward living with diversity in labeling policy. Keywords: GMOs; biotechnology; labeling policy; trade disputes. We are at another important crossroads on the path that will determine the market acceptance of foods produced with the use of biotechnology. Individual governments are managing a range of policies that affect biotechnology, including those on research and development, intellectual property rights, regulatory approval (safety assessment), and labeling requirements. They are taking divergent policy paths that make for market uncertainty. At the same time, companies are announcing their intentions regarding the use or non-use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their products. These intentions make the market less uncertain for sales to those companies but raise the stakes in predicting the choices of other companies. Labeling policy for food products is currently under intense development in several countries. What are the basic requirements for such labeling programs and what policies are countries adopting? What ...
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...proponents of GMO labeling believe, GMOs actually bring with them many benefits, some of which are already being seen. With the increase of genetically modified corn and soybeans in the united states, the amount of chemical usage has been greatly reduced, and farmers have made more money because they don’t have to buy pesticides (Lusk and Miller 2). GMOs also have promising benefits for solving the problems of the future. Out of the 7.5 billion people in the world today, nearly 1 billion are starving. The number of starving people is estimated to increase to an amount of 10 billion by 2050 (Mosely 578). The United Nations estimates that in 2050, the world will need to have increased its food production by 70% to keep up...
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...Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops Genetically modified crops (GMOs) have been around for a long time. The first time the world was introduced to this world changing form of crop was in 1986. This is when a GMO for of tobacco was tested in Belgium. Not far after, in 1987, the first GMOs were introduced to the United States. The two GMOs that were introduced were tobacco as well as tomatoes. In 1992 the FDA declared the altered crops "not inherently dangerous", so they don’t need special regulations (1). The list of benefits that follow suit with GMO not only help the farmer but also the consumer. GMO crops are known to produce bigger yields. This allows the farmer to get more efficient use out of his land. Iowa State University observed 377 fields that grew Bt corn (GM) and non-GM corn. The fields with GM seeds yielded 160.4 bushels corn per field, while crops grown from fields of non-GM seeds yielded 147.7 bushels of corn per field (2). Genetically modified crops are also known to have better texture flavor, and nutritional value compared to non-GMO crops. For example, in Asia, many people suffer from the lack of many key vitamins. One of those is vitamin A. The majority people cant afford to eat properly, so scientists created a GMO version of rice to help supply the people with this vitamin they were missing. They took a gene from a carrot and implemented it into the common white rice, thus creating golden rice. It is a cheap way for the people of Asia to get vitamin...
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...It is like something out of a sci-fi movie; Scientists injecting genes from an animal into the genes of a plant in order to create one super crop. As weird as this may sound, it is exactly what’s going on now, and these super crops are known as Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs. These crops are becoming more and more accepted in today’s agriculture business. This type of bioengineering is being used to yield more crops and curb the effects of herbicides. But the risks in using GMOs may far outweigh the benefits. GMO foods are becoming increasingly available and are a threat to our health and our agricultural system. Basically GMOs are organisms that have had their genes altered through bio-engineering. These plants and/or animals have their genetic makeup changed, usually in a lab, in order to add or remove certain characteristics. Genes from other animals, viruses, or bacteria are artificially inserted into organisms in order to create new organisms that would not occur naturally. Corn, for example, has been genetically modified to produce its own pesticide and resist herbicides. Nearly 70% of all the corn grown in the United States was modified in this way. (Smith) And if you look at the ingredient list of almost any packaged food, you’ll see that there is corn in almost all of it. Corn is also the main ingredient in much of the feed given to farm animals, such as pigs and cows. So no matter what you eat, it is almost certain to contain some amount GM (Genetically...
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... | |GMOs: Genetically Modified Organisms | |EN1420 | | | | | | | | | GMOs: Genetically Modified Organisms What is a GMO, also known as genetically modified organisms? Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are any organism that has had its genetic material doctored using genetic engineering techniques. Genetically modified foods find their origin in GMOs as well as many other goods available today. For those of you unaware, uninformed, or even misinformed here are the basics of your everyday GMO. The rather primitive process engineers volatile compounds of plants, animals, bacteria’s and viral genes that would not otherwise occur naturally or through long established methods. GMOs currently make up close to 80% of our...
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...The Harmful Effects of GMOs According to Philips, altering the genomes plants and animals is nothing new; specific traits have long been selected artificially in order to produce the desire result; i.e. sweet corn or hairless cats (2008). However, these variations have been limited in that only naturally occurring variations have been used (Philips, 2008). In recent years, researchers have crossed the line from the natural to the unnatural; advances in the field of genetic engineering have allowed researchers to have complete control over what genetic changes take place and what the final product will look like, taste like, feel like, etc. Philips indicates that with modern technology, “…we can incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species…optimizing agricultural performance or facilitating the production of valuable pharmaceutical substances.” While there are quite a few areas are subject to genetic engineering, the most common areas include: farm animals, bacteria, and crop plants such as corn, apples, soybeans, etc. Tyson reveals that GM ingredients, which take the form of modified enzymes, are found in many daily eating staples such as breads, cereals, vegetable oils, cheese, sodas, and beers (2001). The overwhelming presence of GMOs and GM ingredients have created quite a controversy in recent years. Essentially, the use of GM ingredients and GMOs have produced an argument which questions the morality and effects of such processes and products...
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...Monsanto Case Study Liberty University Business 472-D02 Introduction Monsanto has a long and varied history having been founded in 1901. It started by selling the sweetener saccharine to Coca-Cola, transformed itself into a chemical manufacturer, plastics, rubbers, and packaging (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2013, p.382-383). Fast forward to the late 20th and early 21st century and Monsanto is the worldwide leader in genetically modified (GM) food seeds. Through these various incarnations Monsanto has run into its share of ethical problems that has cost it some hard earned trust of governing bodies and consumers worldwide, but continues to prosper none the less. Monsanto has a very fine line to walk in keeping the highest ethical standards, finding ways to continuously innovate products that help to feed the world, and do this causing the absolute minimum damage to the environment at large as well as animals. All this must be done and still produce a profit that shareholders demand. Monsanto and the Culture of its Ethics Monsanto has a long history of ethical business violations that has resulted in fines from a multitude of American and International governmental agencies. The company has had issues with some of its products dating back to the 1940’s. Brian Tokar lists a string of products manufactured by Monsanto such as Dioxin, Agent Orange, Roundup, and others that has caused the company more than a headache or two. In reference to a train derailment and subsequent...
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...that bowl of Campbell’s condensed tomato soup is high fructose corn syrup – one of the top GMOs being used today in food products in the United States. According to the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply as well as educating consumers, nearly 88% of all corn planted in the United States is GMO. So what exactly is a GMO? A GMO, or genetically modified organism, takes place in the laboratory. It is a process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. “Genetic modification” could never occur in nature; however, two GM traits – herbicide resistance and pesticide production – are now commonplace in American agriculture....
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...gaining popularity and notice. GMOs are foods that have been genetically modified by changing and switching around the DNA. Are we using the benefit of GMOs wisely, or may we seem to go far? If we continue this process will it potentially harm us, or benefit us? First of all, in the article Genetically Modified Organisms it mentions, “...genetically modified crops and animals will also be more environmentally friendly because they conserve water, soil, and energy.” She also mentions, “...animals also are expected to have a higher resistance to disease and overall better health, with better natural waste management.” Therefore, our animals are helping our environment, but as well as adapting to beneficial health. Animals will help our environment by conserving necessary needs for any living organism. Also, since the resistance to disease has increased, we will experience a wonderful environment. Since animals are expected to have better health and well-being we can expect “better” milk, eggs, meat, etc. and if we take consideration...
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... “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 traits for GMOs that go beyond just insect repellant...
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...Scientists believe that the use of GMOs as they are commonly referred to, is the way forward for governments and other organizations that are concerned with food security issues (Nelson 58). Scientists believe that GMOs can feed everyone in the world. However, this can only be achieved if governments embrace the use of this new technology to create genetically modified foods. Recent research has shown that the use of GMOs can lead to increased food production (Freedman 18). Using this technology, scientists have been able to create plants that are resistant to pests, weeds and other diseases that farmers have been complaining about over the years. Farmers are able to avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides. Food produced using this technology is highly nutritional and is believed to have better texture than the naturally grown food. GMOs also have a longer lifespan and do not go bad as quickly as the naturally grown food. Through this technology, scientists have been able to genetically engineer plants that can be used as vaccines to immunize people against various diseases (Nelson 37). There has been increased need to come up with plants which can grow in deserts and other areas having conditions that are not suitable for germination of plants. It is important to note that through this new technology, scientists have been able to come up with plants that can withstand adverse weather and soil conditions. The benefits associated with the use of GMOs cannot be overlooked at this...
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...feelings of distrust in many people in several parts of the world: the GMO, or, the genetically modified organism. There is hardly a product on American grocery shelves today that does not contain some form of a genetically modified (or GM) crop, and many people find this fact disturbing. The average consumer does not fully comprehend the GMO, but fears and rejects it based on a superficial knowledge of the term. The possible dangers – or the possible lack there-of – of GMOs are largely debated among consumers, organizations, corporations, and even politicians. And yet, the overlooked consensus of the scientific community is that, so far, GM ingredients in food products cause no more harm to the consumer than non-GMO products. However, there is no proof that long-term risks do not exist, and many point to the several countries that have banned or severely restricted the production and trade of GMOs. But mankind has been altering the genes of food through domestication for thousands of years using selective breeding; many say that biotechnology is simply the newest innovation in agriculture. There are, without a doubt, problems surrounding GMO production and regulation that need resolving, but the process itself is not inherently bad. As long as the practice is well-regulated, thoroughly tested, and transparent, the potential benefits of GMOs outweigh the hypothetical risks; the supplement and vaccine implications of GMOs are potentially life-saving, they reduce the need for harmful pesticides...
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...In the middle of all the controversies, there is an unclear difference between the scientific-assessed risk of GMO use and the perceived risk as it is influenced by cultural opinion and governmental regulation. Because of these variable opinions and risk evaluations within different countries of GMOs, it leads to issues in import and export of GM crops to other countries. Agriculture markets across the world have very different views of the risk associated with GM crops so this leads to usage or rejection of GMOs in specific countries. Because of this, rejection of GMO usage in developed countries would stunt the growth of biotechnology to many other developing countries. This would also make a developing country that was potentially expanding...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms Technology, Society, and Culture Table of Contents Technical Aspect of GMO by Chad Dookie Page 3 Moral and Ethical Aspect of GMO by Ronald Claude Page 7 Cultural and Legal Aspect of GMO by Evangelina Ramirez Page 14 Environmental Issues of GMO by Donovan Collins Page 23 References Page 32 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...
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