...21, 2013 Trent McDowell Genetically Modified Foods According to The World Health Organization, “genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally through the introduction of a gene from a different organism” (WHO, 2013). These foods are made possible by infusing genes of a different specimen with their DNA. This kind of adjustment is used in both animals and plants, but it is more commonly seen in the latter. There are a host of reasons why such foods have been developed. Some foods are adjusted genetically to prevent allergies that may occur after being eaten, while others are adjusted to improve their life on the shelf (Kartha, 2012). There is still a lot that is unknown about the effects foods that are genetically modified will have on bodies of humans in the long run. Many believe that consuming genetically adjusted foods can cause the growth of illnesses that antibiotics cannot help (Kartha, 2012). In addition to causing diseases, people who eat genetically altered foods have high risks of getting cancer (Kartha, 2012). These altered foods are new inventions so to speak and not a lot is understood about the long-term effects on the human species. Due to the unknown effects, many decide to steer clear of genetically modified foods. Some argue that genetically modified foods are very beneficial. They feel that the modified foods will aid in the feeding of an ever...
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...Genetically Modified Crops- A Sociological Study Group project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Course Introduction to Sociology and Social Anthropology Course Code DC01 BA Social Sciences Submitted by Aashna Singh (100115) Priyanshu Barodia (100301) Abhishek Kumar (100564) Rupam (100568) Aila Bandagi (100277) Sashwatha Sridhar (100288) Kiran Johnson (100019) Souparna .V (100090) Minakshi Patel (100362) Vibhor Choudhary (100485) Tata Institute of Social Sciences Hyderabad 2012-13 CONTENTS * Introduction ……4 * GM Crops-What, How and Why? ……5 * Technology Used ……7 a. BT Technology b. Recombinant DNA technology c. Terminator Gene Technology * Health Impacts- ……9 a. Deaths and Near Deaths b. Viral and Bacterial Illness c. Cancer and Degenerative Diseases d. Antibiotic Threats...
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...A great deal of controversy has arisen over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Genetically Modified Food, especially surrounding the production, sale, and consumption of genetically modified foods. Many people are concerned that the consumption of GMO foods may pose serious health risks. The concern is centered around the notion that there could potentially be various different unforeseen consequences due to the consumption of GMO foods. Even though there is a large controversy over GMOs not many people know what and how dangerous GMO’s are. GMO’s are organisms produced from crops whose genetic makeup has been altered through a process called recombinant DNA, or gene splicing, to give the crop a desirable trait (Bren). Genetic engineering is also defined as the copying of a gene from one plant or animal and adding it to another plant or animal. Monsanto is one of the large producers of GMO seeds. Monsanto offers farmers a wide range of GMO corn, soybean, cotton, wheat, canola, sorghum and sugar cane seeds. Theses seeds have been genetically altered to produce a pesticide, yields more per seed, and withstand harsher weather conditions. Some of these plants are now, what is called, roundup ready (Monsanto). Roundup ready plants can be sprayed with roundup and not be effected by it. Due to the use of Roundup ready plants farmers are not having to be as careful when spraying these plants and more often then not they spray more roundup on them then needed. Roundup...
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...Abstract With the production of genetically modified foods (GMFs) becoming more prevalent today, debates about whether it is right to use technology to create new forms of plant and animal life are on the rise. Proponents of GMFs believe these crops will reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals, and are just as safe as traditional crops. Opponents, on the other hand, feel the use of chemicals is scarcely reduced in GMFs and fear contamination of traditional farm crops. One example of this was displayed in October 2000 when a brand of genetically modified corn, approved only for animal feed, ended up in taco shells and other foods intended for human consumption. It is possible that GMFs are not bad for us at all and might be rather beneficial to building a sustainable future for all forms of life. The solution to its success lies in careful moderation, and this is where research is crucial. Genetically modified foods should not be banned, though studies on the effects of human consumption and economical impacts are necessary. Genetically Modified Foods: Advancement or Shortcoming? For nearly ninety years farmers have altered crops or animals using a method called crossbreeding. In crossbreeding, breeders select desirable traits of the parent plant or animal to produce a new species of that organism to achieve improved quantity and the quality of their crops. Though many seasons may pass before growers achieve their desired results, the harvests can produce...
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...I. Genetically Modified Seeds were made to increase food production and lower production costs. A. Historical Development – In 2000 there were thirteen countries grew genetically engineered crops. During that time the United States produced the majority of those crops. B. Genetically modified seeds are produced and distributed by biotech companies C. 68% of all genetically crops were grown by United States farmers in the year of 2000. D. Complexity – the environment, health, public concern and the expense of the poor II. Political and Legal Influences A. United States Federal Government 1. Lobbying 2. FDA and the revolving door 3. USDA 4. Political pressure 5. Silencing whistleblowers B. State and Local Governments 1. Local resistance 2. State government support for GMO C. Europe 1. EU resistance 2. GMO free zones 3. Greater rejection and shrinking market D. Canada 1. Bribe money 2. Pressure to approve GMO E. Rest of the world 1. Angola 2. Australia 3. Brazil 4. New Zealand 5. Sudan 6. Venezuela F. WTO 1. Collusion with GMO producers 2. Prohibits bans on GMO products G. Legal 1. Monsanto’s 90% market share of GMO seeds 2. Antitrust issues 3. Terminator seeds and patents 4. Monsanto as plaintiff a. United States b. International 5. Monsanto as defendant a. United States b. International III. Economic questions and considerations A. ...
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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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...other helpful writing resources in the Tutorials and Guides section of the Center for Writing Excellence. Thank you for using WritePoint. Pros & Cons of Gmos Throughout history, scientific research and the exploration of new technologies always have been areas of extreme controversy and heated debate. This is attributed that they touch upon and affect many aspects of people’s lives, not to mention their direct interference with political, social, and religious matters. One of the latest and most ferociously debated technologies the scientific community has offered humanity, is the technology of Genetically Modified Organisms and in particular genetically modified foods. A Genetically Modified food is crop plant modified in a laboratory using molecular biology techniques - the goal of producing an organism with specific traits for various reasons. Therefore only logical, given its nature...
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...and Information Technology Department of Agriculture and Food Technology AENG 26 Introduction to Environmental Science Term Paper Effects of Genetically Modified Food on Human Amoguis, Jenina R. ECE 3 – 1 Engr. David L. Cero Professor Introduction Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield, through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides. In the future, genetic modification could be aimed at altering the nutrient content of food, reducing its allergenic potential, or improving the efficiency of food production systems. The main purpose of genetic modification of food is to improve its taste, output, and make plants disease resistant. Despite these advantages, many people refuse to eat genetically modified foods over concerns that it could be dangerous to their health. However, there is still no detailed study about the long term effects of eating genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods have more research challenges but also there are misgivings...
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...History and Development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) LAS 432 History and Development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Introduction Human beings continuously try to incorporate knowledge of nature through science to help mitigate the challenges they face. Science has benefits as seen in the developments in the modern world, in-terms of food production and mechanization. In the 19th century, the industrialization took over from Agrarian revolution in the agricultural sector. Agriculture was the main economic activity that drove the development from food production. Industrialization brought about increased productivity in the agricultural sector with abandonment of the traditional practices to embracing modern technology. This came to be referred as biotechnology. Biotechnology was the incorporation modern technology in food production to reduce costs and increase output. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms with modified genetic material for desirable traits n production, drought resistant and pest resistant. From traditional practices, selective breeding practices have continuously improved the agricultural sector (Liang, & Skinner, 2004). Selective breeding is the control of breeding in plants and animals by taking the desired and high producing plants for the hybrid to have the best produce overtime. Researchers took selective breeding in the 20th century to understand...
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...How Genetically Modified Foods Affect Our Lives In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have replaced our diet with genetically altered foods, which have adversely affected human health as well as local communities. Being resistant to pesticides, GMOs are created by splicing genes of different species that are combined through genetic engineering (GE), something that is impossible to do in nature (The Non-GMO Project). Consuming these genetically altered and more processed foods can lead to increased risk of diseases and even cancer (Genetically Modified Food). Most of the time we do not even realize that we are eating these harmful toxins as they are infused in our food without our knowledge (Label GMOs). The farmers that maintain the traditional farming practices and choose to grow organic produce over crops that are GE are constantly trying to keep their businesses alive. Larger corporations, however, who choose to use genetically modified (GM) seeds, make larger profits with less time and effort involved. Choosing to buy local organic produce over crops that contain genetically modified organisms can not only help you stay healthy, but also keep our local farmers in business so that they may continue to grow their crops the way nature intended. Living in the Bay Area we are extremely fortunate to have access to all sorts of organic fruits and vegetables that are grown right in our own backyard. There are countless farms in California that can grow just...
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...Professor Armentrout Response Paper Four 14 October 2013 The Scary Truth of G.M.O’s Technology is becoming more involved and infused in our food than it ever has before. Every day, our food is moving away from being “natural” and becoming something that is created in a lab. Companies who should not be concerned with how our food is being made, are doing everything in their power to control the food business. Genetic engineering is where scientists take the DNA from one organism and plant it into another organism. Scientists have been doing it to many different types of food, from corn, tomatoes, salmon, and apples, just to name a few. Even though this is a “great” breakthrough, there has not been nearly enough testing done to see how it would affect us, the environment, or other animals, to let it be out on the market. Studies around the world are showing how genetically modified foods are leading to many difficulties people are suffering, from an increase of allergies, to more cases of celiac and Chron’s Disease, and becoming infertile.. If companies like Monstanto are going to create foods like this, we deserve the right to know how our food is being produced and what can happen to us when we eat it. Ever since genetically modified organisms started showing up, we have seen an increase of allergies in people. The modified seeds and foods have not gone through nearly enough testing before being used to make sure that what the scientists were using would not cause harm to humans...
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...Analysis: Monsanto Attempts to Balance Stakeholder Interests Monsanto is the largest agricultural company that specializes in both conventional and genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds and other products. Overall Monsanto has tried to maintain a good ethical culture to their different stakeholders. Because even with all the issues the organization faced, the company has taken the blame and fixed it the best way possible. For example, when word got out about Monsanto dumping toxic waste into a creek they took all the blame and agreed that it wasn’t right. Despite all the ethical issues, Monsanto has publicly made a commitment to provide full fledged support to famers through delivering technologies that will amplify the production of crops while conserving resources. They are also improving the livelihood of farmers and the people who depend on them. Monsanto’s goals are attainable through an intricate combination of biotechnology, advanced plant breeding, and improved farmer management practices. The agricultural giant also fulfills obligations to their shareholders by maximizing their profit through the development of more productive and safer seeds Monsanto can do just that (Gini & Marcoux 2009). On its website, Monsanto positions itself as a relatively new agricultural company that aims to help farmers produce healthier food by increasing productivity, repressing weeds and combating insects while ensuring that environmental standards are not only met but exceeded, and...
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...Genetically Modified Plants Melissa Turner Professor Angela Tringali Introduction to Biology August 29, 2013 Genetically modified plants, crops are secretly becoming second nature to the United States. When you hear genetically modified you automatically assume you will not eat it or even thought that you have never bought any food containing that. You will be surprised how many people have bought or have eaten something that has been genetically modified. With that being said majority of the food we eat now has been or have ingredients that have been genetically modified. Now you have to ask yourself if you know what genetically modified food was, would you still eat the things you do knowing it was modified? When you hear genetically modified, the first thing I think about is an oversized tomato or a giant pumpkin of some sort. That is the complete opposite because by definition, genetic modification is the manipulation of DNA by humans to alter the essential make up of plants and animals. Genetically modified organism is define as organisms that the genetic material have been altered that did not come naturally, another terminology for this is called...
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...Genetically-modified food are food in which its genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. This allows certain desired genes to pass to its “offspring” and also allows cross between those that are not from the same species. Researchers from the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers’ Cook College found that only 52% of Americans realized that genetically modified foods are sold in grocery stores and only 26% believed that they have ever eaten genetically modified foods. (WebMD) Genetically-modified are being developed because of the perceived advantages they are being portrayed to the producers and consumers of the food. Initially the purpose of genetically-modified was to improve the crops protection versus insects and insecticides as well from plant diseases. According to Scientists and U.S. government regulators genetically engineered crops are safe and can provided much needed food in starving nations. But if you talk to biotechnology critics and other scientists though they would disagree with believing that there are not enough testing and regulation on genetically-modified food that we do not know if it’s safe or not. In the European Union they dislike genetically-modified food and prefer the healthier organic food. They believe that only the biotech companies that are creating the product are benefiting and that there are no health and environment gains from genetically-modified food. There is quite a few foods in the US food market that...
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... Monsanto Company is a publicly traded American multinational agricultural corporation headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Founded in 1901 by John Francis, by the 1940s it was a major producer of plastics, including polystyrene and synthetic fibers. Monsanto has become the world leader in genetically modified organisms. Present in 46 countries, leader in biotechnology produces 90% of GMOs grown worldwide (soybean, rapeseed, cotton, corn, etc..) and became one of redemption by the first seed of the planet that could ultimately control the entire food chain. Notable achievements by Monsanto and its scientists as a chemical company included breakthrough research on catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and being the first company to mass-produce light emitting diodes (LEDs). The company also formerly manufactured controversial products such as the insecticide DDT, PCBs, Agent Orange, and recombinant bovine somatotropin. On their official website this company looks like a perfect and respectable agricultural society. Their principal slogan is “Monsanto a sustainable agriculture company”. The website also shows advertisement such as "Our innovations helps farmers produce more food using less natural ressources" , "Monsanto is playing a key role in helping farmers adress the challenge of water", "Monsanto company named one of CR' magazine's 100 best corporate citizens", or “learn how Monsanto is connecting the dots to a more sustainable future”. A big part of the meal we eat...
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