...Genetically Modified Crops Tara Singleton Professor Sherif Sci 115 August 19 2015 Genetically Modified Crops In recent years genetically modified (GM) plants have grabbed a significant amount of attention in both positive and negative ways. This topic is discussed in the media and seen labeled on products in grocery stores, yet the general public remains uninformed of what genetically modified plants are. The Technology Genetic engineering is known to be the most favorable technology advances in biotechnology today. The results from genetic engineering are normally named genetically modified organisms or as seen on labels GMOs. There are many techniques scientist use to create these plants and in recent years produce crops. The two most common methods are by using the “gene gun” and a bacteria called Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Key, Ma, & Drake, 2008). The “gene gun” is genetic engineering method that shoots microscopic elements coated with DNA into the plant cells. Distinct plant cells are targeted and are renewed into a whole different genetically modified plant. The other way, use of the bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is the process of naturally transferring DNA to plants (Key et al., 2008). In principal, a strand of one plants DNA can be extracted from its cell and inserted into another plant's genome. On the topic of crop development, it is done with the same species of plant. Biotechnology speeds up the process of identifying the particular gene for...
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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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...For those of you who don’t already know what gmos are, they are modified organisms whose genetic material has been altered to contain segments of DNA from different organisms. Of the organisms that are being altered these include crops, plants and even animals.The reason behind editing their genes are for beneficial reasons to either the consumer or producer. Some of these including either improved protection against insects, how long it takes for the product to spoil, how fast it can mature and they can also improve the taste of the organism being modified. The most common Gmo foods are Soy, Corn, Cotton, and canola. There are many positive and negative effects of GMOs but I think people should have the knowledge to decide for themselves whether...
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...Prof. LeRette 24 April 2015 Speech Outline Title: The Hidden Secrets within Our Food Position Statement: American citizens should demand that genetically modified foods be labeled and prevented. INTRODUCTION I. Attention-getter: We all live busy lives. In the era we live in today, convenience is coveted more than healthiness. How many of you have bought a food item and cared to look at the nutrition label? A good portion right? II. Credibility: Well there is one major thing that is missing from the nutrition label that you are reading. And that is weather the food you are consuming contains GMO’s. III. Thesis Motivation: Having this information can help you in better deciding between choosing an al natural food to a genetically modified creation. IV. Preview Main Points: Today I will share with you some startling facts, let you know what can be done to prevent health risks, and hopefully persuade you to join me in demanding stricter laws to protect our health and well being. BODY [This is the PROBLEM Main Point] I. Main Point: Genetically Modified foods cause contaminations and can cause a host of side effects. A. Support: The very process of creating a GM plant can result in massive collateral damage that produces new toxins, allergens, carcinogens, and nutritional deficiencies. B. Support: The genetically modified plants and their respected herbicides can harm birds, insects, amphibians, marine ecosystems...
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...Many controversies have been rising up on whether we should have foods that have genetically modified labeled or not. Genetically modified foods are foods that have been human altered in their genes. For example if a company wants a specific trait, such as resistance to a specific bug, then by modifying the plant’s genes it could actually enhance that specific trait repels that specific bug.This can also be done in order to enhance durability and presentation of the food. Although this can be seen as a good many people wonder the process that takes place in order to achieve this, and if it can affect us or the environment in any way. Instead of relying on selective breeding, which is when human interbreed other plant in order to gain a desired trait, manufacturers, with the use of gene transfer technology, can enhance or implement a trait using a “sophisticated version of a cut-and-paste operation” (Genetic Science Learning Center 2014). In this “operation” the desired trait is selected and cut off of its genome to be implanted in the target plant’s genome. After the target plant obtains the selected trait, than it is bred to pass along the trait to the generations that will follow.One of the main crops that is genetically modified is Bt-corn. Bt, short for Bacillus Thuringiensis, is a bacteria that is specialized in killing larvae which harms the crops. It has been proven that it does not harm any other insects, mammals, or humans. This type of transition is not only done...
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...Trader Joe’s Market should consider implementing a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) program for employees and the general public because of various health problems affecting many residents of the Washington, DC area specifically food allergies and asthma among children. Such a program will responds a regional health issue, be a low cost for Trader Joe’s Market, and provide positive exposure within the local area. The anticipated CSR program is about offering free classes a genetically modified organism. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The labeling of GMO products is necessary to keep our customers loyalty and trust, which is indicated in our mission statement. If customers learn that Trader Joe’s Market products contain GMOs, they would likely lose faith to buy “natural” products. The Monsanto GM corn, the largest producer of GM seeds, which is a featured ingredient in many Trader Joe’s “natural” products, also represents a low cost product for the production labeling process. The following analysis and research shows how such a program could be structured. Through market research and analysis, it has been discovered that Trader Joe’s sells a surprising amount of the same Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) contained processed foods that one can buy elsewhere. Understanding the importance of labeling GMO products, CSR can be more than a cost; it can be a course of opportunity...
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...We Are What We Eat: A Cause to Label Genetically Modified Foods Kelly Boysiewick ITT Technical Institute EN1420 – Composition II Professor Uddin August 21st, 2014 Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..4 What Are Genetically Modified Foods?.….....................................................................................4 Significant Differences Between Conventional and GM Foods...............................................…...5 Long-Term Studies………………………………………………………………………………..5 Creating a New Species…………...………………………………………………………………7 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………..………….9 References……………………………….……………………………………………………….10 Abstract This paper examines the need for labeling of genetically-modified foods, of GM foods, by researching significant nutritional differences found in conventional and GM foods, long-term studies on the impact on human health, and compounding effects on the environment caused by creating a non-naturally occurring species. In finding no significant nutritional advantages, a lack of evidence to disprove studies on adverse effects on human health, and potentially detrimental effects on the environment, it is believed that the consumer has a right to be informed of the origin or alterations of food made available to them. We Are What We Eat: A Cause to Label Genetically-Modified Foods One of the most dangerous and least understood experiments with...
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...hours received a phone call from the company’s Government Relations Team. The Government Relations Team has learned that a special interest group known as “Friends of the Earth” will be releasing information on Monday September 18, 2000 to the Washington Post. This press release will be implicating the Taco Bell labeled taco shells which are manufactured, distributed, and sold by Kraft Foods, Inc. as containing a genetically modified corn ingredient unapproved for human consumption. The substance is known as StarLink and is a product of Aventis. Background * On August 1, 1996, Taco Bell and Kraft Foods, Inc. entered into a licensing agreement for Kraft Foods to manufacture, distribute, and sell Taco Bell branded taco shells in the retail grocery market. * In August 1998, the EPA granted Aventis registration of protein “Cry9c” known as StarLink as a plant pesticide. * In August 1998, the EPA granted Aventis approval to use StarLink only for commercial use as animal feed. Precautions must be in place to ensure prevention of StarLink from entering the human food supply. * In April 1999, the EPA denied Aventis request to allow StarLink to enter the human food supply due to lingering concerns related to allergens. * In November 1999, customers in California, Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota were sickened with E-Coli O157:H7 tainted ground beef. Unfavorable Media Exposure September 15, 2000 Page 2 of 3 * In 1999, the European Parliament...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms There is nothing more valuable than a person’s health. It is a topic of many conversations, and the very thing that can prohibit or allow a person to live a full life. Imagine if all of the stigmas put on America’s ideas of what health foods are were completely false. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains for example are staple items classified as “healthy” in today’s society. Personally, there have many times when choosing a sala over a greasy hamburger has given a feeling of accomplishment that a healthier choice was made. The fact is that unbeknownst to most of the population that salad contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and in hindsight, may not have been the healthy choice. The US government should have to require all food producers to correctly label all products that contain GMOs to inform the public what they are truly choosing to eat. There has been an unquestioned sense of security that the government and food and drug administration (FDA) are looking out for our best interests, until now. The wool has been over the eyes of many consumers and slowly the truths are being uncovered as to what GMOs are doing to the health of many unaware Americans. Genetically modified organisms, in the most elementary form, are foods that have had specific changes in their DNA to alter the growth patterns and resistance to pathogens. The combination of two (or more) totally unrelated species is against natural scientific theory. ...
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...grocery store and fill the cart with food items from a list. Go home and make dinner or eat a snack with one of the items purchased. Chances are that you, as a consumer, just ate or fed your family a GMO food. And you most likely had no idea. Dr. Michael Wald defines a GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism (or Food), as “a term used to describe foods produced by seeds that have been genetically modified in a laboratory” (ix). These foods, or an ingredient in one of the these foods, has been altered from its natural state. As of today, our federal government does not require any GM (genetically modified) food to be labeled as such, leaving consumers in the dark as to what exactly is in the food we are eating. Putting labels on GM foods is a right American consumers should demand, regardless of what side of science or politics one stands on. The debate over requiring labels on GM foods comes down to two very basic issues: those in favor say that without the information labels would provide, consumers have no way of making informed decisions regarding what they are feeding their families. Those opposed to labeling, mainly the corporate biotech companies that produce the seeds, say that labeling is an unnecessary precaution that will only cause confusion to consumers. According to Nina Fedoroff, professor emerita at Penn State University, “Requiring companies to label genetically modified foods is a terrible idea. It will make food more expensive but provide no useful...
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...Pollan maintains that the American food chain is in need of reform, but can biotechnology be its savior? Crops like New Leafs, a potato genetically engineered by Monsanto to produce its own insecticide, “can protect themselves from insects and disease without being sprayed with pesticides” (Pollan). Monsanto, an American multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, is leading this new version of sustainable agriculture but they just might comminate organic farmers who established sustainable farming. Pollan doesn’t trust his genetically altered seed because genetically engineered foods are unpredictable, untested and unlabeled. At the same time that I believe the biotech revolution is a great idea and may be helpful at making farming more sustainable, I also believe that consumers need to have information about the foods they are consuming. What are these biotech crops really all about? Is Mr. Potato Head now a reality? Will augmented carrots now be able to help stranded castaways in spotting rescue ships? Not quite. These biotech seeds, which at the time this article was written were planted on 45 million acres of American farmland, have been designed to combat herbicides or generate their own pesticides. Pollan suggests that according to the biotech industry “these plants… will make farming more sustainable, feed the world and improve health and nutrition.” However there are critics, who have objected to genetically modified foods sometimes referring to them as “frankenplants”...
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...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 that gene into a different plant. The new genetically-modified plant will gain...
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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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...Gene Therapy: Genetically Modified Crop Plants Coward Introduction to Biology - SCI 115 Professor Johnson March 4, 2014 Genetically modified organisms have become a standard rather than an 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...
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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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