Effect of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

On Local Farmers

A term paper
In partial fulfilment of the requirements in
STS 1 (Science, Technology, and Society 1)

Presented to:
Mr. Ferdinand La-Puebla

Presented by:
Angelou Vanessa Tarroza, BS Biology
Harvey Angeles, BS
John Michael Castillo, BS Computer Science
Kate Andrea Sotalbo, BS Computer Science
Ralph Lawrence Silaya, BS Computer Science
1C

December 1, 2015

Introduction
The issue about the effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has
long been a topic of debates for the past several years. Different groups of people
positively affected by this advancement of technology have their own reasons of
using genetically modified products the same as those who opted not to use the
technology because of some adverse effects felt and observed. With these,
scientists and researchers continue examining and conducting further studies
regarding GMOs.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are products of biotechnology. These
are organisms for which genetic make-up has been manipulated and altered to
produce plants, animals or even microorganisms of desirable traits. (Jumba, 2009)
Some of the genetically modified products, specifically crops, consumed by many
include herbicide-tolerant soybeans, insect-tolerant Bt cotton, ripening-delayed
tomato, drought-tolerant and high-yielding rice and corn. (Nelson, 2001) These
genetically modified crops were adopted by many farmers and brought several
benefits but also concerns to them. (Kruft, 2001) Some of these benefits are as
follows:

Increased crop yields

Less use of pesticides
Lower farm costs
Increased profits

On the contrary, genetically modified crops also cause different concerns to

farmers:
Contractual issues between farmers and seed companies

Development of resistant weeds and insects

Difficulty of preserving the identity of non-GM crops

This paper aims to explain further the possible effects of GMOs, specifically
genetically modified crops, to farmers. The effects that will be discussed will include
both benefits and concerns encountered by farmers in adopting the system and
process of biotechnology in producing genetically modified products.

Discussion
Over the years, scientists have been developing different kinds of measures
in order to make the human living efficient. With the introduction of biotechnology,
researchers, engineers, and scientists have been into further advancements to
solve more issues and problems occurring.
Genetic engineeringit is the process of altering genes from one organism to
improve its genetic makeup. Genes are inserted from a different species to the
organism to be modified. With this technology, organisms can be developed into a
different class. Those organisms that had undergone the process of genetic
engineering in order to be improved is called genetically modified organism (GMO).
GMOs contributed many beneficial things. According to an article written by
David Weisser on National Center for Policy Analysis, advances because of GMOs
pushed the agricultural sector up. These advancements made the production of
GMO products increase. This is one of the solution scientists thought to answer the
problem of the increase in population and malnourished people. (Weisser, 2014)
These advancements which lead to the increase in the agricultural sector were
made possible by the GMOs.
Scientists have deduced that there will be an increase of crop yields when the
farmers adopt the technology. The crop productions may double because of the use
of genetically modified crops. For example, Brazil produces 588 million tons of
sugarcane per year which is almost half of the production of sugarcane worldwide. It
has the possibility to be doubled up to 1.176 billion tons of sugarcane through the
use of Bt sugarcane. (Frequently Asked Questions, 2013)
Besides the boost of crop production, there would also be the drop of the
applications of pesticides and herbicides through the use of GMOs. Since crops were
genetically modified to repel certain kinds of pests, there will be no need for the use
of pesticide and herbicide. This will lower the cost associated with the farmers
application of pesticides and herbicides.

Certain GM crops were genetically modified in order to kill specific pests that
might destroy those crops. Other than that, GM crops have better quality than of
the natural ones since the genetic makeup of the genetically modified crops were
made hybrid which implies that good qualities of other crops were put into a single
GM crop.
A study conducted by ERS proves that the decrease of utilizing pesticides
through the introduction of GM seeds to the farmers was significant. (Genetically
Engineered Crops for Pest Management, 2000)
Since the use of pesticides and herbicides are optional with the plantation of
GMO, the starting capital of the farmers will be lower than without using GM seeds
and crops. Because of this, farmers profits will most likely increase. Lower starting
capital, higher production and selling rate.

References
Frequently Asked Questions. (2013). Retrieved from Sugarcane.org:
http://sugarcane.org/media-center/faqs
Genetically Engineered Crops for Pest Management. (2000). Economic Research
Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
Jumba, M. (2009). Genetically Modified Organisms: The Mistery Unraveled. USA:
Eloquent Books.
Kruft, D. (2001). Impacts of Genetically-Modified Crops and Seeds on Farmers.
Retrieved from
https://pennstatelaw.psu.edu/_file/aglaw/Impacts_of_Genetically_Modified.pdf
Nelson, G. (2001). Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture: Economics and
Politics. USA: Academic Press.
Weisser, D. (2014, October 21). The Future of Famring and Rise of Biotechnology.
Retrieved from National Center for Policy Analysis:
http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ib152