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Robert Hudgins
Laura Knudson
UWRT
11/21/16

Genetically Modified World

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications stated that, In
the USA, adoption of GM crops resulted in pesticide use reduction of 46.4 million pounds in
2003 (ISSAB) and by the year 2050, there will be 9.3 billion people living on this planet. This
means that in less than 50 years, world population is expected to increase by 3 billion. Feeding
these people will mean massive changes in the production, distribution, and stability of food
products (ISAAB). So what exactly is food biotechnology? What is a genetically modified
crop? Why are these causing so much concern in todays society? Genetically modified
agricultural crops/foods are a great, safe resource because they are healthy and provide us with
nothing but benefits.
So what exactly are genetically modified crops and how did they come to be?
Genetically modified crops also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), GE crops
or biotech crops include one or more genes from another organism, such as a bacterium or other
microbe or other plant species. For plants, the inserted gene results in a beneficial characteristic
in the plant, such as the ability to tolerate environmental pressures from damaging insects or
drought. GMO is commonly used to refer to GM plants, as well as the food or ingredients from
GM plants (Monsato). Genetic modification reaches way back to when selective breeding was

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the preferred method. Harvard University wrote an article for Science in the News that talked
about GMO Technology. It specified about how our ancestors used to Choose the organisms
with the most desired traits and mate them with the intention of combining and propagating these
traits through their offspring (SITN). This was basically the building blocks for the growth of
GMO technology. GMO technology made its quantum leap in 1973. Two scientist by the names
of Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen collaborated to bring into existence the first ever successful
genetically engineered organism. The two scientists developed a method to very specifically
cut out a gene from one organism and paste it into another. Using this method, they transferred a
gene that encodes antibiotic resistance from one strain of bacteria into another, bestowing
antibiotic resistance upon the recipient (SITN). This method invented by Herbert Boyer and
Stanley Cohen changed the world for the better.
Genetically modified crops are secure to consume because there are governments that
take huge precautions for the safety of consumption. For example, the government of Canada
wont release any genetically modified crops to the public unless they are impervious to humans.
Canada refers to genetically modified crops as Novel foods. Novel foods include: those that
have not previously been used as food, foods resulting from genetic modification, and foods
modified from traditional products using new processes or microorganisms not previously used
(Cooper). Novel foods are what Health Canada is culpable for. Health Canada is responsible
for the approval of novel foods, as well as food labeling policies with respect to health and food
safety matters (Cooper). In other words, Health Canada is responsible for things such as the
nutritional content labeling, allergens, and making sure there are no harming chemicals or toxins
(Cooper). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada work together
following a specific step by step process to ensure the security and safety of all food. First,

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Before a product is approved, the assessments of Health Canada and the CFIA determine the
safety or potential risks to human, plant and animal health, as well as the environment (Cooper).
Second, They require the applicant for the new agricultural product to provide the methods, the
data, the results and comparative information from other products (Cooper). Third, The
applicant pays for the research and the approvals. Agency staff, with the necessary expertise,
evaluates the research results through an extensive process. If the work does not meet the
standards, more research will be requested. The product will be approved only if it is considered
safe for humans, animals, plants and the environment. Depending on the product, prior to
commercial production, approval, registration or licensing might be required (Cooper).
Genetically modified foods are even safer to eat then normal foods because they receive such indepth observation.
There are a lot of perks when it comes to genetically modified foods and crops. Scientist
can, create plants better resistant to weeds, pest and diseases; such as corn (Edwards). Corn is
one of the all time favorite genetically modified vegetables because, It is the most important and
widely grown grain in the United States (Edwards). Since corn depends a lot on how much
nutrients it absorbs, genetically reshaping its growth plays a big role in putting a stop to world
hunger (Edwards). Tweaking the genetics of food could Bigger yields to create more efficient
use of land, less uses of herbicides, food would gain better texture, flavor, nutrients and lastly a
longer shelf life for easier shipment (Edwards). Genetically modified organisms can also create
sustainability. The genetic engineering of plants has the potential to provide edible plant
vaccines that could be used to immunize individuals against a wide variety of infectious diseases
ranging from cholera to potentially AIDS (Edwards). One example of this is transgenic
potatoes. The transgenic potato plants that have been produced and tested successfully by

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utilizing a genetically engineered food to deliver a pharmaceutical immunization against
diarrhea (Edwards).
In developing countries, the growing of these genetically modified foods have been able
to support poor farmers and feed the citizens struggling to makes ends meat. Some of these
developing countries are China, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Canada. These countries
home thousands of poor and starving lives. What are we going to do when, The world will have
an extra 2 billion mouths to feed in 30 years (Farley)? Theres only one way. We need to
continue growing genetically modified foods. If the world continues to grow these transformed
crops, the farmers that grow them will make a great living and there will be more food dispersed
around the globe for human consumption.
In conclusion, there are a lot of people on this earth and we cant just expect that organic
foods and others will be able to feed everyone. Genetically modified foods and crops are the
only way we are going to be able to survive at some point in the future of the human race.
Genetically modified foods are safe eat because our governments regulate and protect us from
any genetically modified foods that could affect our health. Genetically modified foods are able
to withstand from deathly diseases, resist weeds and avoid pests. Genetically modified foods can
bring in bigger yields to create more efficient use of land, less uses of herbicides, food that would
gain better texture, flavor, nutrients and lastly a longer shelf life for easier shipment. Lastly,
genetically modified foods are able to create sustainability. GMOs are wonderful nourishing
resources that will help sustain the human race and will continue to benefit our existence.

Works Cited

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Cooper, Kim. "Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?: Government Agencies Work to make Sure
those Foods are." Chatham Daily News: 9. May 21 2004. ProQuest.Web. 7 November
2016.
Edwards, Terrell, Jon Faerber, Andre Goenawan, and Shogo Osawa. "Benefits of GM
Food:." GMO. N.p., 2005. Web. 6 November 2016.
Farley, Maggie. "The World; Altered Crops Backed by U.N.; Genetically Modified Foods are
Safe, but Staples should be Stressed, Agency Says." Los Angeles TimesMay 18
2004. ProQuest. Web. 7 November 2016.
Monsanto Corporation. "Genetically Modified Foods Are Safe to Eat." Genetically Modified
Food. Ed. Tamara Thompson. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. At Issue.
Rpt. from "Commonly Asked Questions About the Food Safety of GMOs."
2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 November 2016.
"Pocket K No. 4: GM Crops and the Environment." GM Crops and the Environment. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 June 2016.
Rangel, Gabriel. "From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology Science in the News." Science in the News. N.p., 09 Aug. 2015. Web. 4 November 2016.

Brief Explanation

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I chose the genre argumentative essay which classifies as an essay or maybe free write for
a couple reasons. I chose to write an argumentative essay and purposely wrote it against my
position on the issue to gain more knowledge about the idea of genetically modified crops. I was
initially against the use of genetically modified crops and food, but throughout writing this paper
on the other side of the issue I learned things that put me in the middle. The audience that this
paper is written for is fairly general. Basically I wrote this paper for college students around the
age of 18-21 or anyone. The audience is no one specific but my other 2 products have specific
audiences. The messages are conveyed by making specific points and providing true facts and
statistics to back it up.