Furlough 1

Jordan Furlough

Mrs. DeBock

English 4 Honors

9 March, 2017

Genetic Modification of Food

Unnatural human alteration to food has had a major impact on the health of those around

the world but some argue it is necessary. The practice of altering food genetically has been used

since early humans developed farming. Chemically and genetically changing the composition of

has in recent years became a topic of debate. Some experts argue that malpractice and poor

regulation of these practices is causing and influx in food related health problems in recent

history. Although there are negatives to unnatural human alteration of food others argue that it is

necessary in order to provide food for the ever growing population of earth. Food that has been

altered genetically or chemically have many advantages but come with some lesser known

disadvantages.

Genetic modification of food sources has been practiced for many thousands of years.

Genetically modified food (also GM food, bioengineered food, genetically modified organisms,

GMOs) is food in which, at some point during the production process, molecules and proteins

are chemically altered to give the food more nutrients, a better appearance, or a longer shelf life

according to Warhol. Humans began altering the genes of plants thousands of years ago through

the process of crossbreeding. Crossbreeding according to Webster is the hybridisation or mixing

of species to create a product with an advantage due to its favorable genes. This technique was
 Furlough 2

used by early humans in an attempt to produce improved strains of crops or increase the yield or

output from each plant (Bowman).This proved to be an effective method and can still be found

being used today. the original technique did not involve DNA splicing, farmers have been using

genetic manipulation for centuries. In more recent history history chemicals had been used in the

growing process of food. The results of using chemicals to alter the proteins of a plant or animal

and cause it to grow far faster and larger than naturally intended can have major side effects to

the health of those who consume that food item.

Although there are many many benefits of changing the genetic makeup of a food source

chemicals there are sometimes drawbacks. In 1999 Arpad Pustzai a biochemist at the Rowett

Research Institute in Scotland and his colleagues found that some strains of genetically modified

potatoes were toxic to rats. According to Harmful Foods can Lead to Obesity This process

has become more refined and sped up with the development of technology allowing humans to

specifically inserting and removing certain genes from a plant or animal. An example of this

being used effectively is in the creation of herbicide resistant soybeans an insecticidal corn

(Warhol). According to the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, the United States has been

the leader in Genetically Modified crop planting since the 1990s. Stated by Warhol, as of 2003,

105.7 million acres of American farmland were devoted to genetically modified crops such as

corn, cotton, and soybeans. Many companies have been able to make a business of selling seeds

for genetically modified crops. Farmers have created a high demand for these special seeds for

their agricultural advantage over normal untouched seeds. Seeds that have undergone

modification genetically have abilities that the inferior seeds do not. These advantages are

obtained by the process of splicing segments of DNA from one plant into the genomes of other

plants. The biotech companies behind this technology have created crops that are resistant to
 Furlough 3

insects, fungi, bacteria, and weeds (John). These crops became widely popular as stated by

Bowman when he stated In perhaps the greatest breakthrough, geneticists grafted pesticides and

herbicides into the genes of some plants. In the late 1990s, genetically modified versions of corn,

cotton, potatoes, tomatoes, and soy became widely available on the market. From 1995 to 2005,

genetically modified foods were planted on 222 million acres This is essential in being able to

produce enough food to meet the rapidly growing demand as Earth's population continues to

grow. This is supported by Warhol when he states that crops genetically modified yield 10

percent more than that of crops not genetically altered (Warhol) While there are obvious benefits

to using these more efficient crops in order to provide more efficient grows, there are definite

drawback to the production of these crops as well.

Genetically modified foods offer a plethora of known an unknown risks to humans. These

foods have been forced upon the American public unknowingly due to the lack of insight and

regulation by the government. United States Department of Agriculture is to blame for its

unwilling to implement labeling programs for cloned meats (if and when they are permitted) and

GM foods (David. C 2). This is not good because as much as 75 percent of processed foods

contain a genetically modified ingredient and goes unknown to the public. These processed foods

include breads, crackers, cookies, cereals, and many other products. Another concern about

genetic modification in the production of food is the risk of cross breeding between species. This

is clearly explained when Morley states that ecologists worry that genetically modified fish

could breed with natural fish. The scenario, referred to as the "Trojan gene effect," could wipe

out entire populations. The Trojan effect is when a natural species and unnatural species

crossbreed to make a hybrid, and resulting from the process is the high risk of the genes

mutating. This hybrid species has the potential to alter ecosystems significantly. An example of
 Furlough 4

this is that a strand of genetically modified crops could partly responsible for causing the deaths

of honeybees (Tim 3).

Food that has been altered genetically or chemically have many advantages but come

with some lesser known disadvantages. Foods have undergone genetic modification since the

early forms of agriculture. As stated in the paper genetically modified foods have had a large

impact on humans since the beginning of agriculture an early domestication of animals as a food

source. These crops have had allowed humans to create over the limit nature originally intended.

Although the list of benefits is lengthy so is its drawbacks.

Rich, Alex K. and Tom Warhol. "Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview." Points of View:

Genetically Modified Foods, Jan. 2017, p. 1. EBSCOhost,

Bowman, Jeffrey and Marcus Griswold. "Point: Genetically Modified Foods Will Dramatically

Improve Agriculture around the World." Points of View: Genetically Modified Foods,

Jan. 2017, p. 2. EBSCOhost,

 Furlough 5

Driscoll, Sally and David C. Morley. "Counterpoint: Genetically Modified Foods Should Be

Carefully Regulated." Points of View: Genetically Modified Foods, Jan. 2017, p. 3.

EBSCOhost,

Pearson, John. "Point: The Many Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods." Points of View:

Genetically Modified Foods, Jan. 2017, p. 5.

Anderson, Tim. "Counterpoint: GMO Foods Are Unsafe." Points of View: Genetically Modified

Foods, Jan. 2017, p. 6. EBSCOhost,

Feeding the World with Wheat without Using Genetic Modification Will Lead to Food Shortages

Says World Food Prize Winner." ABC Regional News,

"Harmful Chemicals in Food May Lead to Obesity." Balochistan Times, 23 Apr. 2016.

EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=2Z0ZBLC206

0423.39.114.00095&site=pov-live.