What is Genetically Modified Food?
Genetically modified (GM) foods are defined as "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" (WHO, 2015). Genetic engineering (also called modern biotechnology or gene technology) performs this modification. The specific genes selected from one organism are transferred to another within different species such as animals, plants, bacteria, and so on, resulting in a modified organism which carries enhanced desirable traits. These traits include more nutrients, faster growth, stronger resistance to diseases and insects, longer storage life, and other purposes. For instance, …show more content…
For instance, People are allergenic to a crop. Scientists insert selected genes from the crop into walnuts, wheat and shellfish. Then people would also be susceptible to these GM foods. Another example is that people who are allergic to Brazil nuts are sensitive to the soybean inserted selected genes from the nuts.
Besides, corn and cotton plants are inserted a special gene, called Bt-toxin derived from a bacteria. This toxin has been reported to have a significant adverse influence on human health. For example, in a control of the gypsy moth population, the natural Bt-toxin was used. A few people complained allergic reactions, irritation of respiratory, eye, and throat. Also, people with compromised immune system have been cautioned that they may be susceptible to this toxin. (Collins, 2016)
Finally, animals tests show that GM foods may cause allergenic reactions. Greenpeace (2011) pointed out that mice is allergenic to GM peas. Also, it made mice more sensitive to other food allergies.
Unbalancing Food …show more content…
They open the Pandora 's box. What is our choice? The answer is that we should refuse GM foods. Nowadays, some countries have established regulations to stop the application of GM crops, including several states of United States and Australia, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, and so on. However, Canada has a widespread usage of GM crop. Most soy, corn and canola are GM. How should we do? Firstly, we purchase organic food although the price is much higher than GM foods. Secondly, some companies have tagged "non-GM" on the foods. We can identify these foods from GM foods. Thirdly, we can find which foods are not GM based on the shopping lists of non-GM foods. Fourthly, we should participate the groups who are rejecting GM foods and stand for our
Genetically modified (GM) foods are defined as "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" (WHO, 2015). Genetic engineering (also called modern biotechnology or gene technology) performs this modification. The specific genes selected from one organism are transferred to another within different species such as animals, plants, bacteria, and so on, resulting in a modified organism which carries enhanced desirable traits. These traits include more nutrients, faster growth, stronger resistance to diseases and insects, longer storage life, and other purposes. For instance, …show more content…
For instance, People are allergenic to a crop. Scientists insert selected genes from the crop into walnuts, wheat and shellfish. Then people would also be susceptible to these GM foods. Another example is that people who are allergic to Brazil nuts are sensitive to the soybean inserted selected genes from the nuts.
Besides, corn and cotton plants are inserted a special gene, called Bt-toxin derived from a bacteria. This toxin has been reported to have a significant adverse influence on human health. For example, in a control of the gypsy moth population, the natural Bt-toxin was used. A few people complained allergic reactions, irritation of respiratory, eye, and throat. Also, people with compromised immune system have been cautioned that they may be susceptible to this toxin. (Collins, 2016)
Finally, animals tests show that GM foods may cause allergenic reactions. Greenpeace (2011) pointed out that mice is allergenic to GM peas. Also, it made mice more sensitive to other food allergies.
Unbalancing Food …show more content…
They open the Pandora 's box. What is our choice? The answer is that we should refuse GM foods. Nowadays, some countries have established regulations to stop the application of GM crops, including several states of United States and Australia, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, and so on. However, Canada has a widespread usage of GM crop. Most soy, corn and canola are GM. How should we do? Firstly, we purchase organic food although the price is much higher than GM foods. Secondly, some companies have tagged "non-GM" on the foods. We can identify these foods from GM foods. Thirdly, we can find which foods are not GM based on the shopping lists of non-GM foods. Fourthly, we should participate the groups who are rejecting GM foods and stand for our