GMO Foods: The Benefits Of Genetically Modified Foods

Register to read the introduction… Even a food as simple as an apple can be manipulated into something new. Walk down the produce aisle of any supermarket, and there are probably a dozen different varieties of apples, if not more. One such variety is the SweeTango apple. SweeTango apples are a hybrid fruit, not resulting from naturally occurring cross-pollination, but created in a laboratory at the University of Minnesota (Seabrook). The parent plants of a SweeTango are the Honeycrisp and Zestar apples, both of which are lab-created species. These crisp, juicy fruits are genetically modified to make the cells bigger, resulting in a louder “snap” when biting into the apple. Upon learning this, I vowed to never again eat a genetically modified apple.
However, eating foods that are not genetically altered may be easier said than done. At present, manufacturers are not required to label their products as containing GMOs. According to the Food and Drug Administration, “foods …show more content…
Scientists are now able to encode rice with extra vitamins, minerals, and proteins. This is a major breakthrough for countries in which rice is indispensable. Although not yet available for human consumption, this is a major step in the right direction for GMO manufacturers. When GMO rice is available, residents of underdeveloped countries will be able to get the nutrients they so badly need.
Oklahoma State University researchers are currently finding ways to make an allergen free peanut. Many of today’s children suffer from being hypersensitive to peanuts; a growing number of schools will not allow peanut products on the premises. Even the mere smell of a peanut can cause anaphylaxis in the most severe cases. With genetically modified peanuts, these same children could be free from the dire consequences of smelling one of childhood’s greatest meals: the peanut butter and jelly