The advancement of genetic engineering gave rise to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Genetically modified organisms play a significant role in the food industry, but during recent years, it has created controversy about its effects on the general public. GMOs are created for consumption using modern scientific technology. It is regarded as being a breakthrough in food technology. Through the implication of new genes into the organisms, GMOs are able to enhance their ability to withstand harsh conditions while yielding mass quantities. Yet common knowledge suggests that this new technology is “too good to be true.” The development of genetically modified organisms has a negative impact on the United States socially, economically, and
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They believed that it could have dire consequences that would ultimately be detrimental to the environment. To reduce the cost of pesticides, manufacturers making GMOs are now injecting pesticides into the seeds. When the seeds are planted, studies have shown that “pesticide-producing crops contaminate nearby streams, possible affecting aquatic life” (Smith). These toxins that contaminate the water are more powerful than ones found in nature. This results in the deaths of many aquatic animals that are beneficial in the aquatic system. The effects of GMOs can also be destructive on land. Since herbicide-resistant crops are now creating “super weeds,” farmers are using more herbicides to fend off those weeds. The herbicides’ potent power eliminates all vegetation surround the seeds, even beneficial weeds that other animals feed on. According to a study from the Center for Food Safety, the populations of monarch butterflies “have declined by 90 percent because their food source, a weed called milkweed, has been decimated” (Potenza). The need of applying more herbicide leads to the decline of monarch butterflies. As a result of this, the biodiversity of the farm is damaged. The maker of these herbicide-resistant seeds is Monsanto, America’s leading manufacturer of …show more content…
Some, especially Monsanto, a corporate giant, controls most of the GMO/farm industry. Today, Monsanto dominates the seed market globally and is named the largest seed company in the world. Monsanto also owns about eighty percent of all the GMOs in the United States. However, there is a lot of competition in the GMO market. Monsanto’s answer to this is to patent their seeds. Among the many controversy related to GMOs, farmers are most fearful about the patents. Traditional seeds and genetically modified seeds are not differentiable to the naked eye. It is easy for the “G.M. seeds to get mixed in with traditional varieties” (Barlett). This creates a problem for farmers. Even if a farmer doesn’t want to use genetically modified seeds in his fields, cross-pollination enables the two types of seeds to be mixed. Monsanto’s policy regarding the use of their seeds illegally can result in charges. Since 1996, Monsanto has initiated “thousands of investigations and filed lawsuits against hundreds of farmers and seed dealers [who violated their patent]” (Barlett). Legal battles have risen due to these violations. Through the patents on their seeds, Monsanto is able to make massive amounts of money through dirty ways. They are able to sue any farmers who save their seeds and replant
They believed that it could have dire consequences that would ultimately be detrimental to the environment. To reduce the cost of pesticides, manufacturers making GMOs are now injecting pesticides into the seeds. When the seeds are planted, studies have shown that “pesticide-producing crops contaminate nearby streams, possible affecting aquatic life” (Smith). These toxins that contaminate the water are more powerful than ones found in nature. This results in the deaths of many aquatic animals that are beneficial in the aquatic system. The effects of GMOs can also be destructive on land. Since herbicide-resistant crops are now creating “super weeds,” farmers are using more herbicides to fend off those weeds. The herbicides’ potent power eliminates all vegetation surround the seeds, even beneficial weeds that other animals feed on. According to a study from the Center for Food Safety, the populations of monarch butterflies “have declined by 90 percent because their food source, a weed called milkweed, has been decimated” (Potenza). The need of applying more herbicide leads to the decline of monarch butterflies. As a result of this, the biodiversity of the farm is damaged. The maker of these herbicide-resistant seeds is Monsanto, America’s leading manufacturer of …show more content…
Some, especially Monsanto, a corporate giant, controls most of the GMO/farm industry. Today, Monsanto dominates the seed market globally and is named the largest seed company in the world. Monsanto also owns about eighty percent of all the GMOs in the United States. However, there is a lot of competition in the GMO market. Monsanto’s answer to this is to patent their seeds. Among the many controversy related to GMOs, farmers are most fearful about the patents. Traditional seeds and genetically modified seeds are not differentiable to the naked eye. It is easy for the “G.M. seeds to get mixed in with traditional varieties” (Barlett). This creates a problem for farmers. Even if a farmer doesn’t want to use genetically modified seeds in his fields, cross-pollination enables the two types of seeds to be mixed. Monsanto’s policy regarding the use of their seeds illegally can result in charges. Since 1996, Monsanto has initiated “thousands of investigations and filed lawsuits against hundreds of farmers and seed dealers [who violated their patent]” (Barlett). Legal battles have risen due to these violations. Through the patents on their seeds, Monsanto is able to make massive amounts of money through dirty ways. They are able to sue any farmers who save their seeds and replant