Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been changed around by mutating, inserting, and deleting genes with the use of genetic engineering techniques or biotechnology (Goldbas 20). The goals genetic engineers seek is to create plant resistance to weeds, insect pests, plant diseases, droughts, and floods (Lundquist 26). Grumet, Hancock, Maredia, and Weebadde explained how genetically engineered crops are developed using a combination of genetic engineering and conventional plan breeding methods (3). Genetic engineering is a five step process. The five steps include: to obtain and engineer the desired gene using recombinant DNA technology, transfer the engineered gene into cells of the desired plant, regenerate cells with
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GMOs are considered the key to biotechnical advancements in agriculture. GM crops are manipulated to modify their rate of growth, nutrient composition, resistance to pests and herbicides, tolerance of adverse growing conditions, and the durability of the edible product (Wilson 385). GM crops have been altered to be pest-resistant and have greater nutritional values. There are a couple examples of how GM crops are beneficial in aiding nutritionally depleted areas. The altered cassava plant (GMcassava) is an example. Goldbas explained more about the benefits to cassava. The cassava is a starchy root eaten by people in tropical Africa (21). 40% of the food calories in tropical Africa come from cassavas (21). GMcassavas was manipulated and increased minerals, vitamin A, and protein content. GMcassavas is a nutrient dense food can help prevent childhood blindness, iron deficiency anemia, and infections due to damaged immune systems (21). They are also pest-resistant (21). Another example of a GM crop is rice. GM rice has beta-carotene genes to increase the amount of vitamin A (Wilson 393). Rice has also been genetically modified to decrease the amount of glutelin (Wilson 384). The amount of glutelin was decreased and the amount of prolamines increased. Increased prolamine levels affected the nutritional value of the rice and helped regulate thymus …show more content…
Unlike the other 64 regulatory bodies in other countries, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labeling of GM foods (Landrigan, Benbrook 693). Labeling GM foods is crucial for tracking the rise of novel food allergies and assessing effects of chemical herbicides applied to GM crops (Landrigan, Benbrook 693). This is important for consumers that do not want to risk eating glyphosate (carcinogen), or people that have allergic responses to GM rice. There has been a huge movement towards better alternatives. The movement supports local food initiatives that support smaller, biodynamic farms, community gardens, and home-grown products (Goldbas 23). These grass-roots beliefs provide sustainable agriculture and nutritious GMO-free foods (Goldbas 23). They create an increase in belief in the concepts of culture and community (Goldbas 23). In 2018, consumers can purchase products that bear the USDA 100% Organic label or buy groceries at Whole Foods Markets when they will require all GE products to be labelled accordingly (Goldbas 23).
There needs to be extensive, long term, research on the effects of GM crops and its herbicides. All across Europe, they have banned GMO’s because their government requires research on the effects of GMOs on humans and the environment. The same needs to be done because most of the antibiotic resistance in humans has come from GM feed that is given to animals, not antibiotic drugs. This
GMOs are considered the key to biotechnical advancements in agriculture. GM crops are manipulated to modify their rate of growth, nutrient composition, resistance to pests and herbicides, tolerance of adverse growing conditions, and the durability of the edible product (Wilson 385). GM crops have been altered to be pest-resistant and have greater nutritional values. There are a couple examples of how GM crops are beneficial in aiding nutritionally depleted areas. The altered cassava plant (GMcassava) is an example. Goldbas explained more about the benefits to cassava. The cassava is a starchy root eaten by people in tropical Africa (21). 40% of the food calories in tropical Africa come from cassavas (21). GMcassavas was manipulated and increased minerals, vitamin A, and protein content. GMcassavas is a nutrient dense food can help prevent childhood blindness, iron deficiency anemia, and infections due to damaged immune systems (21). They are also pest-resistant (21). Another example of a GM crop is rice. GM rice has beta-carotene genes to increase the amount of vitamin A (Wilson 393). Rice has also been genetically modified to decrease the amount of glutelin (Wilson 384). The amount of glutelin was decreased and the amount of prolamines increased. Increased prolamine levels affected the nutritional value of the rice and helped regulate thymus …show more content…
Unlike the other 64 regulatory bodies in other countries, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labeling of GM foods (Landrigan, Benbrook 693). Labeling GM foods is crucial for tracking the rise of novel food allergies and assessing effects of chemical herbicides applied to GM crops (Landrigan, Benbrook 693). This is important for consumers that do not want to risk eating glyphosate (carcinogen), or people that have allergic responses to GM rice. There has been a huge movement towards better alternatives. The movement supports local food initiatives that support smaller, biodynamic farms, community gardens, and home-grown products (Goldbas 23). These grass-roots beliefs provide sustainable agriculture and nutritious GMO-free foods (Goldbas 23). They create an increase in belief in the concepts of culture and community (Goldbas 23). In 2018, consumers can purchase products that bear the USDA 100% Organic label or buy groceries at Whole Foods Markets when they will require all GE products to be labelled accordingly (Goldbas 23).
There needs to be extensive, long term, research on the effects of GM crops and its herbicides. All across Europe, they have banned GMO’s because their government requires research on the effects of GMOs on humans and the environment. The same needs to be done because most of the antibiotic resistance in humans has come from GM feed that is given to animals, not antibiotic drugs. This