In the past years, genetically modified organisms have replaced our normal food with genetically altered foods, which have affected human health as well as various communities. Being immune to pesticides, genetically modified organisms are created by splicing genes of various species that are combined through genetic engineering, something that cannot be done in nature. Consuming these genetically altered and more processed foods can lead to a higher risk of diseases. Most of the time we don’t even realize that we are eating these chemicals as they are put into our food without our knowledge. The farmers that practice the more old fashioned farming practices and grow organic produce over crops that are genetically engineered are constantly
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Although genetically modified organisms were only introduced in 1996, the side effects have already been seen: there have been more allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria, etc. While these side effects of genetically modified organisms may seem small in the much larger picture, the long-term consequences can be much worse. More children are developing life-threatening allergies, which can be contributed to more genetically modified organism intake. Already 37 people have died from side effects of genetically modified organisms, 1,500 partially paralyzed and 5,000 were temporarily handicapped by chemicals used in harvesting genetically modified organisms (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 258). This doesn’t even include the number of kids that have been born with birth defects connected with the chemical glyphosate. This chemical alone can cause infertility, stillbirths, and even cancer (The Ecologist). Scientists found out that glyphosate caused malformations in the embryos that could connect to birth defects found in genetically modified soy-producing areas. In particular, the scientists discovered malformations of the head. Seeing that genetically modified organisms have only been decided “safe” for consumption for a bit over 15 years and there haven’t been any long-term studies done on humans, the changes in animal fetuses match the growth of human babies. With a lot of exposure to genetically modified organisms the data concerning the side effects can only become a longer list as we continue to eat genetically modified organisms without considering the effects they can have on our
Although genetically modified organisms were only introduced in 1996, the side effects have already been seen: there have been more allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria, etc. While these side effects of genetically modified organisms may seem small in the much larger picture, the long-term consequences can be much worse. More children are developing life-threatening allergies, which can be contributed to more genetically modified organism intake. Already 37 people have died from side effects of genetically modified organisms, 1,500 partially paralyzed and 5,000 were temporarily handicapped by chemicals used in harvesting genetically modified organisms (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 258). This doesn’t even include the number of kids that have been born with birth defects connected with the chemical glyphosate. This chemical alone can cause infertility, stillbirths, and even cancer (The Ecologist). Scientists found out that glyphosate caused malformations in the embryos that could connect to birth defects found in genetically modified soy-producing areas. In particular, the scientists discovered malformations of the head. Seeing that genetically modified organisms have only been decided “safe” for consumption for a bit over 15 years and there haven’t been any long-term studies done on humans, the changes in animal fetuses match the growth of human babies. With a lot of exposure to genetically modified organisms the data concerning the side effects can only become a longer list as we continue to eat genetically modified organisms without considering the effects they can have on our