To accurately understand the effects of GMO’s on the environment, it is important to first understand what a GMO is and how it changes the identity of the organism. A GMO is a genetically modified organism, this means that the genes of one specific organism are extracted and implanted into a new organism, or that the DNA has been altered and modified (live science). According to conventional breeding, we know that the parents of the individual both give half of the genetic material within the individual. Yet within genetically modified organisms, one or more specifically selected genes are added into the preexisting genetic material of the individual.
According to LiveScience.com, an example of a genetically modified organism would be taking …show more content…
Dr. Shiva, whose expertise was referenced multiple times in “The Economic Argument Against GMOs: A Top Ten List,” is an author of the book Earth Democracy, and is a trained physicist. In part of the article discussed above, Dr. Shiva shed light on the health aspect of the use of GMOs. There is a section in the article where she pointed out the link between cancer and GMO infused crops. She said that in India you can map out exactly where GMOs are heavily used, and where cancer rates are the highest. While this is not a confirmed association, it can be assumed with other background knowledge of GMOs that this is an accurate link. Another issue discussed and one that can possibly be associated with the issue previously discussed, is that there is really no way of knowing if the food produced by GMOs are safe because those who are testing them are the GMO companies themselves. With all of this being said, GMO companies are also selling their products in a manipulative and almost monopolizing manor, but also in a way that blindly appeals to the farmers. While they claim more yield-which is the crop itself, on the packaging, the products ultimately reduce output, which is the total growth of the plant. Because of so many harsh chemicals being infused in crops and soil, they start to kill the beneficial bacterias in the soil and crops themselves. Of course to help with this, the GMO companies have created yet …show more content…
One example of this is soil erosion. The soil has a layer of chemicals atop of it because of the GMO placement. This leads to dust clouds, which contain high levels of pesticides, and contaminate the air and blow to communities and neighboring farms. Another concern is the contamination of drinking water along with the rest of the ecosystem. These chemicals can be harsh on animals that are
According to LiveScience.com, an example of a genetically modified organism would be taking …show more content…
Dr. Shiva, whose expertise was referenced multiple times in “The Economic Argument Against GMOs: A Top Ten List,” is an author of the book Earth Democracy, and is a trained physicist. In part of the article discussed above, Dr. Shiva shed light on the health aspect of the use of GMOs. There is a section in the article where she pointed out the link between cancer and GMO infused crops. She said that in India you can map out exactly where GMOs are heavily used, and where cancer rates are the highest. While this is not a confirmed association, it can be assumed with other background knowledge of GMOs that this is an accurate link. Another issue discussed and one that can possibly be associated with the issue previously discussed, is that there is really no way of knowing if the food produced by GMOs are safe because those who are testing them are the GMO companies themselves. With all of this being said, GMO companies are also selling their products in a manipulative and almost monopolizing manor, but also in a way that blindly appeals to the farmers. While they claim more yield-which is the crop itself, on the packaging, the products ultimately reduce output, which is the total growth of the plant. Because of so many harsh chemicals being infused in crops and soil, they start to kill the beneficial bacterias in the soil and crops themselves. Of course to help with this, the GMO companies have created yet …show more content…
One example of this is soil erosion. The soil has a layer of chemicals atop of it because of the GMO placement. This leads to dust clouds, which contain high levels of pesticides, and contaminate the air and blow to communities and neighboring farms. Another concern is the contamination of drinking water along with the rest of the ecosystem. These chemicals can be harsh on animals that are