GMOs have been around for many years, but it has not been debated about until recently. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. GMOs are created through genetic engineering, which takes DNA from a species and adds it to another to make a new species. This allows farmers to grow the best crops using as little resources as possible. FDA has approved use of some crops such as corn, soy, cotton, and more. Most of the foods we eat are genetically modified. Genetically modified foods are safe to eat because they can last longer, provide environmental protection, and have more nutrient.
The benefits of GMOs are that GM foods will last longer. “U. S. Department of Agriculture has decided to approve new types of apples that have been genetically engineered not to brown as quickly after being cut. ” (Desk) We no longer have to persevere our apples with lemon juice to stop them from turning brown. The best part about the GM apples is that they are going to look and taste like normal apples, but they are supposed to last much longer than regular apples.
Haven Baker says “The No. 1 consumer complaint [about potatoes] is black spot bruise,” he says. You have to cut it out or, if it’s bad enough, throw the potato away. It’s a significant waste issue. ” (Charles). The black spots from the potatoes are cause by having too much weight when piling on each other. The potatoes were genetically modified to make them last longer on store shelf, or on the kitchen counters. They were inserted a gene to reduce the black spot bruise. They are supposed to taste the same as regular potatoes, and they come at a much cheaper price. Bioengineer do not genetically modified just to make them look better.
Another example is the Hawaiian papaya, “For Belmes, a Filipino immigrant who said his farm was “wiped out” by the ringspot virus, genetically-modified papaya has been nothing short of a life-saver. ” (Callis) Scientist have saved papayas from being infected with the ringspot virus. Now, papayas can last longer than ever before. We create GMOs because there are many things that destroy our food, such as pests and bad weather. Around the world, in Nigeria, “Nigerian farmers who rely on traditional farming techniques lose up to 30% of their crops. ” (Maxmen).
When farmers choose to farm traditionally, without GM seeds, they tend to lose a lot of food, time, and money. Farmers have to use a lot of pesticides to remove the pests from eating their crops. Although using pesticides may reduce the pest, but the pesticides may still remain on the crops. The same crop that is sold to groceries stores. This may affect consumers health, so not all non-GMOs are safe to eat. According to Hepworth, New York farmer, says “What people don’t understand is that without pesticides there is not enough food for the masses, the fact is that GM is a tool that can help us use less pesticide. (Maxmen)
Farmers are the base of America. Genetically modified foods will reduce the pesticides and improve our health. We won’t have to worry about the harsh chemicals (pesticide) that farmers use to get rid of pest and weeds because now GMOs have genes that will be resistance to them. Moreover, the benefit of having GMOs is that it can also provide environmental protection. For example, normal foods use more pesticides protection, which can harm the environment. GMO have already been develop to stop insects from eating the foods. Maxmen)
The environment has already been destroyed, and we cannot cause more destruction. GM crops will help solve the issue because they are modified to fight pest and weeds. “GMOs may reduced environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion. ” (Duvauchelle) GM are able to last longer meaning they need to feed off of some carbon dioxide (CO2), and this should reduce the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. GMO crops need less care meaning that the farmers do not have over use the land.
Earth is a lovely place to live in, but growing normal crops may lead to more trouble. GMO are a better solution because our environment would be much cleaner. GMOs are not only safer for the environment, but as for humans. Katie Pratt, Illinois farmer, says “No one is more aware than the farmer of the impact we have on the environment, in addition to the urgency to feed and fuel a growing population, while reducing our footprint on the planet. ” (Johnson) Katie plants GM crops because they help support her and her family.
Katie understands we have to feed our increasing population, while keeping our environment safe. GMOs bring a clear value in our environment. Furthermore, GMOs can contain more nutrition than regular foods. For example, “It (golden rice) was developed as a potential solution to vitamin A deficiencies in children around the world, especially those in highly populated, impoverished areas” (Shanker) Vitamin A is good for our vision and immune system, it also helps out our organs like the heart and kidney. The golden rice is much more healthier than white or brown rice we eat today.
Another example is from Dr. Jay Morris from Baylor College of Medicine who claims “If you eat a serving of the modified carrot, you’d absorb 41 percent more calcium than from a regular carrot. ” (Texas) Carrots have slightly more fiber, vitamin A, and calcium through the help of GMOs. We can enjoy more nutrient entering our body. Eating genetically modified foods would be safe for us. Genetically modified foods have provided us to keep the foods to last longer. GMOs are genetically modified to give humans better nutrition.
Genetically modified foods are cheaper, which would help feed the poor. Many years of testing has been to be done to perfectly genetically modify a crop. Because the population is only going to continue to increase, we need to find new ways to feed the people. We could waste a lot of time destroying the farmland, throwing away a lot of crops damaged by nature, or we could plant GM plants. GMOs can solve many of our food problems, and genetic engineering might be the most effective way to solve a plant’s problem.
