Is Gmo Good Or Bad

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People have been manipulating the genetic make-up of plants and animals for countless generations. This is referred to as traditional cross breeding and involves selecting plants and animals with the most desirable characteristics (e.g. disease resistance, high yield, good meat quality) for breeding the next generation (Known as GMO’s). A genetically modified organism, or GMO (according to responsible technology), is “an organism that has had its DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering”. In most cases, GMOs have been altered with DNA from another organism, be it a bacterium, plant, virus or animal; these organisms are sometimes referred to as "transgenic" organisms. Genetically modified food is known to be harmful to …show more content…
In Denmark, a genetically modified crop has become the cause of deformities to new born pigs. Glyphosate, a weed-killing chemical sprayed on plants has been found in the urine of these pigs and even the water systems of countries all over the world. For many farmers, this chemical has become a concern as it causes stomach ulcers, bloating, and other sicknesses. Another experiment conducted by French scientists on rats demonstrated the impact of these GMO’s. Rats were fed a lifelong diet consisting of genetically modified corn, which severely damaged many of their organs. As a result of tumours on organs including liver and kidney, it was concluded that 50% of male and 70% of female rats died prematurely as result of eating the corn. Although this cannot be generalised for humans, many of the scientists in the experiment concluded that the numbers may not show in humans, but since it is unethical it cannot be done on humans and it will not be known of the effect on humans until proof surfaces that these GMO’s can result in death for humans. Therefore, GMO’s can pose a threat to health as it causes defects and …show more content…
Many farmers in the U.S have been alarmed about cross contamination as their farms, due to this are being deemed “non organic” by the U.S government. Biologist Deborah Whitman reveals cross contamination could potentially transfer certain genes from one plant type to another. This is shown when Australian farmer Steve Marsh who is an organic farmer, sued a neighbouring farm due to his non-GMO wheat being contaminated by GMO canola seeds. In this case, GMO contamination is unavoidable and no matter what precautions are taken to stop this, cross contamination will still occur. Nevertheless, it is still a problem that is occurring in farms across the globe and could potentially affect humans if these plants are consumed. It Is important for the contamination to be checked as the International Journal of Food Contamination states “The detection of GMO contamination is dependent on both routine and targeted monitoring regimes”. The lack of analysis for the detection of cross contamination in GM crops can allow effort to go to waste and thus GM cross contamination, although it cannot be prevented, the farmers must continuously check the crops as one the crops are contaminated, nothing can be