The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Engineered Foods

Words: 1153
Pages: 5
Open Document
As a state with the most genetic engineering fields in the country, it has become a controversial debate on whether genetically engineered crops should be regulated in Hawaii. For example, in Hawaii's 2014 election, a genetically modified organism ban initiative will be a ballot question for voters in Maui County, Hawaii. This ban prohibits the growth, test, and cultivation of genetically engineered crops until the practices are tested to be safe (Bernardo). Though genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have a variety of connotations, GE organisms refer to the methods that scientist use to introduce genes into an organism to create new phenotypes, such as pest and weed resistance. GMOs that have pesticide and …show more content…
An example of a GE crop that provides more nutrients is the Golden Rice. An article written by Peter Beyer, a professor of Cell Biology at the University of Freiburg and co-inventor of Golden Rice, addresses the problem that the people of developing countries often consume foods that lack the micronutrients that humans need but cannot synthesize on their own. A deficiency in these micronutrients, such as Vitamin A deficiency, causes increasing severity of some maladies as well as premature death. Since rice seeds lack Beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, genetic engineering is the only way to integrate Beta-Carotene into rice. Professor Igno Potrykus and Peter Beyer of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology innovated a type of rice (Golden Rice) that produces Beta-Carotene in its seeds. Golden Rice provides Beta-Carotene to developing countries that have populations that are Vitamin A deficient, such as the Philippines (Beyer). In conjunction with changing the research focus of GE crops in Hawaii, farmers could focus on using agroecology methods to farm crops rather than GE pesticide dependent methods. Stephen Gliessman, Ph.D., explains that agroecology is the application of ecological concepts and principles to design safe and productive sustainable food systems. This method of farming supports my argument that farmers can deviate from using modern conventional agricultural methods - using weed and pesticide resistant crops - and start using agroecological farming methods (Gliessman). By implementing agroecological methods and furthering research in developing GE foods that have great nutritional value, Hawaii’s agriculture may deviate from the reliance of GE pest and weed resistant crops while avoiding the risks that weed and pesticide resistant
Show More

Related Documents: The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Engineered Foods

Genetically Engineered Foods - Pros and Cons Essay

as computers and plastics changed most aspects of living since they were invented, biological engineering has the potential to do the same in the future. This new technology has a wide range of possible benefits, from helping farmers, to improving foods, to helping the environment, to helping sick people. Genetic engineering may even one day be used to help solve world hunger. However, it also has its dangers and risks, which need to be considered along with its benefits. The fact that not…

Words 3419 - Pages 14

Essay Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically Modified Crops As the world’s demand for food continues to increase plant breeders work to breed better yielding crop varieties. They use a range of methods including conventional breeding, mutagenesis, genetic modification, and marker aided selection to breed new improved crop varieties. Genetic modification allows plant breeders to produce a crop variety that could not be bred using conventional breeding Genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material…

Words 1253 - Pages 6

Essay Genetically Modified Organism and Genetically Engineering Crops

because best companies are expected to be successful. Example of how to work cite: Works Cited "Are Biotech Foods Safe to Eat?" WebMD. WebMD,LLC. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. . Chandran, Rakesh S. "Genetic Engineering- Part 2: Pros and Cons of Genetically Engineering Crops." West Virginia Farm Bureau News Feb. 2001. WVU Extension Service. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. . Esposito, Kate. "Pros and Cons of GMO." Love to Know Organic. Lovetoknow Corp. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. . Fernandez-Cornejo, and…

Words 379 - Pages 2

Genetic Modification Research Paper

pointless in changing the natural form. It should not be used in foods, because of the safety of people and the consequences it may later on have. Studies show that food allergies increase over time by the genetic foods. This is one of the most safety hazards. "Public awareness and concern about food allergens is growing. Concerns about food allergens have become linked to the application of biotechnology to produce genetically engineered crops and has resulted in many regulatory proposals and regulations…

Words 491 - Pages 2

Essay about Genetically Modified Food

Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms are designer foods that are commonly used for crop and human consumption using a made up genetic alter of DNA and genes. GMO’s have been commonly used within the food industry and have become a health issue in our world. When the DNA and genes are changed they are inserted to make the product grow quicker or bigger not using the natural cycle of growth. About 60% of foods prepacked in a normal grocery store contain genetically modified…

Words 521 - Pages 3

Gmo Research Paper

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are often described as using genetic engineering to create organisms from other organisms similar to its kind. Although some believed that GMO foods may have several benefits to one’s health, there are others who believed consuming these products will adversely affect their general well-being. The pros and cons of consuming these products include: Pros Insect Resistance Manufacturers of GMO foods believed that they are more resistant to insect pests because of…

Words 836 - Pages 4

Genetic Engineering Essay example

Sugar Beets, Canola, and Potatoes are the crop’s that are being engineered. Between 1997 and 1999, gene-modified ingredients suddenly appeared in 2/3rds of all US processed foods. This food alteration was fueled by a single Supreme Court ruling. Since then thousands of applications for experimental GM organisms have been filed with the US Patent Office alone, and many more abroad. The first commercially grown genetically modified whole food crop was the tomato (called Flavr Savr.) which was made more…

Words 1877 - Pages 8

Genetically Modified Foods Persuasive Essay

The unsafe practices of the implementations of Genetically Modified Organisms in our food industry convey numerous degrading characteristics. Which gives cause to believe that Genetically Modified Organisms should not be utilized in our food system. A majority of these attributes consist of harmful pesticide growing of GMO crops, faulty GMO labels, and various corrupt GMO food safety tests. The drastic influence of the genetical modification of food has even fiercely inhabited a majority of the various…

Words 903 - Pages 4

Genetically Modified Foods Speech Essay

Genetically Modified Foods GENERAL GOAL: I want to inform my audience. SPECIFIC SPEECH GOAL: I would like to increase the audience’s knowledge of genetically modified foods, their history, and the controversy that it involves. THESIS STATEMENT: I want to inform my audience by explaining exactly what genetically modified foods are, as well as, there intended purpose, history, advantages, disadvantages and controversy surrounding them. Introduction I. Before you eat a meal or snack do you…

Words 1279 - Pages 6

Research Paper: Know What You Eat

disparities in the world that forced for a sudden greater food supply distribution and with not much long term research. In the early 1990’s several major biotech companies introduced Genetically Modified crops. (Several terms are seen throughout the media, GE, or Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), but mean the relatively the same thing so the purpose of this issue they all mean the same. Genetically engineered plants create a genetically modified organism so for the sake of this paper we will…

Words 1582 - Pages 7