In the United States, 89% of the soybeans and 60% of the corn we consume daily has been genetically modified through agriculturally biotechnology/ genetic engineering. Would you believe that most of the food we regularly eat has been genetically altered in some way, allowing it to produce more crops or to be resistance from pesticides, insecticides, and even insects? Since first being put on the market in the early 1990's, Genetically Modified (GM) Food has grown more popular over time and is very predominant throughout the world. Starting with Flavr Savr, commercially grown by Calgene, a new generation of GM Food has begun to make great strides in the world market.
For those of you who do not know, genetic engineering is the science that applies to the direct modification of the genes found in an organism. Splicing a new trait into the cell, removing a gene from the existent cell, and isolating an existing trait are ways modern science have allowed for this act to be done. Performing one of these extensive experiments can cause the genes to be produced within all cells, possibly enabling the organism to become heartier, to have an increased production, or to become resistant to chemicals that may other wise harm them. Although this controversial practice is just a form of selective breeding, this method of genetic engineering has allowed for an increased food supply and better tasting provisions for the people of our world.
As scientists have learned more about genetic engineering, they have begun to realize the effects it can have on a society; both positive and negative. Because this practice is quite common in our country, the quality of food has been taken to a new and better level. Since scientists have discovered a way to increase the nutritional quality and heartiness of plants we eat, normal people have benefitted. Due to certain traits being added to genes of other plants, the growth period and amount of chemicals needed to grow these species have been decreased. In return, this has allowed the produce to be of a higher quality then before this act took place. Less time is required to grow a healthier, stronger, cost-effective plant, because of the strides that have been made in genetic engineering. On the flipside however, GM Food has the tendency to carry more viruses and diseases that could affect our society negatively. For example, allergens found in nature could be spliced into a food, without the knowledge of society. This in turn affects people allergic to that substance in a way they do not know. Also different types of diseases and bacteria not normally found in our food supply have been found in various GM Crops. This proves to be a major downfall of this highly-common practice.
Another aspect our society genetic engineering has recently changed is the availability of all types of food. Because newly modified crops have been made resistant to most pesticides and insecticides, preventing measures can be taken to inhibit the growth of weeds and the vulnerability to common pests. Without all these factors gone, yields of genetically altered crops have increased, allowing for cheaper prices to consumers. For example, BT Corn and Round-Up Ready Corn and Beans have been altered this way, making them resistant to these chemicals and increasing the yearly yield greatly. The higher yields however have caused a new problem to persist; a lack of storage space. Since yields have been higher than ever, an abundance of common crops is prevalent. This has caused products to be made with aged produced, increasing the likelihood of diseases in our country. However over time, a solution for hunger in our world is being solved because of agricultural biotechnology.
In the world we live in today, not many people think into depth about the food we eat or how it is grown. Because GM Food is fairly new, most people do not know the ins-and-outs of it. However for those enlightened individuals knowing about it, mainly government officials, a mixed reaction has been formed. Various governments have implemented GM Products into their country because it extremely cost effective and can feed larger masses of people. Also, the consumers in our country enjoy paying lower prices for the food we all must eat to survive. On the other end of the spectrum, opponents of this practice have realized Biotechnology companies have taken a monopoly on what types of crops are currently grown throughout the world. Studies have been published about the harmful effects on society and nature GM Food can cause, although none have been proven to be accurate. Due to the lower prices these products offer, this practice is becoming more common and is beginning to be accepted by all.
The amount of genetically modified foods being produced each year has been steadily rising around 38% more each year. Corn, beans, wheat, and cotton were the first types of plants to be altered in this way and have been used as a stepping stone for future endeavors. In all aspects of this practice, the positive attributes outweigh the negative side effects. Lower prices in the market, a larger food supply to the world, and happier consumers and farmers throughout can be contributed to the production of GM Food. This fairly new procedure has the capability of solving many problems of the world, while making society healthier. By modifying various types of food genetically, people will begin to realize the importance agricultural and how we are all affected by the strides it makes. After all, 60% of all food-meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables- we consume have been produced using these methods. It goes to show that genetically modifying organisms is an effective practice to be done and should be continued in the future. The numerous pros of this practice outweigh the scarce amount of cons 2:1, proving this should be implemented into all aspects of our life.