Genetically Modified Foods
Parminder Kaur Sekhon
Communication Essentials-62
Professor- Jennifer Mary King
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
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Genetically Modified Foods are foods that are produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA using the method of genetic bioengineering. The study of plant genes and genomes and the development of various techniques for the incorporation of modified genes into plants eventually led to the increasing the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in the mid-1990s. It is done by using the technologies like gene technology or modern biotechnology. This includes the production of genetically modified foods, benefits and health hazards.
Firstly, the production of the genetically modified foods is higher today. In 1983, by using an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant, the first genetically modified food was produced. With the production of golden rice in 2000, scientists had achieved a good result in genetically modified food to increase its nutrient value. For example, the tomato plants that are produced by taking the gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis). By then, there is the rapid increase in the production of the genetically modified foods leading the fruits and vegetables with different type of taste and has higher nutrient values.
Secondly, there are lot of advantages of the genetically modified foods. Flavors can be enhanced through the genetic modification in crops such as peppers can become spicier or sweeter and corn can become sweeter. The plants that are produced by the genetic modification are more resistant to the diseases as compared to other plants. It also increases the nutrient value of the foods such as the production of golden rice. Crops are more resistant to the droughts and floods. It can withstand with different weather conditions.
Thirdly, as every coin has both sides so in that way genetically modified foods has some disadvantages. With the increase in the use of the genetically modified environment hazard also has been increased. It causes various diseases especially respiratory diseases like bronchitis. This is because of the increase in the use of pesticides and herbicides that causes the air pollution and pollutes the fresh air. This ultimately causes diseases.
While there is counter argument related to the use of genetically modified foods. GMO foods take just as long to mature and take just as more effort to grow, this means that there is no real economic value to growing GMO foods when compared to non-GMO foods. This is often seen through GMO cross breading – weeds, for example, that can be crossed with GMO plants can often become resistant to herbicides, creating the need for more GMO efforts.
At last, I would like to conclude up that although Genetically modified foods have benefits as well as harmful effects but if we see the benefits of the genetically modified foods then advantages outweigh disadvantages. So genetically modified food production should be maintained at global level.
