The safety of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms is a long debated topic. Many people believe that GMOs can have harmful effects and are unsafe. However, many scientific studies have been performed to prove the safety of genetically modified organisms and have had positive results.
Genetically modified organisms are also helpful to those with limited food access. The problem could be solved by lowering the cost of food production prices. “So when Monsanto, a big American biotech firm, started selling boll-worm-resistant Bt cotton seeds, the Chinese government snapped them up. Bt cotton now covers half a million hectares of Chinese soil. Production costs have fallen by 14%”. Based on this quote from “Genetically Engineered Foods Should Be Produced” from the economist , genetically modified organisms have the potential to lower production prices of crops. GMOs could help solve the problem of food prices being too high.GMOs are created in multiple ways. The most common way that companies make GMOs is to take a section of DNA from an organism and add it on to the DNA of a different organism. Many people are mistaken about the fact that GMOs are not bad for you. Many scientists have stated "that GM plants are nutritionally equivalent to their non-GM counterparts and can be safely used in food and feed." This quote from “Genetically Modified Food is Healthy” by Shanley Chien clearly states that GMO food is not bad for you. However, many people still believe that GM plants are not as safe as non GM plants.
Another reason that GM plants are helpful is that they allow for higher yields of crops and reduce waste. Because GM plants reduce waste crops are cheaper and go to better use. Approximately 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. goes to waste as it passes through the food supply chain”. Because so much food goes to waste, GM plants will be able to reduce the price of crops and their impact on the environment by helping food survive longer and decreasing the amount that is spoiled. Overall GMOs are helpful because they are better for the environment and are cheaper to buy.
Genetically modified organisms are also helpful to those with limited food access. The problem could be solved by lowering the cost of food production prices. “So when Monsanto, a big American biotech firm, started selling boll-worm-resistant Bt cotton seeds, the Chinese government snapped them up. Bt cotton now covers half a million hectares of Chinese soil. Production costs have fallen by 14%”. Based on this quote from “Genetically Engineered Foods Should Be Produced” from the economist , genetically modified organisms have the potential to lower production prices of crops. GMOs could help solve the problem of food prices being too high.GMOs are created in multiple ways. The most common way that companies make GMOs is to take a section of DNA from an organism and add it on to the DNA of a different organism. Many people are mistaken about the fact that GMOs are not bad for you. Many scientists have stated "that GM plants are nutritionally equivalent to their non-GM counterparts and can be safely used in food and feed." This quote from “Genetically Modified Food is Healthy” by Shanley Chien clearly states that GMO food is not bad for you. However, many people still believe that GM plants are not as safe as non GM plants.
Another reason that GM plants are helpful is that they allow for higher yields of crops and reduce waste. Because GM plants reduce waste crops are cheaper and go to better use. Approximately 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. goes to waste as it passes through the food supply chain”. Because so much food goes to waste, GM plants will be able to reduce the price of crops and their impact on the environment by helping food survive longer and decreasing the amount that is spoiled. Overall GMOs are helpful because they are better for the environment and are cheaper to buy.
Works Cited
Chien, Shanley. "Genetically Modified Food Is Healthy." Global Sustainability, edited by Dedria Bryfonski, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010988211/OVIC?u=nysl_ro_hflms&xid=07694d13. Accessed 12 Feb. 2018. Originally published as "GMOs: The Scarlet Letters of the Grocery Aisle?" Medill Reports Chicago, 10 Mar. 2015.
Economist, The. "Genetically Engineered Foods Should Be Produced." Global Resources, edited by Helen Cothran, Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010139237/OVIC?u=nysl_ro_hflms&xid=c755dff4. Accessed 12 Feb. 2018. Originally published as "Feeding Five Billion: New Agricultural Techniques Can Keep Hunger at Bay," The Economist, 10 Nov. 2001
Chien, Shanley. "Genetically Modified Food Is Healthy." Global Sustainability, edited by Dedria Bryfonski, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010988211/OVIC?u=nysl_ro_hflms&xid=07694d13. Accessed 12 Feb. 2018. Originally published as "GMOs: The Scarlet Letters of the Grocery Aisle?" Medill Reports Chicago, 10 Mar. 2015.
Economist, The. "Genetically Engineered Foods Should Be Produced." Global Resources, edited by Helen Cothran, Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010139237/OVIC?u=nysl_ro_hflms&xid=c755dff4. Accessed 12 Feb. 2018. Originally published as "Feeding Five Billion: New Agricultural Techniques Can Keep Hunger at Bay," The Economist, 10 Nov. 2001