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| Organic vs GMOs |
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GMO's maize
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Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
Genetic engineering; this is the process which involves manipulation of living organism or their components to produce useful products such as new bacterial strain, pharmaceuticals, antigen and enzymes , the process of genetic engineering involves process like gene cloning and recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA; The process involves extraction of genetic materials with desired traits from one organism and become transferred to another organism. The resulted organism where genetic materials with desired traits are transferred to is called genetically modified organisms
A genetically modified organism contains DNA that has been altered using genetic engineering. Genetically modified animals are mainly used for research purposes, while genetically modified plants are common in today’s food supply.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
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Short history about GMOs
For thousands of years, humans have used breeding methods to modify organisms. Corn, cattle, and even dogs have been selectively bred over generations to have certain desired traits. Within the last few decades, however, modern advances in biotechnology have allowed scientists to directly modify the DNA of microorganisms, crops, and animals.
Conventional methods of modifying plants and animals—selective breeding and crossbreeding—can take a long time. Moreover, selective breeding and crossbreeding often produce mixed results, with unwanted traits appearing alongside desired characteristics. The specific targeted modification of DNA using biotechnology has allowed scientists to avoid this problem and improve the genetic makeup of an organism without unwanted characteristics tagging along.
Most animals that are GMOs are produced for use in laboratory research. These animals are used as “models” to study the function of specific genes and, typically, how the genes relate to health and disease. Some GMO animals, however, are produced for human consumption. Salmon, for example, has been genetically engineered to mature faster, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that these fish are safe to eat.
GMOs are perhaps most visible in the produce section. The first genetically engineered plants to be produced for human consumption were introduced in the mid-1990s. Today, approximately 90 percent of the corn, soybeans, and sugar beets on the market are GMOs. Genetically engineered crops produce higher yields, have a longer shelf life, are resistant to diseases and pests, and even taste better. These benefits are a plus for both farmers and consumers. For example, higher yields and longer shelf life may lead to lower prices for consumers, and pest-resistant crops means that farmers don’t need to buy and use as many pesticides to grow quality crops. GMO crops can thus be kinder to the environment than conventionally grown crops.
1. GMOs advance the quality of grown food
Genetically modified foodstuffs can be changed so as to have a longer-lasting life with the aim of limiting wastage of food. This can be done by creating stronger colors, eliminating seeds or having the plant get more adjusting to harsh climatic changes. A lot of foodstuffs that have been advanced have better nutrient percentages, such as protein and calcium.
2. GMOs are easier to cultivate
This could be done by creating crops that are more resistant to pests. They may also be Genetically modified foods can also be manipulated to grow in specified and problematic made to have improved tolerance to numerous chemicals such as herbicides. As a result, farmers are able to get improve 3. They boost the yields that an individual can generate on existing lands
3. They boost the yields that an individual can generate on existing lands
GMO produce can be manipulated to give higher produce from the same cultivated lands. In some occurrences, the produce can possibly increase after transitioning to GMO from traditional crops thus making it possible to meet the food demands that the next generations are going to need.
4. GMOs can be transported to inaccessible regions of the world
Currently , food production in the world is 17% more than it is required for the population. The problem is how food can be dispensed to the countryside where individuals have little quantities of food. The time it takes for it to reach such areas is sufficient to get ruined before consumption.
Therefore, GMOs lengthen the natural life of the foodstuff and its resilience, permitting them to be transported to longer distances without wastage or going bad to communities that really need them.
5. Chemicals usage on GMO crops is lesser compared to other crops.
Based on a study conducted by PG Economics to measure the quantity of pesticide on cotton that had been genetically modified from 1996-2011, it was discovered that there had been a 6% decline in the amount of herbicides used compared to those that had not been modified.
6. According to the FDA, GMO foodstuffs potentially meet equal requisites as other foodstuffs
Stanford University made a comparison of genetically modified foods to organic foods and discovered that there was no compelling proof that either of the foods were more nourishing or more probable to come with added health dangers when consumed by people.
7. GMOs are able to preserve energy, soil and water
This allows our food distribution network to make less of an impact on the environment. Food can be cultivated in regions that have less rainfall and have no irrigation with appropriate genetic alterations. What is more, the crops have great resistance to weeds, pests, and diseases with a continuous yield, making it easier to plan for food sources and storage for a bigger populace.
8. It protects crops from extinction
A lot of foods people consume nowadays are products of a sole original source. For instance, each naval orange is basically a clone of a single original tree that was attached to create more trees.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
1. They might contribute to a rise in allergic reactions
Studies have shown that food-related allergic reactions in kids have risen from 3% to 5% in the last decade. Even though there is no proof supporting the notion that GMOs can cause a rise in allergies, the thought that it may happen has stuck in people’s minds causing them to keep away from genetically modified food.
2. Genetic food can prompt allergic reactions from different foods
GMOs that had bodybuilding nutrients from Brazil nuts were discovered to set off an allergy in individuals who are sensitive to them. Thus, any proteins that come from other foodstuffs must have a listing as part of the components and be tested to find out their capability of causing allergies.
3. GMOs may contribute to antibiotic resistance
GMOs are mostly incorporated with antibiotic-resistant genes so as to make the crops that will grow stronger. It is contemplated but not corroborated that the procedure could be contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
4. Some research has linked GMOs to cancer
A research that was initially published in 2013 showed that herbicide found in Round-up tolerant crops led to the development of cancer in rats. The paper was later taken back by the first journal that published it for having unfounded or deceptive information; however, other journals have printed it since the withdrawal. Thus, a lot of individuals have concluded that consumption of the modified corn could be dangerous to their health.
5. Herbicide resistance occurs even without genetic modification
Presently, there are 64 different sorts of weeds that have been verified to be resistant to atrazine. This is regardless of the reality that not any of the weeds have been coupled with GMO crops to promote such a resistance.
Various farmers in the Southeastern United States tend to lose up to half of their produce even when they have planted GMO crops to atrazine-resistant weeds.
6. GMO crops can contaminate other fields
Even though crops have been genetically modified, they still grow the same as other crops. This indicates that pollination is still needed to happen so as the crop can produce the intended “fruit.” For instance, bees play a major role in pollination, meaning they get exposed to the genetic transformations that occur in the crop.
The seeds that are produced can sometimes be extended to other agricultural lands, thus contaminating them. When cross-pollination happens, there is no result that can be predicted for both farms, although soybeans are an exemption because they do not cross-pollinate.
7. GMOs have the potential of affecting animal protein
The huge majority of the main plants in the United States that are planted are genetically modified. Such crops are subsequently given to livestock as food. Consequently, this affects animal-based groceries.
GMO components can be traced in eggs, milk, seafood and animal muscle tissues. In addition, honey can also contain components of GMO because of bees pollinating genetically modified plants for production.
Regarding the advantages and the disadvantages of GMOs, as seen, there is a lot of disinformation as there is truth. Even though GMOs are able to produce more food, they tend to cause digestive problems along the way. So it is important to address the treatment of GMO seeds, and also farmers should be allowed to use GMO seeds that spread to their farms without fearing lawsuits; this would increase the profits gained from farming.
CONCLUSION
How Do Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Affect the Environment?
Genetic modification is a contentious issue. The early warnings of environmentalists about the negative impacts of genetically modified (GM) plants are being proven correct. The following serious problems have been observed.
Increased use of Toxic Herbicides & Pesticides
Almost 100% of the GM crops grown in Canada – corn, soy, cotton, canola and sugar beet – are engineered to be tolerant to a specific herbicide. Most are tolerant to multiple herbicides. Data from the US and Latin America also shows that GM herbicide-tolerant crops have increased herbicide use. In the US, scientist Charles Benbrook found that total pesticide use was 24% higher for GM crops than for non-GM crops by 2011. The 2013 report “Soybean production in the Southern Come of the Americas: Update on Land and Pesticides Use” compiles and analyzes specific data on land and pesticide use in the main soybean producing countries of the Southern Cone of South America:.
Insect-Resistant Crops and Pesticide Use
GM insect-resistant (Bt) crops are engineered to produce a toxin that makes the entire plant toxic to some insects, such as butterflies and beetles. In the US, Bt crops decreased the use of insecticides by 124 million pounds between 1996 and 2011.
However, the toxin produced by the plant may also have adverse environmental impacts. Bt crops simply change the way that pesticides are used, from sprayed on to built-in. Overall, GM crops in the US have increased pesticide use by 403 million pounds (183 million kgs).
Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
The increased use of specific herbicides with GM herbicide-tolerant crops resulted in the emergence and spread of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds, or “superweeds” (currently 37 species of weeds that are tolerant to glyphosate around the world). These are weeds that develop resistance to certain herbicides when they are widely and frequently applied.
Herbicide-resistant weeds also present economic costs for farmers. In the US, weed management costs in infested fields are 50-100% higher per hectare than in those without glyphosate-resistant weeds. Some weeds have developed resistance to multiple herbicides, making them even harder to control. The spread of HR weeds in turn drives up herbicide use, leading to a “pesticide treadmill” that has serious impacts on environmental and human health.
REFFERENCES
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