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Environment
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are a current environmental topic. A large portion of genetically modified foods, in the United States, for example, are foods grown on a farm. Many forms of produce, including vegetables and fruits are genetically modified. Animals that are raised to be slaughtered for food are also victims of GMOs. In global news, people around the world are protesting GMOs. Some people do not want any GMOs as part of their food supply. Some people advocate that products that are GMOs must be properly labeled as such so that consumers can make more informed decisions regarding their food consumption. There is not much regulation for companies to label foods as GMO, and this is another issue within the issue. GMO's must be grown and cultivated slightly different than regular foods. GMO cultivation may involve spraying or dusting the crops with substances that are harmful to the humans and animals who may eat them, as well as harmful to the land in which the food is grown. In some cases, GMOs are exposed to certain forms of radiation in order for them to grow with the intended modifications. Other popular GMOs are corn, soybeans, and canola. These products are foods that are used in many other food products, especially ones that require sugars and oils. GMOs have greater risks to safety to humans, animals, and land than compared with normal foods. GMOs are a safety risk and some would say a safety hazard, both while they are being grown and after they are sold (and eaten). GMOs can be cultivated to have or lack certain traits with respect to the natural counterparts. Some GMO apples, for example, can be modified to resist turning brown after the skin has been pierced. Some GMO bananas may lack seeds. Again, the growth of some of these products is dangerous from start to finish. GMOs are often sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers that kill bugs, animals, and that are harmful for humans, too. The process by which GMOs are created seem to cause the greatest concern or risk to safety. They are grown because they can grow faster and in greater quantities than…
References:
Frewer, L., Lassen, J., Kettlitz, B., Scholderer, J., Beekman, V., & Berdal, K.G. (2004). Societal aspects of genetically modified foods. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42(7), 1181 -1193.
Kulper, H.A., Kleter, G.A., Noteborn, H.P.J.M., & Kok, E.J. (2001). Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods. The Plant Journal, 27(6), 503 -- 528.
McCluskey, J.J., Grimsrud, K.M., Ouchi, H., & Wahl, T.I. (2003). Consumer response to genetically modified food products in Japan. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 32(2), 222-231.
Protection and preservation of the environment through increased yields and reduced use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. This is because genetically modified foods grow at a faster rate and in bigger quantities which means less forest land is cleared for agriculture and the natural habitats and biodiversity is preserved. The crops are also made pest and disease resistant which means that less pesticides and herbicides are used which could pollute
On a biological level, consumption of genetically modified foods means the potential for "pleiotropic and insertional effects," Dona explains on page 165. Pleiotropic refers to the possibility that a gene may have more than one affect on the food. The above-mentioned effects could result from an increase of "anti-nutrients"; and moreover human health could be impacted due to the use of "viral DNA," Dona continues (165). The pleiotropic affect could
One of the most interesting articles, "Genetic Engineering Risks," really described the issue with GMOs: the difference between genetically engineered organisms and their non-engineered counterparts is usually just one gene or a handful of genes and genetically engineered organisms have new genes that are put into their DNA using molecular technology; they would not have been able to do this with traditional breeding methods. "Because such a small fraction of
Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill believed in the subjugation of individual interests for the sake of society as a whole, but only when necessary. Of course, determining when such subjugation is necessary is not at all simple, and this is the task in which Mill distinguished himself as a philosopher. In his treatise on moral philosophy, "Utilitarianism," Mill proposed the "greatest-happiness principle" a sort of pseudo-mathematical, economic equation to determine the desirability
Section 2: Genetically modified (GM) foods have been a hot topic of conversation over the last decade. Environmental groups, public interest groups and governmental agencies have all voiced their opinions over the increasing development and use of genetically modified foods. Genetic engineering involves transferring genes from one species of living organism to another, to provide some sort of benefit. Although the genetic modifications are typically performed on crops, such as corn
GMO GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS Risks and Perceptions Analysis of Genetically Modified Foods Genetically modified foods have the potential of solving many of the issues that are present in respect to feeding the world's population; especially as it grows to an estimate nine billion by the end of the century. The technologies can create crops that are able to resist certain insects and are more suitable to grow in less than ideal environmental conditions.