Essay Sample about Genetically Modified Food Safety

Is genetically modified food safe, or is there a better alternative? For thousands of years, genetically engineered food has been a technique for scientists to explore their desire to modify traits of living things long before humans were aware of genetics. Those who support extending the use of genetically modified foods believe that the issue is with scientists and consumers who are worried about the danger to human health and the environment. Although, others who oppose the use of GMOs contend that, as with any technological innovation, the rewards must be evaluated against the hazards. My research on the risks of utilizing genetically modified food is to determine if it is safe for scientists to continue using it.

Advocates propose of genetically modified crops are designed to be resistant to chemical toxins as well as organic dangers such as fungus, insects, weeds, and disease while growing. They have found that “they are developed for faster growth rates, the ability to withstand environmental stressors, and for increased productivity.”(Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection). According to the author, “Although the technological advances that allowed the creation of GMOs are impressive, as with any new technology, the benefits must be weighed against the risks.” (Gale). These are examples of how scientists have taken GMOs to a completely different level by altering the shape of living creatures to make them last longer through the use of new technologies and experiments.

The goal of critics is to demonstrate that genetically modified foods are not the answer to world hunger. John Robbins is the founder of EarthSave as well as the co-founder and president of the Food Revolution Network claims The biotech companies have invested billions of dollars because they sense in this technology the potential for enormous profit and the means to gain control over the world's food supply.“Their goal is not to help subsistence farmers feed themselves and Their goal is to maximize profit.” (Robbins). The author claims that the assumption that genetically modified crops are essential to feed a world population expected to expand by two billion people lives is deceiving.“The solution is not genetically modified crops but rather reducing world poverty and choosing diets that are less resource-intensive.” (Fromartz). The research shows that they are simply modifying meals for for-profit and therefore are not harming humans.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using genetically modified foods, which is why this is such a controversial subject. I see the possibility of continuing to incorporate GMOs because if they hurt people, scientists would not have been utilizing them for thousands of years. However, I am concerned that if scientists don't stop genetically engineered crops, people might one day be unable to eat organic foods.

Work cited

Gitig, Diana. “Planting GMOs kills so many bugs that it helps non-GMO crops.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2022. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/UAHPYT657454061/OVIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=7c402ade. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022. Originally published as “Planting GMOs kills so many bugs that it helps non-GMO crops,” Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2018.

“Genetically Modified Food.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2021. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3010999249/OVIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=ca459721. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

Robbins, John. “Genetically Modified Foods Are Not the Answer to World Hunger.” Global Sustainability, edited by Dedria Bryfonski, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010988207/OVIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=223ea891. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022. Originally published as “Can GMOs Help End World Hunger?”, 10 Dec. 2012.

“Genetically modified organism.” Environmental Encyclopedia, edited by Deirdre S. Blanchfield, Gale, 2011. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CV2644150611/OVIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=154e5227. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

Fromartz, Samuel. “Genetically Modified Foods Will Not Help Address the Global Food Crisis.” Global Sustainability, edited by Dedria Bryfonski, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010988209/OVIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=9d893cb9. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022. Originally published as “How to Feed the World by 2050: Biotech Isn't the Answer,” Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2011.