Research Paper about GMO

📌Category: Food, Genetics, GMO, Science
📌Words: 1351
📌Pages: 5
📌Published: 25 March 2022

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been an increasingly hot topic over the last few decades. People worry if GMOs will affect their health or the health of the environment and cause a lack of biodiversity. GMOs are resistant to herbicides which will lead farmers to increase their herbicide use which will be detrimental to the environment. In addition to this consumers wonder if there has been enough research done on the effects of GMOs.  The debate boils down to it more important to feed the growing population? Or is the health of the population and the environment more important?  This being said, others feel that without the use of GMOs we will not be able to feed our growing population. GMOs also eliminate the need to use pesticide on crops, which can actually be beneficial to the environment. 

The global population is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050, if we are going to produce enough food to sustain this amount of people we are going to have to make some changes (Stebbins, 2019). In an article on why GMOs might be necessary the author states, “With that many people already suffering from insufficient food and nutrition, and the effects of climate change—droughts, flooding and fires, to name a few—looming larger than ever before, something must be done to ensure we not only feed the current population, but the expected future population as well” (Smolokoff, 2019, para. 4). Using GMOs can allow farmers to produce more crops quicker, which will allow more food to be produced (Mysore, 2012). GMOs will also allow crops to grow in less than ideal weather conditions and soils, this will increase the amount of farmable land that is available and will allow food to still be grown in our changing climate. Using genetically modified crops will also allow for production costs and will allow food to be sold at lower prices which will allow more people to be able to afford them (Are GMOs necessary to feed to the world?, 2016).

By using genetically modified plants farmers are eliminating the need to use pesticides on their crops. Genetically modified plants are able to produce their own pesticides and this helps them to keep the pests that threaten them at bay (Why do we use GMOs?,2020). The majority of genetically modified crops that are being grown are used to solve issues that are caused by pests and weeds (Why do we use GMOs?, 2020). An article from the FDA states, “Some GMO plants contain plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) to make them resistant to insects, reducing the need for and use of many spray pesticides.” (Agriculture Biotechnology,,para. 13). Decreasing the amount of pesticides that are being used will benefit the environment as it decreases health risks. Pesticides have a variety of negative affects on human health including issues with the nervous system, skin and eye irritation, hormone and endocrine system issues, and can lead to cancers. By using GMOs we can decrease human exposure to pesticides and along with that reduce the chances of compromising human health (Human Health Issues Related to Pesticides, 2018). Pesticides negatively affect the environment in many ways as well, whether it be leaching into groundwater and polluting it or killing off pollinators, using GMOs can help to stop it. (Fishel, 2003). 

While it may seem that GMOs are new, they have actually been around for a long time, according to an article written by the FDA they have been in our foods since the 1990’s. GMOs, having been around this long, have been well researched. Research done on GMO crops has shown that it is just as safe to eat and feed to animals as it is non-GMO foods (Agriculture Biotechnology, 20). An article put out by Purde about how GMOs affect the health of the organisms that consume them states, “GMOs have undergone more detailed evaluation than any other group of plants that we consume” (Do GMOs Harm Health?, 20, para. 2). On top of all the research don't about GMOs there are also regulations in place that have to be followed. “USDA regulates the import, interstate movement, transport and environmental release of GE crops through regulations issued under the Plant Protection Act. Under those regulations, regulated GE crops must submit to one of three oversight processes before release into the environment.” (Jaffe, 2016, p. 4). This excerpt from an article on regulations on genetically modified foods shows just how strict the USDA and other organizations are when it comes to GMOs. 

People have many concerns about GMOs, a large concern being how it will affect the environment. A quote from an article on why GMOs will negatively affect the environment reiterates the concern by stating, “The Earth’s environment is constantly being damaged already by processes such as the burning of fossil fuels, hydro fracking, and people smoking tobacco products.  If we add GMOs on top of all the issues already presented, we are only hurting the future of this world.” (Curran, 2015, para.3). While GMOs will allow for a decrease in insecticide use which is beneficial to the environment, they will make it easier for farmers to use large amounts of herbicides. This proposes a new threat to the environment, an increase in herbicide use will cause problems with biodiversity and will increase both air and water pollution. This increased pollution will desecrate ecosystems causing extensive environmental damage (GMO Study Shows Massive Environmental Damage in US, 2016). An economist named Federico Ciliberto, who has led the largest study on genetically modified crops and pesticide use thus far, said, “he was surprised by the extent to which herbicide use had increased and concerned about the potential environmental impact.” (GMO Study Shows Massive Environmental Damage in US, 2016, para. 18). Ciliberto’s study showed a striking increase in herbicide use and Ciliberto stated his concern on the subject when he stated, “I did not expect to see such a strong pattern”. (Newman, 2016, para 16).

Since genetic engineering is rather new the long term health effects of GMOs are still not known which is something that concerns many people (Hirsch, 2018). There has however been a number of studies done on the possible health effects, the majority of the research has been done on animals. The studies done have shown a multitude of possible medical problems including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and gastrointestinal issues. The BT toxin, or Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, is argued to be safe, this is because in its natural state it is safe, however the modified version of it is not. The bt toxin is used in organic farming due to its ability to degrade in sunlight and is able to be washed off so that it is not consumed, however when it is being used in genetic engineering it is inserted into the crop and cannot degrade or be washed off (Human Health and GMOs, 2014). 

Using GMOs is believed to be a threat to biodiversity and genetic diversity. An article put out by Harvard states, “A major concern of genetically modified organisms is that they will cause reduced genetic diversity of plants and animals in the environment.A major concern of genetically modified organisms is that they will cause reduced genetic diversity of plants and animals in the environment” (Landry, 2015, para. 3). If genetic diversity declines there will be a lack of different types of genes, this lack of genes will make the DNA of the plants too similar. The reason that this is an issue is because if there is a disease that takes out one plant, all of the plants will also be taken out by the disease. An example of a time that this happened is the potato famine, the potato famine caused widespread hunger in Ireland, the difference is this could happen on a global scale due to GMOs (Why is genetic diversity important?, 2020).

GMOs are a very controversial topic and they are only becoming more controversial. There are many concerns surrounding the use of GMOs. The main concerns are how GMOs will affect both the health of humans and the environment. There are also concerns about how using genetically modified organisms will affect gene diversity. While there are unanswered questions about  GMOs some people feel that they are necessary to feed our growing population. They will also allow for a decrease in pesticide use which will benefit the environment and people's health. There are solid points and supporting research from both sides of the argument and for now it boils down to personal preference. People who do not want to consume GMOs can purchase foods labeled non GMO as opposed to food that is not labeled, and people who want to support GMOs can purchase and consume products that do contain GMOs.

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