The Benefits Of Genetically Modified Foods Essay Example

Genetic modification is the act of changing genes to create new organisms. People have different opinions about genetic modification and whether it is harmful or beneficial. Genetic modification of our everyday foods have already been used. Genetically modified foods are useful for an increased number of crops, a reduction in pesticides used on foods, and a reduced cost on food production. 

Genetically modified foods are useful for an increased number of crops because “The foundation of GMO technology is improving crop breeding. GMO’s are researched, developed, and brought to market specifically to address a problem.” (Sims 17) Genetic modification is increasing the number of crops is great and avoids greenhouse gas emissions. Genetically modified foods increasing the number of crops is a good thing for our growing population. A counter argument would be that genetically modified foods have not been fully researched, so how would we know that it would increase the number of crops rather than decrease it? Yes, losing crops is a large factor that researchers are concerned about, however genetically modified foods have been researched for over 20 years. Within those 20 years 357.7 million tons of corn growth has increased, 25.2 million tons of cotton increased, and 10.6 million tons of canola have increased. 

Genetically modified foods are useful because it reduces the pesticides used on foods. “GMO technology is making plants more resistant to pests and decreasing pesticide application. While farmers use safe and regulated practices for pesticide application, the reduction in pesticide use has a positive impact on the environment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, growing more food on less land; and, consumer access to a variety of affordable foods year-round.”(Stebbins 1)  Plants and crops obtaining resistance to pests and decreasing pesticide application can have a huge impact on people's health. The long term effects of ingesting pesticides include rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, diarrhea and death. Also the thousands of dollar farmers are spending on pesticides, will make the  access to a variety of foods affordable. There would be a counter argument.

Genetically modified foods are useful because it reduces the cost for food production. For example in the article “3 ways GMOs keep the cost of food down” by Michael Stebbins states “In terms of productivity, Brookes says that new biotechnology has generated the equivalent of “an extra 122 million tons of soybeans, 237 million tons of corn, 18 million tons of cotton lint and 6.6 million tons of canola between 1996 and 2012. Meanwhile, the increase in productivity goes hand in hand with savings on pesticides and fuel compared to conventional methods” Stebbins agrees with the fact that GMOs use little to know pesticides which allows food prices to be affordable all year round.  There would not be a counter argument.

In conclusion genetically modified foods help the environment through  increasing the number of crops, reducing the pesticides used on foods, and reducing the cost for food production.