Genetically Modified organisms(GMO) (original) (raw)
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using techniques in genetics generally known as recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant DNA technology is the ability to combine DNA molecules from different sources into the one molecule. An overarching ethical question is whether humans have the right to manipulate and modify other organisms in this manner, or whether it is " playing God. " In modern biological and biomedical research, the use of GMOs is acknowledged to be an invaluable tool for generating new knowledge. However, even if one has no normative objections to genetic engineering, research ethics questions arise: Do we know enough about what we are doing when we introduce new DNA? Is safety guaranteed? Does the research have an ethically acceptable purpose
Facts and horizons of genetically modified organisms/foods and health issues
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022
A GMO stands for genetically modified organism, whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature. GMO foods (GMF) were introduced in the 1990s. Nowadays, GMF includes many plants and animals, whose genetic materials (DNA) structure has been modified. A biologist researcher creates GMOs by introducing genetic material, or DNA, from a different organism through a process called genetic engineering. Crops are most often genetically modified to increase production, improve diseases protection, improve resistance to insects, and herbs as well as modified to contain extra nutrients, such as vitamins and proteins. Animals can be genetically modified to increase production and improve quality. Foods produced from GMOs are often referred to as GM foods (GMF), where they are carefully studied before they are sold to the public to ensure they are safe. These st...
Genetic engineering results into the formation of crops that have altered genetic makeups and so are the foods derived from them. Genetic modification is a modern practice of food production and involves the alteration of genes of crops like vegetables, cereals and fruits. This process helps in supplementing the natural food production measures. The foods produced using traditional methods face several difficulties, making it difficult to rely on them for global food supply. The crops with scientific manipulations possess added advantages that make them preferable over the traditionally produced breeds.
Genetically Modified Organisms
This paper is an attempt to condense and examine the merit(s) of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO s ) in global industries, particularly food production and distribution. The notion of GMO s resulting from various technologies is visited from the standpoint of relative improvement in livestock and crops. We will evaluate key research geared to the assessment of technologies instrumental in the production of GMO s . The safety factor relating to the consumption of food comprised of GMO s pertaining to humans and lower order mammalians will be considered. Likewise, ongoing concerns as to the impact of GMO s on the environment are reviewed. The possibility of bias as it pertains to research driven by geo-political interests and economic agendas seems to factor into this timely debate and will be placed into perspective. My conclusion is that GMO s are a welcome technologic advance, serving to improve food production and distribution relative to the world's need for more abundant quantities and efficient techniques to prevail in the battle against hunger and famine.
Genetically Modified Food Products (GMOs)
Genetically modified foods are becoming quite prominent today. By genetically modifying crops, we can see a reduction of the use of pesticides and insecticides, increases in nutrients through biofortification, increases in quantity and size of crop yields and more. However, by genetically modifying crops, we are finding ourselves with un-natural products that could possibly be dangerous if over-consumed, such as those crops that contain the known carcinogen glyphosate; and products that are proving to be even more allergenic than their non-genetically modified parent. The process of approving genetically modified foods for consumption is also not very distinctive. It is overseen by three different agencies, however none of them actually approve anything: they just advise and suggest tests to be conducted. If their suggestions are followed, they often ‘approve’ of the product, giving it a ‘generally recognized as safe’ rating. Since genetically modifying foods is a relatively newer process, it is hard to determine what the future ramifications could be. We can do comparative tests on current genetically modified crops, however, to determine whether their nutritional values are equivalent to their natural parent crop.
THE RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD
Genetically engineered foods are produced from crops whose genetic makeup has been altered through a process called recombinant DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), or gene splicing, to give the plant a desirable trait. It involves the production and use of recombinant DNA and has been employed to create bacteria that synthesize insulin and other human proteins. Genetically engineered foods are also known as biotech, bioengineered, and genetically modified, although "genetically modified" can also refer to foods from plants altered through other breeding methods. Genes are the blueprints for every part of an organism. Genetic engineering is the process of artificially modifying these blueprints. It is a very young, exciting, and controversial branch of the biological sciences. Genetically modifying plants for hundreds of years, Hybrid corn and tangelos (hybrid of a tangerine and grapefruit), for example, are the result of genetic modification through traditional methods of plant breeding. And the many varieties of apples we eat today were produced through genetic modification. These genetic changes are radically different from those resulting from traditional methods of breeding. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s.
Genetically modified food.docx
The need for food security in the globe has forced researchers to look for new ways that could help in the production of more food to feed the growing world population and avoid incidents of starvation. Although the conventional techniques of growing food crops are still widely used in the production of most the food consumed today, other methods and crop and animal breeds that resist diseases have been discovered. The types of foods that do not follow the traditional ways of growing are known as Genetically Modified Foods (GMF). Producers who grow the GMFs introduce a few other things in the crops including vitamins, minerals and a few other benefits that help the crops to grow without issues especially diseases and also produce extra large fruits. Nonetheless, GMFs do not only comprise of food stuff from plants but also animal products such as meat, milk, and other animal products. The use of genetically engineering techniques for the production of food could immensely benefit the world population with numerous advantages. Subsequently, some researches show that GMFs have certain health benefits, so they are safe to eat and can be used in the fight against global hunger by feeding the ever growing population.
For years, the human beings have tried to improve everything around them. The food does not escape to this reality, and that is the reason why today a new kind of it is found in supermarkets. This new type of food, is employing the genetic engineering to change its original characteristics, in order to improve it. However, it is important to know what we are eating and this brings us a question: is that food really good for us? Although the use of this techniques in food could have many different benefits for health and for the agriculture industry, they can also present several potential disadvantages.
Genetically Modified foods; in context of developing countries
A genetically modified (GM) food is a result of recombinant DNA biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic makeup of an organism to be modified. This can be accomplished by incorporating genes from other organisms or by rearranging genes already present. These changes can result in the expression of attributes not found in the original organism (Schneider and Schneider, 2013). Foods and food ingredients consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms, or produced from such organisms are called Genetically Modified foods (Pandey, 2014). A developing country, also called a less-developed country (LDC), is a nation with a lower living standard, underdeveloped industrial base, and low Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries. There is no universal, agreed-upon criterion for what makes a country developing versus developed and which countries fit these two categories, although there are general reference points such as a nation's GDP per capita compared to other nations (Wiki., 2013). There are many factors that contribute to poverty and hunger in developing countries, including war, political instability, lack of infrastructure and poor economic conditions. Agriculture has a crucial role to play in developing countries, especially as a source of employment, income and food for the people (Anon., 2003). It is claimed that genetically modified (GM) crops and foods offer a range of benefits to a variety of beneficiaries, including higher productivity and lower pesticide costs for producers; less environmental pollution from pesticides and herbicides, and new crop varieties to ameliorate hunger in developing countries (Gaskell et al., 2004). As it is clear that agriculture is only the occupation that everyone can easily follow in the developing countries, the life of people depends on the seeds of the crops. The biotech companies such as Monsanto are enforcing the countries to accept the GM foods because not only to end the food problem but to rule over the seed market of the world. GM seeds are viable for only one growing season so the farmers should buy the seeds for the next season. This aids in the statement that biotech companies want to rule in the seed market (Smith, 2003). The Genetic Modification (GM) method entails the transfer of foreign gene (transgene) in to another cell to obtain the desired traits. Developed world, having material and intellectual capacities, leads the studies on transgenic technology for production increase and improved food quality. In fact, there is not only enough but even too much 2 food in the developed world. However, developing countries that need this technology to exceed the food shortage cannot afford it. Hence, gene technology is not a remedy to prevent the world from starvation (Verma, et al., 2011). Today GM Foods are hot topic of discussion all over the world. The technology never comes alone with benefits only; there always remains a risk associated with it. Though at present it seems to be beneficial for the developing countries GM Foods should be accepted very wisely (Zarrilli, 2005)
Technology and Food Needs: GMOs for GFN: Genetically Modified Organisms and Global Food Needs
sustainability, 2004
Global forces increasingly lead us to invoke technological solutions to social, environmental, health and most other problems. In agricultural terms, the last time that the world seemed destined to run out of food, the Green Revolution successfully applied technologies that averted disaster. These technologies may be grouped as irrigation, fertiliser and genetic manipulation, the first two of which seem to offer little further prospect for increasing food production unless the genetic potential of crops and animals is further improved. Accordingly, new breeding technologies are the focus of much research that purports to offer hope to the potentially food insecure regions of the world. So, those who advocate the development and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) claim, among other benefits, the potential for improving the nutrition of poorer countries. Outside the public fear campaigns and quasi-debates that surround the introduction of GMOs into Western diets and environments, there remains a need for honesty and distance from vested interests among scientists. The potential of GMOs includes; accelerating genetic change from the generational time-lines of traditional breeding, accelerating or retarding ripening and maturation processes, and controlling spoilage rates to suit harvesting, processing, distribution and retailing demands, as well as potential super-profits to
Genetically modified organisms and their critics
The potential benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) used for food purposes include reduced costs of production, reduced use of agro-chemicals and increased shelf life. In view of the novelty of these constructs, there are numerous unresolved scientific issues about their safety, their impact on the environment etc. In addition, the drawbacks include significant and potentially disastrous reduction in food security in the developing world. The agenda for the debate over genetically modified organisms is dominated by multinational companies with vested interests in the successful marketing of these products, although research is conducted by a wide rage of institutions. However, they are now opposed by a coalition pressure groups, some of whom favour direct action and others putting forward crypto-religious objections which may act to undermine legitimate scientific concerns and the debate has thus become polarised. The major issue for developing countries is food security; claims that GMOs will address world hunger are distinctly spurious. The impact of a radical shift in crop ecology is greater in less developed countries where loss of a crop can lead to disaster.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: A SOLUTION TO FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
The concern of food security and environment sustainability is having high priority due to huge population and alarming prices of commodity worldwide. International organisations are trying hard to find ways to remove hunger, poverty, and health issues. The per capita availability of food remains stagnant as the world's population is increasing, and any attempt to decrease poverty is further increasing demand for food. By 2050 world population will reach up to 9.5 billion but world seems inefficient to feed them. Generally, Asian and African agriculture is a gamble of monsoon which is highly erratic. Further, farmers are using different types of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizer etc. to increase production which are directly and indirectly influence the food quality and environmental sustainability. The goal of the paper is to show an alternative arrangement that the GMOs have potential to offer nutritious food as well maintain the environmental sustainability through analysing the present data of countries which adopted GMOs technique. In the 21st century Biotechnology has applied as one of the eco-friendly-technology. Many developed countries have opted to incorporate the technology to improve their productivity. One such way to meet the demand is by using Genetically Modified food (GM food). GM foods are produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. The paper attempts to suggest that scientists, policymakers, experts and farmers should collaborate to find new and creative ways to increase food production to arrange the growing demand of food in a sustainable way. The growing constraints of land and water availability, technological inventions could use for providing more sustainable and nutritious alternative for the coming generations.
Genetically Modified Foods Review
New biotechnological methods have been recently used to improve the quality and quantity of foods in our globalized world to meet the demands exponentially increasing world population. Recombinant DNA technology help the scientists to transfer desirable traits more rapidly, predictably and precisely than the previous conventional methods. Since the mid-1990"s, genetic modification techniques has flourished rapidly that can help to boost agricultural productivity, but the technology is not fully understood by many of the consumers till date. There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health. By inserting genes from organisms which have never been eaten as food, new proteins with unexpected functions are introduced into the human and animal food chains. Many GM crops contain genes which provide resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, which could be passed from food to bacteria in the guts of humans and animals. Besides, the process of growing plant cells into GM plants may create huge number of mutations throughout the genome which can have their multiple interacting effects. Viral genes that are generally inserted into some disease resistant crops generally produce viral proteins which may suppress the immune system of human body against viral infections, particularly in the gut region. The gut microorganisms can produce large amounts of potentially harmful proteins if the viral genes can get entry inside these organisms. The new varieties of genetically modified seeds can increase the price of seeds, which can raise the question of affordability of the poor farmers of the developing countries. The terminator technology is increasing the dependency of the farmers on the multinational companies and can eventually destroy the indigenous seed varieties. These new technologies have triggered many questions regarding bioethics, human rights and food security, and most of them remain unanswered.