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GMO Persuasive Essay

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Within the past 20 years, the way that our food is grown has changed dramatically. Prior to this time, farmers grew crops and raised livestock naturally, unchanged by science. Although pesticides and herbicides have been used on crops for over 75 years, the actual genetic material of the crops had not yet been changed (“What is GMO?”). The crops and their genes remained pure until the introduction of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Ever since the growth and production of GMOs began, the way humans purchase and consume food changed. Unfortunately, the effects of this under-researched science remain unknown. (Abou-Gabal). Despite the fact that scientists do not have sufficient information on GMOs, genetically modified food now makes up nearly 90 percent of America’s food (Fernandez-Cornejo et al. 5-26). Although GMOs are a significant part of our food supply, genetically modified organisms should be prohibited from human consumption.
In order to understand the process that creates the food we consume daily, …show more content…

GMO protestors argue that genetically modified organisms may cause health issues in humans. The Institute for Responsible Technology says, “Genetically modified foods have been linked to toxic and allergic reactions, sick, sterile and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ studied in lab animals”. If genetically modified foods cause damage in animals, these foods have the potential to cause issues in the human body as well. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, or the AAAS, says that the consumption of genetically modified organisms is risky (Lallanilla). ….GMOs are often treated with “Roundup Ready”, a Monsanto product, posing a health threat due to the extreme chemicals. Glyphosate, a chemical in “Roundup Ready”, has been found to possibly cause cancer, adding to the health hazards that GMOs are associated with

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The Non-GMO talk passionately about the effects GMOs have on human bodies and the environment. They do have valid statements such as, “In the absence of credible independent long-term feeding studies, the safety of GMOs is unknown” (Non-GMO Project). This is completely true. There have been no long-term studies on what GMOs can do to humans which can be a caution people can take when deciding of they want to consume products that have been genetically modified. However, the other of this argument, the people against GMOs, have created such a panic within the rest of the country that many decide to get GMO free products just in case there are negative effects.

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In “The Threats from Genetically Modified Foods”, Robin Mather effectively brings awareness to the harmful side effects of genetically modified foods. She shares genetically modified foods are foods with an altered genetic make-up and therefore, is banned in several countries. Also, the pesticides used in genetically modified foods yield harmful side effects to animals and humans. On top of health hazards, the process of labeling these foods are not as costly as the Federal Drug Administration declares. Furthermore, she discredits the FDA’s credibility by revealing the bovine growth hormone (produced in cow’s pituitary glands and is a genetic modification) raises the risk of cancer; although, the FDA approves it.

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GMOs are considered to be the next agricultural “innovation” as some would say, but this is incorrect. They think that GMOs are a way to feed everyone on earth. Giving them the nutrients that they need to grow in conditions that most plants can’t live in, while not causing harm to physical and environmental health. They are wrong. GMOs do more harm than good.

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According to the World Health Organization, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The United States is the world leader in genetically engineered crop production, with 165 million acres, or nearly half of global production. Currently in the United States, approximately 85% of all processed foods contain GMOs (www.gmofilm.com). Labeling is about empowering people towards informed decision making, so what 's bad about it? Despite being at the frontiers of cutting edge research & development the United States

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What do a tomato, soybean and a french fry have in common? They are all some of the most commonly genetically modified foods sold on the market today. By using the genetic information from one organism, and inserting or modifying it into another organism, scientists can make food crops stay fresher, grow bigger, and have the crops create their own pesticides. Nevertheless, the technology to modify genes has surpassed its practicality. Genetically modified foods need to be removed from everyday agriculture because of the threat they pose to human health, the environment, and the impact on global economy.

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The labelling of genetically modified foods is seen as wholesome common sense, and it should be required to have the information on the back of every product. People have been manipulating the genetic makeup of plants for numerous generations using the process of traditional cross breeding. Genetically modified crops have been traded, grown and consumed around the world, including Australia since 1996. The progress and advancement in this field has impacted the way we view the deeper issues of this technology. While genetic engineering crop property has been gradually increasing, so have concerns, in that producing and eating genetically modified foods may pose unexpected environmental and health hazards.

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The authors state, “In an attempt to minimize such uncertainties, many laws, restrictions, and legislations have emerged, and in most countries legislative procedures for the approval of any GM crop used for food or feed now exist” (Udriste and Badulescu 308-309). With this technology in the food industry comes associated risks such as impacts on ecosystem health, such as un-natural gene flow, effects on nontarget species, weediness, and herbicide and insecticide toxicity. There may be positive effects that come from GM foods but Perls adds in the fact that “the early evidence suggests that they may contribute more problems than solutions” (Perls 17). Not only can consuming GMOs affect a person’s health, but it can also affect the world around them without them even knowing. Although some GM foods have negative effects, not all do which is why individual GM food and their safety should be assessed on a specific basis.

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Health problems of GMOs include the potential of single-handedly convincing the world to stop modifying organisms (Bailey 1-4). GMOs, among the world’s silent killers, harm humans, wildlife, and the environment

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Why are genetically modified products harmful? Though genetically modifying crops may increase crop output, there are several health risks that outweigh this positive point. There is currently no requirement by the FDA for GMOs to be labeled. This is a negative, because if you do not want to purchase GMOs, you cannot know for sure what you are purchasing. You must look for foods with a seal stating the food is “Non-GMO Project Verified,” otherwise you may consume genetically modified foods.

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Genetically modified organisms are stocking up the grocery aisles with deceivingly plump tomatoes and identical ears of corn. These crops are the products of gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology and this relatively new science is negatively affecting the way food being utilized for human consumption. Genetically modified organisms are responsible for major environmental hazards and health risks around the globe. Producing and consuming GMOs is simply not worth the risks it creates when conventional farming is perfectly adequate for food production in today’s modern world. Therefore, America and other countries alike should entirely ban the production of genetically modified foods from their food industry.

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For years, the health and safety of genetically modified foods have been debated and researched by scientists, but the question still stands: should genetically modified foods be allowed for consumption? The process of genetic modification involves inserting a gene from bacteria or a virus into an organism where it would normally not be found. The purpose is to alter the genetic code in plants and animals to make them more productive or resistant to pests or farming techniques. Genetically modified organisms, more commonly known as GMOs, have been a controversial topic of debate for a number of reasons. The ethics behind genetically modified foods come into question due to an abundance of short and long-term effects from the process, many of which are still unknown today.

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It’s a popular topic on the media that GMOs are bad for the human body. Well, little did the they know that ninety percent of corn grown in the US is genetically modified (Margie Kelly), and the body can 't even distinguish between GMOs and non-GMOs! There are people debating that GMOs are unhealthy, bad for the economy and even the environment. These people must be uneducated on this topic. Genetically modified crops improve our society because they allow farmers to yield a larger crop, improve the quality their crop, and lessen the negative environmental impacts of their crops.

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Since the invention of genetically modified organisms, there has been constant debate on the potential health risks, but according to Modern Agriculture in “The Science Inside a GMO seed,” “GM [genetically modified] seeds have been tested more than any other product in the history of agriculture—with no evidence of harm to humans, animals, or the environment.” Modern agriculture is saying that after massive amounts of research, scientists from all over the world have performed a large variety of tests and none of them have provided substantial evidence to prove that GMOs are harmful. This evidence not only showed that GMOs are not harmful to humans, but it also shows that GMOs are not harmful to animals or the environment. Many people argue that the possible risks associated with GMOs outweigh the rewards, but because GMOs provide more nutritious foods, create a smaller carbon footprint than normal crops, and have not been proven

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GMOs are usually engineered to withstand herbicides, which are sprayed on them to kill weeds, however, weeds are becoming more and more resistant to these herbicides. Seventy-two percent of US GMO crops are engineered to tolerate a certain type of herbicide, but the weeds that these herbicides used to kill are coming back bigger and stronger, creating herbicide-resistant “superweeds” that require greater quantities of more toxic pesticides to eradicate (GMO INSIDE). Other than the environmental damage GMOs could pose a threat to humans by creating new allergies. There’s evidence that the new substances engineered into some GMO foods can mimic potent, potentially life-threatening allergens (GMO INSIDE). These are just a couple of risks GMOs pose to humans and environment.

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Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are living organisms whose genetic material has been synthetically mutated in order to add genes and hormones to deliver a desired trait. These genetically engineered foods (GM foods) and organisms have been around since the 1990’s. Many of the foods we eat include genetically transformed ingredients. The topic of GM foods and GMO’s very controversial. A large percent of people disagree on the production of these altered foods.

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