Technological advancements in the scientific field have led to the advent of genetic engineering, including the genetic modification (GM) of food that may hold the key to the solution of many existing problems like food shortage, world hunger and genetic diseases. Uzogara (2000) state that the intentional attempt to alter the genetic make-up of plants or animals is known as genetic modification. Scientists have shown the potential benefits that those genetically engineered crops can bring about such as increased shelf-life in Flavr Savr Tomato and pest-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, which are said to benefit the producers. From the consumers’ point of view, what matters most is the health benefits that genetically engineered crops will bring about, which wild-type food crops may not be able to do. …show more content…
However, the health hazards that the food crops manufactured by this new technology might pose are rarely made known to the public by the scientists who are working on genetically engineered crops, hoping that vagueness will breed ignorance (Pringle, 2005). I believe that the perils far outweigh the promises of genetically modified organisms. In chapters 2 and 11 of Pringle’s Food Inc, naysayers of genetic engineering called these genetically modified organisms “Frankenfood” because they believe that they can cause potential health hazards to humans. “Frankenfood” threatens human health due to the health problems it may bring such as allergenic reactions, potential diseases, antibiotic resistance in the gut and also a decrease in levels of other nutrients in the modified food