Genetically Modified Foods And The Controversy Surrounding It

1314 Words6 Pages

Genetically Modified Foods and the Controversy Surrounding it According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism. In this essay, the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified foods, the controversies of genetically modified foods, the process of genetically modified golden rice and soya beans and their advantages, local supermarkets – Woolworths and Shoprite and Checkers – and their stock of genetically modified foods will be discussed. Genetically Modification is a Controversial Field of Science There are many advantages and …show more content…

Genetically modified crops help the environment. They require less chemicals to survive therefore lessening the impact it has on the environment. Chemicals that are usually used on non-genetically modified foods emit greenhouse gases and pollute the soil. The genetically modified foods have an added resistance to diseases that normally would kill of that specific crop. This keeps the production of the crop high and lowers the price of it. Since more common crops are produced, it will decrease the price of it. Genetically modified foods is an easy way to get crops to provide food for an extremely large population of humans. This is the main goal of genetically modified foods. In genetically modified foods, the genes can be altered to increase nutrition and have a better taste. Genetically modified foods stay fresh for longer than non-genetically modified foods. On the other hand, cross contamination between plants can occur. Pollen can be contaminated and when it is around other plants, it can have the same resistance as the original plant. Since the introduction of