Genetically Modified Foods Persuasive Essay

Food is not the same as it once was. With the advancement of technology, especially in genetic engineering, science has changed the way in which food is grown and made, increasing questions about the methods used and their potential risks. The problem is that the information we have on the consequences toward human health isn’t adequate enough to sway the way of thinking of the populous. Additionally the scientific community has not been able to reach a consensus on the risks and/or safety of this technology, even though it seems to hold uncertain and, potentially dangerous repercussions for human health. “Genetically modified foods" is most commonly used to refer to crops created for human or animal consumption, that have been altered in

According to the Monsanto Company, the DNA from different organisms is basically the same - that is, it is made from the same materials. However, when food is considered, many ethical and moral concerns are raised in regards to the origin of the genes, especially when labeling has not yet been required by law. Farmers have been using crossbreeding to improve crops and animals for thousands of years, but the type of engineering used today is more elaborate than the interbreeding of the past, which occurred between two types of the same or similar species. One important issue seems to be the genetic engineering between two different species, most notably between plants and animals, which some deem as breaking down the natural barriers and playing God. For example, genetic engineers have joined genes from the flounder to tomatoes in an attempt to supply tomatoes a longer shelf life. A merger of this is type is viewed by some as objectionable and unnatural, although it may have economic benefits. This kind of genetic engineering may cause the spread of diseases across species, thereby creating problems that could never exist

One concern about genetically modified crops is that an unintentional toxin may be produced by the crop and go on to have unfavorable effects on the consumer who ingests the food. The European Commission, 2003 conducted studies for chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity and long-term effects, where applicable. Both single and repeated doses were administered at comparative levels and in high multiples of equivalent human consumption to account for circumstantial variance in consumption and varying sensitivity among individuals in the population. There is no way of knowing the overall, long-term effects of genetically engineered foods on human health. This uncertainty appears to be causing the most controversy over genetically modified foods, as there is inadequate evidence and need for further research. Therefore, the current claims for genetic engineering are misleading, and there appears to be much corruption at the top with the biotech corporations, as well as the government, which seem to be more interested in short-term economic gains than in accurately informing and protecting the