Persuasive Essay Against Gm Foods

825 Words4 Pages

One of the most controversial topics in the world of food and health is genetically modified foods. The public is very unsure about the use of GMOs. According to a poll by ABC News, 52% of people being against the use of GMOs and 93% think the government should have to label whether or not all GMOs should be labeled. Some people believe that GMOs can damage one's health, while others believe they are the future of agriculture. Despite public opinion, GMOs can actually be very beneficial. GMOs should be used more often because they improve society by having larger yields, help reduce pollution, and containing more nutrients. When a crop is genetically modified its genes are taken and formed to create a stronger crop. Humans have been selectively …show more content…

They believe that if GMOs cross-pollinate with natural crops it can create superweeds that damage the environment. Many farmers have already found ways to prevent this such as pollinating by hand. Not only can the environmental damage be prevented, but GMOs could actually be very helpful to the environment. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food grown for human consumption is lost or wasted. Most food loss happens when it becomes damaged or begins to rot. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that food waste accounts for 20% of the mass in landfills. The food that is rotting in these landfills emits large amounts of methane gas which damages the atmosphere. When food goes to waste it is also a waste of the water, soil, and energy used to grow the food. Using GMOs, farmers can grow foods that last much longer and don't have cosmetic issues such as black spots. Not only would GMO use reduce pollution from food waste, it would also reduce the number of pesticides that runoff into lakes and rivers. The overall environmental that could be prevented with GMO use is much greater than the damage it could