The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Organisms

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The concept of genetic engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms (or GMO) started to gain momentum in the mid-1990’s. Riddled with controversy from scientists and the public alike, GMO research and progress has continued at a rapid rate through the 2000’s. Genetically Modified Organisms is a term that spans plants and animals, with the first genetically modified animal introduced to the public being “GloFish” and the first public genetically modified plant being a tomato. Since then, scientists have worked on many plants and animals, including producing glow-in-the-dark rabbits and modifying bacterium to produce better pharmaceuticals. The real controversy lies in the Genetically Modified Crops and agriculture produced and sold to the public. The Genetically …show more content…

Advocates claim that GMFs are completely safe and necessary to continue to feed the growing population of the world. There has also been questions about the ethics of GMOs in general and whether or not it is right to “play God.” Currently the only GMFs approved for public consumption are Genetically Modified Crops (or GMCs). GMCs come directly from agriculture in developed nations and research is constantly being performed to introduce new GMCs to the market. No GM animals have been approved for public consumption even though certain animals, like fish, have been genetically modified and seem completely normal and safe. In addition, the meats and fish currently available to the public almost have an exclusive diet of GMFs such as corn and soy for cows. This paper intends to explore the history, science, consequences, and ethics of Genetically Modified Food. Genetically Modified Foods are perfectly safe at this point in history and even though there is an ethical grey area associated with scientifically modifying natural organisms, the benefits far outweigh the ethical