Harmful Effects of GMOs

Harmful Effects of GMOs







The Harmful Effects of GMOs
Mohamad Elhajj
[Class]
[Professor]
23 November 2015




According to Philips, altering the genomes plants and animals is nothing new; specific traits have long been selected artificially in order to produce the desire result; i.e. sweet corn or hairless cats (2008). However, these variations have been limited in that only naturally occurring variations have been used (Philips, 2008). In recent years, researchers have crossed the line from the natural to the unnatural; advances in the field of genetic engineering have allowed researchers to have complete control over what genetic changes take place and what the final product will look like, taste like, feel like, etc. Philips indicates that with modern technology, “…we can incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species…optimizing agricultural performance or facilitating the production of valuable pharmaceutical substances.” While there are quite a few areas are subject to genetic engineering, the most common areas include: farm animals, bacteria, and crop plants such as corn, apples, soybeans, etc. Tyson reveals that GM ingredients, which take the form of modified enzymes, are found in many daily eating staples such as breads, cereals, vegetable oils, cheese, sodas, and beers (2001). The overwhelming presence of GMOs and GM ingredients have created quite a controversy in recent years. Essentially, the use of GM ingredients and GMOs have produced an argument which questions the morality and effects of such processes and products. While stances on the issue vary, the purpose of this paper will be to discuss the harmful nature of GMOs and the negative consequences associated with them by discussing the negative effects of GMOs on health, the environmental, and farming.
Definition and History of Debate regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
According to Premanandh, “Genetic modification refers to any change to the heritable...

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