Genetic Modification - Research Paper Example

However, genetic modification is most common in plants than in animals. Genetically modified foods are developed for various reasons. For example, to improve the quality of some foods and to some other foods, it is done to prevent the chances of allergies after consumption. Some of the genetically modified foods include; soybean, tomatoes and corn plants as will be discussed in this paper, among others. Although the technology gives a lot of promises for consumption of these foods, there are however some risks associated with the technology just like any other new technologies (Buzzle.com, 2012).

Soybeans The genetically modified soybeans are fast growing and resistant to pests and herbicides. This leads to increased production hence food security to the ever-growing population as compared to the traditionally grown crop. The fact that this crop is tolerant to herbicides implies that it cannot be affected by the herbicides once sprayed to the weeds. Therefore, the farmers end up using strong herbicides, which are sprayed only once in order to destroy the weeds. This does not require a lot of herbicides because the herbicide once used totally destroys the weeds resulting to reduced environmental pollution.

Genetically modified soybeans are drought resistant and can be grown in places with poor soils. This means that the crop can withstand harsh climatic conditions as well as be grown in places with infertile soils where agricultural production is poor with the normal crops. By growing the genetically modified soybeans in such places utilizes the unproductive lands, earning the residents income. Moreover, this food has high nutrient content with more vitamins and minerals, and tastes much better as compared to the traditionally grown crops.

This, makes them more preferable to most people than the traditionally grown ones (Anslow, 2008 & Buzzle.com, 2012). Despite the advantages associated with genetically modified soybeans, recent research studies has shown that the growing of genetically modified soybeans may lead to the transfer of herbicide resistant genes to non-target species like the weeds through cross-breeding. This will make the weeds become herbicide tolerant as well. Moreover, chances of cross-pollination to the unmodified crops are also high in such a situation.

In many countries where genetically modified soybeans are grown, the genetically modified soybean product is not labeled, as manufactures fear losing customers, which may ultimately interfere with their overall business. This denies the consumers the opportunity of making their own choice on whether to consume these foods or not since the products are not labeled in the market (Buzzle.com, 2012). Apparently, as Anslow (2008) points out, genetically modified soybeans can thrive under any climatic condition giving high production with high nutrients and requires less labor since one does not have to use tillage in order to remove weeds especially in big acreage of land, but can just use a strong herbicide instead, to destroy the weeds.

Despite these, the negative effects should not be overlooked. For instance, in the long run the weeds also turn to be tolerant to herbicides hence becoming ineffective. Moreover, the consumers end up consuming genetically engineered products unknowingly, because the labels are not included and this may lead to long-term health problems, which is not their fault. Therefore,