Genetically Modified Foods and Their Effects - Coursework Example

Genetically Modified Foods and Their Effects Genetically modified organisms also known as GMOS is a large group of animals, plants and bacteria that are engineered for a wide diversity of usage. This may range from agricultural production to the field of scientific research. US scientists invented a method called recombinant DNA technology in 1972 which allowed scientists to transfer genetic information from one being to another by altering the DNA of the virus. This has led to the production of new plants, animals, and vaccines. However, critics argue that the side effects of GM foods have not been studied thoroughly enough. GMOs are unhealthy to human’s health because they are composed of toxic substances. This is so because when they are consumed, they leave behind substances that have long term effects on human health. For instance, genes added into GM soy can shift into the deoxyribonucleic acid of bacteria existing in us. This is proved when a GM com was detected in the blood of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Therefore, doctors are then urged doctors to give prescription of a non-Genetically Modified diets for all that are affected (Smith and Jeffrey, 2007. Numerous health problems have also increased after GMOs were brought in. The percentage of persons with more chronic illnesses jumped from 8% to 14% in just ten years. There has been a rise in food allergies, disorders like autism, reproductive disorders, and digestive problems. Though there is no enough research to affirm that Genetically Modified foods are a adding element, doctors groups have alerted people not to wait but to start protecting ourselves and more so our children who are at a much risk. GMOS also create allergy that affects boys and adults. This causes allergic reactions in humans that usually occur when a nontoxic protein gets into the body and causes an immune response. Whenever the new protein in a Genetically Modified food gets from a host that is known to bring allergies in humans or one that has never been taken in as human food, the certain that the protein could evoke an immune response in human being increases. Though no allergic reactions to Genetically Modified food by users have been affirmed, in vitro prove indicating that some GM results could bring an allergic reaction has prompted biotechnology parties to cease their exploitation. Getting a GM food into the market is a hectic and costly process. This means most companies run at a loss is they do not carefully take this into account. This may result in other negative effects such as unemployment to many who heavily depend on these companies. However, more novel plant genetic engineering applications and GM plants have been registers and evident infringement is a tremendous fear of agribusiness. This raises worries to consumers that registering these unique plant collections will increase the cost of seeds so high that small-scale farmers and third world countries will not be in a position to purchase these seeds for hence increasing the gap amongst the rich and the poor (Smith and Jeffrey, 2007. GMOs also Increased Toxicity in most plants and animals. This is so because they produce components that are harmful to humankind. Majority of the plant that humans eat make toxins at levels low enough. This is not easily detected in people as they are inauspicious health effects. There is fear that inserting an alien gene into a plant could cause it to produce toxins at higher levels that could be harmful to humans. This can happen be done by the process of introducing a gene into the plant. In case genes in the plant become destroyed throughout the introduction process, it could induce the plant to change its production of toxicants. Instead, the novel gene could hinder the metabolic pathway creating stress plant to produce plethoric toxins in response (Smith and Jeffrey, 2007. While these consequences have not been seen in Genetically Modified plants, they have been observed through conventional engendering methods making a safety fear for GM plants. For instance, potatoes conventionally bred for enhanced disease immunity have to produce higher degrees of glycoalkaloids. GMOS has a lot of drawbacks such as decreased nutritional value. Any GM plant can lower nutritional levels than its conventional counterpart by producing nutrients unobtainable indigestible to human beings. For instance, phytate is a substance common in seeds and grains. This compound binds with minerals to makes them inaccessible to persons. An introduced gene could cause a plant to develop higher levels of phytate diminishing the mineral nutritionally value of the plant. Another good example comes from a field of study showing that a strain of genetically modified soybean produced lower levels of phytoestrogen compounds, believed to protect against heart disease and cancer, than traditional soybeans (Carter, Colin and Giancarlo, 2011). GMOs also bring about the Antibiotic resistance to some drugs. In the past, health professionals have become alerted to the increasing number of bacterial strains that are showing immunity to antibiotics. These bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics by creating antibiotic resistance genes through natural mutation. Biotechnologists use antibiotic resistance genes as selectable markers when inserting new genes into plants. In the early stages of the process, scientists do not know if the target plant will incorporate the new gene into its genome. By attaching the desired gene to an antibiotic resistance gene, the new GM plant can be tested by growing it in a solution containing the corresponding antibiotic. If the plant survives scientists know that it has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene along with the desired gene (Freedman and Jeri, 2009). Genetic engineering creates dangerous side effects. Mixing the genes from totally unrelated species, genetic engineering unleashes a host of unpredictable side effects. Moreover, irrespective of the type of genes that are inserted, the very process of creating a GM plant can result in massive collateral damage that produces new toxins, allergens, carcinogens, and nutritional deficiencies. Most of the environmental and health risks of GMOs are dismissed by governments' superficial regularizations and safety appraisals. The cause of this catastrophe is mostly political. The United States Food and Drug Administration, for instance, doesn't demand a single security analysis, does not authorize labeling of GMOs. It allows organizations to put their Genetically Modified foods onto the market without even appraising the agency. Their explanation was the demand that they had no selective knowledge showing that Genetically Modified foods were considerably different. However, secret organization has made it public that the deluging consensus amongst the FDA's individuals was that Genetically Modified foods can cause unpredictable side effects. GMOs are not environmental friendly. GM crops and their linked herbicides are even harmful to insects, birds, marine ecosystems amphibians and soil organisms. This will reduce bio-diversity, unsustainability and pollute water resources. For example, GM crops are removing habitat for monarch butterflies, whose populations are down 49% in the United States. The roundup herbicide causes birth defects in amphibians, endocrine disruptions, embryonic deaths and organ damage in animals. This usually occurs at very low doses (Forman and Lillian, 2010). In a nutshell, GM food has a lot of critics. However, it has helped in one or another way, for instance, increasing food supply to curb the hunger pandemic. The effects outweigh its benefits such that it affects human beings tremendously. GMOS also create allergy to human’s beings and in some instances, create antibiotic resistance to some drugs. GMOs are also not environmental friendly. The GM crops and their linked herbicides are even harmful to living organisms. This is so because it reduces biodiversity, unsustainability and pollutes water resources. There has also been an increase in health problems since GMOs was brought in. A greater percentage of persons with more chronic illnesses jumped from 8% to 14% within a short span of time. There has been a rise in food allergies, disorders like autism, reproductive disorders, and digestive problems. Genetically modified foods should therefore not be consumed due to the mentioned reasons. Works cited Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press, 2004. Internet resource. Smith, Jeffrey M. Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. Fairfield, Iowa: Yes! Books, 2007. Print. Carter, Colin A, Giancarlo Moschini, and Ian M. Sheldon. Genetically Modified Food and Global Welfare. Bingley, UK: Emerald, 2011. Print. Freedman, Jeri. Genetically Modified Food: How Biotechnology Is Changing What We Eat. New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Group, 2009. Print. Forman, Lillian E. Genetically Modified Foods. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub, 2010. Internet resource. Teitel, Martin, and Kimberly A. Wilson. Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature of Nature. Rochester Vt: Park Street Press, 2001. Print. Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press, 2004. Internet resource. Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press, 2004. Internet resource. Read More