Safety And Danger Of GM Food - Essay Example

Safety And Danger Of GM Food Introduction Genetically modified food which is a brainchild of advancements in technology in the food industry has brought about certain controversies. To improve the qualities and traits of organisms, scientists use high tech instruments like the blotting technique and polymerase chain reaction machine/ thermo-cycler to alter the genetic of individual organisms. This is achieved by mutating pant cells by introducing genes from other organisms such that the result is a plant with a different genetic configuration as compared to the original plant. The aim is to make plant better by equipping it with better defense against pests, disease causing pathogens and to make it grow faster. Using findings from studies that have been conducted and an analysis of the genetic make up and the number of chromosomes of various organisms, this paper will establish facts about the concept of genetic mutations. It will examine and establish the facts behind the allegation that genetic engineering techniques are the reason behind the increased number of cancer cases globally. Cancer Cancer is caused by the existence and persistent growth of cells which are unregulated. It occurs where there is an unregulated growth of cells after cell division in a certain area of the body and the cancerous cells are capable of spreading to other parts of the body. The concept that genetically modified foods are carcinogenic is disputed because the predisposing factors to cancer are vast and their scope is not well understood by experts. Arguments for the case are for the opinion that the genetic composition of humans could be altered the same way that of plants is altered by the introduction of foreign genes thus causing the growth of cancerous cells. Results of Studies Done in This Field Even though there are scientists who see it as baseless, some have still gone ahead and conducted a number of experiments to determine the real effects of genetically modified foods have been conducted using rats. In this particular experiment, a group of rats are fed on a lifelong diet of some of the best selling genetically modified corn while the control experiment were fed with normal non genetically modified meals. A report by Poulter, 2012, on the studies conducted showed that the rats that were fed with genetically modified corn developed tumors and some of their organs stopped functioning properly. 65 per cent of them had developed tumors by the twenty forth month. On the other hand, the tumor rate of the rats that had been fed with normal food was at thirty per cent (Poulter, web). The size of the tumors the rats in the control experiment was also noted to be here times smaller than those found in the other rats. Seventy per cent of female rats which were fed on the lifelong diet of modified food died before they became mature while the rate on those which were fed on normal food was at twenty per cent. The deaths were a result of the tumors having grown so large that they impeded breathing. Another notable fact was that tumors in the rats in the experiment developed at seven months which is seven months earlier than the ones in the control experiment. These results caused a much heated debate globally as to the authenticity of the experiment and whether the effect would be the same for humans. This resulted to scientists in different countries conducting a series of parallel experiments which have not been conclusive. Reports have been tabled by different scientists arguing that genetically modified food is not carcinogenic and is safe for consumption by human beings. It has been noted that genetically modified food is generally consumed more in America as compared to countries in Europe. Many people link genetically modified foods with cancer therefore leading to resistance. If the cancer tumours are not detected in the early stages, cancer can progress to be tragic. Genetically modified foods have been proven to contain molecules of life which are vital for the development of organisms. These include carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins. After the molecules have been ingested, they pass through the gut and absorbed into different body organs such as the liver which maintain the levels of various molecules such as glucose. Amino acids and other molecules which are the end products of protein metabolism are used up in growth and repairing of various body organs. It has also been argued by nutritionists who are against genetically modified foods that mutations induced n genetically modified organisms are permanent, therefore, there will be effects on humans as they form systems which try to metabolize these new foods. Moreover, the products are likely to change the normal division of cells within the organisms that consume them leading to formation of malignant tumors which may cause death. Research performed on rats has proven these claims right as they were found to be more prone to the formation of malignant tumors when they were fed with genetically modified corn unlike those fed on the normal corn (Edwards). It is feared that the same results are likely to be found on human beings although scientists working on the project are unable to come to an agreement on the consequences. Genetic engineers are expected to be careful as possible while producing foods at a dilemma on whether to proceed on the project which will face similar resistance once the foods have been introduced in the market. Consumers concern Due to increase in demand of foods that can grow at a faster rate and in regulated conditions, f introduction of genetically modified foods in the market was facilitated. It is possible to identify the specific genes that need to be omitted through using blotting techniques and electrophoresis on such plants. In some instances, the normal meiosis process which involves the formation of the gamete cells that form seeds is inhibited causing non-disjunction. This leads to trisomy and hence plant production is improved significantly. Nevertheless, most of these new plants are infertile and raises questions as to whether consumption by humans might cause sterility. The media also publicized the issue flipping off its dimensions and it was difficult to regain the consumers’ trust on the products. People fear to consume genetically modified foods, not only due to the effects that they have a potential to cause but also the speculation surrounding the whole matter. Conclusion Introducing the genetically modified foods into the market has been a controversial in the past years. They have been linked to causing cancer which has made many consumers shun them. Experiments done to establish the effects that can be caused on humans have been nullified since they used rats in the study (Adams). Currently, the whole issue is being judged on assumptions. It is recommended that facts may be established in the near future to determine whether genetically modified foods should be maintained or eliminated from the market. Works cited Adams, M. (n.d). GMO Corn Linked to Cancer Tumours. Nature News. Web. Available at. Edwards, R. (n.d). Eating GM Food Could Give You Cancer, Says Scientist. Sunday Herald. Web. Available at. Poulter, S. (September, 2012). Cancer Row over GM Food as Study Says it Affected Rats.Web. Available at. Read More