Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Products - Essay Example

“GMOs” Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically modified organisms are animals and plants that have been genetically engineered with DNA from viruses, bacteria or other animals and plants. The genetic material is modified using genetic engineering technique; GMOs are sources of genetically modified foods that are used in scientific research to produce goods other than foods. Genetic alteration involves the insertion, mutation and deletion of genes. The genes that are inserted come from different species in a form of horizontal gene-transfer, which occurs when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason. Therefore, in order to achieve GMOs artificially the following is required attaching the gene to a virus or physically implanting the additional DNA into the nucleus of the proposed host with a very small syringe. Electroporation can also be used to introduce the DNA of one organism into the cell of another by use of an electric pulse, as well as, a gene gun can also be used to fire small particles. It was established that domesticating of animals and plants began around 12,000BC through the process of selective breeding where organisms with desired traits were used to breed the next generation. In 1935, the DNA was discovered where a Russian Scientist Andrei Nikolayevitch Belozersky isolated it. Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer were the first to introduce genetic engineering in 1973; they introduced the direct manipulation of genes. In 1975, the Asimolar conference was held where a group a scientists, lawyers and doctor created guidelines for the safe use genetically engineered DNA. Since 1976 to date scientist have managed to commercialize the technology of where most companies have produced and sold genetically modified food and medicine. The first GMO patent was issued in 1980 where in a Supreme Court case the judge in a ruling by 5-to-4 allowing for the first patent on a living organism. In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approved Humulin, insulin, which was produced genetically through E.coli bacteria. The development of GMOs as kept on growing over the years in although this year the Monsanto’s patent is bound to expire. Genetically modified foods have been introduced in the market where they were first introduced in the United States in 1995. By the year 1999, 50% of the soybeans, cotton, and corn that was planted in the United States were genetically modified. In 2010, Genetically Modified crops covered more than 9.8 million square kilometers of land in 29 countries worldwide. It has been established that engineered crops can dramatically increase per area crop yields where in some cases it reduced the use of chemical pesticides. For example, the use of wide-spectrum insecticides decreased in many areas growing plants such as corn, cotton, and potatoes as they were donated with a gene from bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that produces a natural insecticide known as BT toxin. Genetically Modified Organisms has been said to be the mainstays of biomedical research since 1980s in relation to medicine and research. For example, GM animal models of human genetic diseases have enabled researchers to test novel therapies, as well as, discover the roles of candidate modernizers and risk factors of disease result. Complex pharmaceuticals have also been revolutionized through GM microbes in animals and plants. The production of complex pharmaceuticals has enabled the creation of cheaper and safer vaccines and therapeutics. The products include hepatitis B vaccine produced by GM baker’s yeast to injectable insulin for patients with diabetes that are produced in GM Escherichia coli bacteria and tissue plasminogen activator for heart attacks or stroke patients. Genetically modified foods have been found to various disadvantages and people have been asked to avoid them. For example, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine stated that doctors should prescribed non-GMO diets or foods to all their patients. This is because genetically modified foods have been held to leave material behind the human body causing long-term problems (Nelson, 89). For example, when gene is inserted in GM soy they transfer into the DNA of bacteria leaving toxic insecticide produced by GM corn. The GM gene was found in pregnant women and their unborn fetuses. Therefore, it has been established that numerous health problems increased after GMOs were introduced where the percentage of people with chronic illness in America have jumped from 7% to 13% in a period of 9 years. Additionally, food allergies have increased and disorders such as reproductive disorders, autism and digestive problems. Genetically Modified foods have also been held to harm the environment in the sense that the GM corps and related herbicides can harm insects, birds, amphibians, and marine ecosystems. This is because they reduce bio-diversity pollute water resources and cannot be sustained. However, the issue of genetically modified organisms been beneficial to the environment has been controversial because they have been held that they help in the management of environment issues. In that, some bacteria has been held to produce biodegradable plastics; consequently, the transfer of this capability to microbes can be grown in the laboratory enabling the wide scale greening of the plastic industry. Additionally, it has been held that genetic modification technologies can help in saving species that are endangered such as the giant panda. Environment activists organization, on the other hand, argue that companies that are producing genetically modified organisms are putting profit over the safety of people; hence, provoking unforeseen health, socioeconomic, and environmental consequences by tampering with corn genes. Other controversies have arisen in regards to the use of GMOs, especially when it comes to producing food. The disputes involves biotechnology companies, consumers, scientists, government regulators and non-governmental organizations. The main issue in the controversy is whether the foods should be labeled, as well as, the role of government regulator and the effect of GM crops on the environment and health (Nelson, 109). Additionally, there have been controversies on the impact of GM crops for farmers and the role the GM plays when it comes to the feeding of the world population. In the United States, the labelling of Genetically Modified foods is not that necessary as compared to other countries in the world. Therefore, there has been no distinction between the non-GMO and GMO foods on the shelves. According to an article published in the Economist in May 2014, it was argued that even though GMOs foods were been condemned they could be used to feed 842 million malnourished people internationally. Therefore, the laws that were being considered by some legislators on labelling GMO foods and Non-GMOs foods to help in differentiating the two could have an unintended consequence of interrupting the benevolent process of spreading GM technologies to help countries that suffer from food securities. Opponents of GMOs have indicated that risks have not been clearly identified and managed; hence, making them to question the objectivity of regulatory authorities. Therefore, although there controversies in relation to the GMOs they have been found to be beneficial in some ways. Work cited Nelson, Gerald C. Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture: Economics and Politics. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press, 2001. Internet resource. Read More