Genetic Modification

In society today, there are many controversial debates regarding the safety and ethics of genetically modifying organisms. To genetically modify organisms, the organism must go through a lab process where scientists extract DNA from one organisms and force it into the genes or DNA of another organism, unrelated to the first. This swapping of genes and trading of DNA leads people to be hesitant towards the safeness of the new, genetically modified organism. Some even believe that the process is both morally and ethically wrong. While others have opposing views and strongly believe that genetically modified organisms are beneficial to society and can help end other world problems, such as starvation. Genetically modifying organisms; whether it be good or bad; is still a very prevalent in the world today.

Genetic modification or genetic engineering is the, “laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal” (Institute for Responsible Technology: GMO Education). Though, this is not always the process for genetic modification it is in most cases. There is an abundantly large list of different organisms that are genetically modified, but one the most popular group among debates in society is food. The National Library of Medicine states that genetically altered foods have the potential benefits of tasting better than the original organism, having more nutrients, and being more resistant to diseases and droughts. The National Library of Medicine also says that genetically engineering organisms has some potential risks such as “the genetic alterations can cause harm and that modified organisms could be inbred with natural organisms, leading to the possible extinction of the original organism” (Live Science: GMOs: Facts About Genetically Modified Food). With both the potential risks and benefits in-mind, genetically modified organisms, especially food, is widely impactful on everyday life.

There are many compelling arguments, both for and against the process of genetically engineering organisms. One of the benefits of GMOs are the potential to feed the world. The projections for the world population in 2050 exceeds nine billion people. The United Nations (UN) state that the food production will need to double in the next thirty-five years, somehow, with the decreasing amount of farm-land available. They believe that the solution to this may be the use of biotechnology to produce food, which gives lower costs and more ample amounts of food to fight starvation. Using genetically altered organisms to hep battle starvation across the world has been very successful. Many people are now able to have access and grow foods that they wouldn’t of been able to grow if the plant was not modified. Another positive is the use of less pesticides because genetically altered organisms are stronger and can withstand pests. The reduction of the use of pesticides also reduces the fuel emissions, helping fight the dangers of climate change. Genetically modified organisms could be the solution to many of the problems in the world today.

Although the list could go on and on for all the positives of GMOs, there is just as valid of a list for the negatives of this process. Genetically altering or tampering with organism’s genetic material can have severe environmental risks. The changing of foods can have large impacts on the food chain and the population of organisms. “Scientists say GMO’s have decimated butterfly populations in the United States, or led to birth defects among other animals” (Debating Europe: Arguments for and Against GMOs). Another environmental risk is the accidental creation of herbicide-resistant “superweeds”. Since genetically modified organisms, particularly food, is created to withstand a variety of things, if the new genetically modified organism cross-pollinates it could become a threat to wild plants and other crops. These cons do not stop the widespread use of genetic engineering.

The issue over whether genetically modifying organisms should be made does not stop at safety factors and environmental risks, it also crowds the debates in politics and among businesses. Small business farmers oppose the use of biotechnology because it decreases the revenue for them. The farmers need to obtain the seeds from somewhere and with the use of genetically modified organisms big businesses could prevent the smaller businesses from saving money by growing last year’s’ seeds through “terminator-technologies”. This forces them to keep on buying from the big businesses to obtain the GMO seeds. Genetically modified organisms are a huge debate which reaches every aspect of society.

Genetically engineering foods is a very controversial debate that will take a long time to resolve. The process “where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal” (Institute for Responsible Technology: GMO Education) has an extensive list of reasons why it is beneficial as well as reasons why it is not. There is a possibility that genetically engineering foods could allow the much-needed end of poverty starvation and could also decrease the contribution society make towards global climate change. But there is also a possibility that altering an organism’s genetics could have severe environmental risks and well as drive out small business, leaving big businesses to have all the control over what goes in our food. Science research and debates will continue until society reaches an agreement that pleases the mass. Genetically modifying organisms; whether it be good or bad; is still a very prevalent in the world today.

Genetic Modifications

The pros and cons of genetically altering organisms.

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