Definition of Genetically Modified Crops (GMOs)
Before I go more in depth about the pros and cons of genetically modified crops, let me first give a definition of what genetically modified crops are.
Genetically modified crops (often abbreviated as GMOs) are simply crops, whose genetical material has been modified. There are two ways to do this:
Traditional selection and breeding (much like breeding animals),Modern, scientific modification of the crops.
In this article, my strengths and weaknesses of genetically modified crops list will deal with the second, the scientific effects and applications.
Process of Genetically Modifying Crops
As the scope of this article is not to describe the detailed process of how GMOs are modified, I will just very briefly describe it.
First and foremost the genetic material of the two or more crops whose genetic property or properties will be mixed has to be fully mapped. The phrase “genetic mapping” means to have a full and exhaustive recorded knowledge of the genes, and the sequence of genes of the genetically mapped organism(s).
When each of the genes (and their functions) of the particular crops have been identified, they are then separated in a science lab. These genes are then cloned and injected into the sequence of genes embryonic form (sometimes to stem cells) of the recipient crop. Finally the seed of the modified crop is planted and grown in greenhouses through traditional methods.
Advantages of GMOsMore
informed customers, because they need to make more informed decisions in regard
to nutrition, agriculture and science.
Disadvantages of GMOsHarm to other organisms. For example genes
and their effect included in a crop may turn out to be poisonous to
insects (monarch butterfly poisoned by GMO corns).
Taste of GMOs are not as good or “natural”.
Less pesticide is needed
to be used due to insect pest resistant plants.
Cross-pollination with
traditional, organic plants. Cross pollination can occur at quite large
distances. New genes may also be included in the offspring of the traditional,
organic crops miles away. This makes it difficult to distinguish which crop
field is organic, and which is not, posing a problem to the proper labeling of
non-GMO food products.
More
economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil, and water
(especially freshwater supplies). Their production hazards to the environment
also decreases.
Decrease in costs of
growing and farming, due to the reduced use of pesticides.
Spread of new, more
resistant “super weeds
Higher
crop yields.
Spread of new, more
resistant “super pests”.
Farmers
have more income, which they could spend on such things as, for example, the
education of their children.
Major trading countries that obtain most
of the benefit from the production and trade of genetically modified
crops. This might cause more geopolitical conflicts.
Less
deforestation needed to feed the worlds growing population (UN projections say
that the world population will reach 8.15 billion compared to 6.18 billion in
year 2000). This decreases carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere, which in turn slows global warming.
New trade, tariff and quota issues may
arise between countries, regions.
Decrease
in food prices due to lower costs and higher yield. As people in poor countries
spend over half of their income on food alone, lower food prices mean an automatic
reduction of poverty.
Critics say GMOs may cause health
problems.
Less
starvation in the world due to decreased food prices.
More nutritious. This has
been proven and tested many times.
As the USA is the biggest producer of
GMO crops, their exports may rouse more anti-American feeling, due to “Americanization”
worldwide.Possible damages to the environment.
Rigorous testing of ALL GMO
crops and products. This makes GMOs much safer than organic (the
traditional) crops.
Possible greed of GMO manufacturing firms.Unharmonized test-, and safety standards
around the world.
ALL
GMOs that are sold in the market, due to the strict tests. If the slightest
chance of health hazard, a GMO is NOT allowed to enter the markets.
GMOs are made because it is possible to
make them, not because consumers feel their need.
Strict
and very complex standards that GMOs have to fully meet.
More
thoroughly understood crops due to the rigorous testing.
Possible creation of new kinds of weapons;
genetic food and beverage weapons.
Scientific development
of agriculture, health and related sciences due to the better understanding of
the products. For example, the development of new medicines.
Additional costs of labeling whether
products are GMOs or not. This might increase costs of foods.
Creation
of “super foods” due to better knowledge. Super foods are types of food that
are cheap to produce, grow fast in large quantities, highly nutritious.
Widening corporate size gaps between food
producing giants and smaller ones. This might cause a consolidation in the
market: fewer competitors increase the risk of oligopolies, which might
increase food prices. Larger companies might have more political
power. They might be able to influence safety and health standards
(example: less stringent regulations, standards and requirements).
New
products. For examples, scientist identified the gene responsible for caffeine
in coffee beans; by excluding this gene, decaffeinated coffee beans can be
grown naturally.
Reduction of sicknesses
and illnesses, as GMO crops are more nutritious. Vitamins and minerals can be
provided to children and to people, where they were inaccessible before (i.e.:
the world ’s poorest and/or most secluded areas).
Activists ’ increased ability to boycott and
influence food market, food retailing, and food prices. Unforeseen risks and dangers due to the
complexity of nature.
Allergies may become
more intense, and also, new allergy types may develop.
Developments
of new kinds of crops that can be grown at extreme climates, for example, dry
or freezing environments (like deserts). For example, scientist developed a
type of tomato that grows in salty soil.
Reduction
of world starvation due to increased production.
Discrepancies in information flow. GMO
producers stress the benefits, but are reluctant to talk about risks and
dangers.
As
more crops (plants) can be grown and at more places, this decreases global
warming through the increase of oxygen in the environment, decreasing the
proportion of carbon dioxide. Two British economists note in a study that GM
crops have also made significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
by over 10 million tonnes. This is equivalent to removing five million cars
from the road every year. In effect this means that people would have to choose
between growing GMOs and giving up their vehicles.
Many
Nobel Prize winners and prominent scientists support genetically modified crop
research and production.
Enhancement
of the taste of food.
Enhancement
of the quality of food.
Beside
humans, livestock and animals are also beneficiaries to the higher nutritious
value of GMO crops. They have an increased resistance, productivity, and
hardiness.
Enhancement
of the smell of food.
Decrease
of maturation time of the plants, so they can be harvested sooner and more often during the
year.
With
time, possible customization of food to meet personal preferences.
Enhancement
of the size of food.
Higher
resistance to diseases.
Less
processing needed in factories.
Less
factory additives needed.
GMO
crops last longer. This decreases the amount of wasted crops and foods.
Reduced
energy needs to produce GMO crops.
Less
machinery requirements.
Due to reduced costs of production, prices can be further reduced.
Production
of friendly bioherbicides and bioinsecticides through genetic engineering.
Less
labor requirements.
Experts
estimate more than 1 trillion meals containing ingredients from biotech crops
have been consumed over the last decade with no reliable documentation of any
food safety issues for people or animals.
Genetically
modified foods and crops are recognized by experts and regulatory authorities
worldwide as being as safe as crops and foods.
People
who are opposed to GMOs are not the farmers themselves, but people who can
afford to buy food.
The
needs of some consumers for GMO-free products lead to non-GMO labeling issues.
, Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops (GMOS) www.ozeldersin.com bitirme tezi,ödev,proje dönem ödevi