GMOs: What’s the Big Deal?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals and microorganisms whose genetic characteristics have been altered in a way that cannot occur in nature or traditional crossbreeding. They are experimental combinations of genes that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals to enhance certain traits such as insect, disease and water resistance. GMOs are commonly found in crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton and canola and are becoming more and more prominent in today’s marketplace.  Food or feed that contains, consists of, or are produced from GMOs are called genetically modified (GM) food or feed. A lot of the food that we eat today contains genetically modified ingredients—75% of items in American grocery stores—and most of the time we don’t even know it. GMOs have only been on the market since 1995, but they’ve recently sparked a national debate over the potential impact they could have on the environment, the economy and our health.  

Much controversy has also arisen over the research, people and motives behind GM food. Supporters of this technology believe that as the world population increases, GMOs will ensure and sustain food security everywhere. Although the science behind GMOs is improving and GM foods could provide alternatives to help increase food production, there is growing concern among citizens, farmers and scientists who are questioning the way the research is being done. The research is currently being handled by a few large corporations that are said to be “profit-hungry” and who have also successfully lobbied so that products are not required by law to state whether or not they contain GMOs; another big controversy because it makes the task of avoiding genetically modified food quite difficult. The other main criticisms of GMOs are environmental hazards, human health risks—the known and unknown—and economic concerns; specifically for poorer nations and developing countries.

Works Cited-

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"GMOs Spotlight | Learn Science at Scitable." Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2013. <http://www.nature.com/scitable/spotlight/gmos-6978241>.

"GMOs: Researchers debate the safety of genetically modified foods | Fox News." Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos. N.p., 13 July 2013. Web. 6 Sept. 2013. <http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/07/14/gmos-researchers-debate-healthy-safety-genetically-modified-foods/>.

Shah, Anup. "Genetically Engineered Food — Global Issues." Global Issues : social, political, economic and environmental issues that affect us all — Global Issues. N.p., 26 Sept. 2002. Web. 6 Sept. 2013. <http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food>.

Whitman, Deborah. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?." CSA. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Sept. 2013. <www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>.