Benefits Of Genetically Modified Organisms - 1199 Words

Introduction Genetically modified organisms come to be through genetic engineering where their genetic material is artificially altered in a laboratory to suit certain specifications. Genetic engineering is a new technology which gives rise to unstable animals, bacteria, and plants which are not naturally occurring and do not come into being through the normal crossbreeding methods as other traditional crops. Virtually every genetically modified crop produced commercially are made in such a way that they can produce their own insecticides and can withstand the application of herbicides directly. Some arguments have been put forth to oppose the biotech industry claims that these genetically modified organisms produce a higher yield than†¦show more content†¦As a result, there is controversy regarding the right of the consumer to be informed about the product that they are purchasing. Even in countries where it is mandatory to label GMOs, the risk of consumer choice violation is posed by c ontamination and cross-pollination which can render traditional foods not entirely so. Genetic engineering has also been associated with health risks (Nelson, 2001). This is because the process can render some foods which were at some point safe to consume hazardous to those consumers with allergies. The process of genetic engineering cannot be entirely predictable, and foreign substances can develop in these genetically modified foods. This is a fact that is known to the FDA as it does some testing of the final product (Ahmed, 2004). However, there can be no guarantees as to the purity of these genetically modified foods. Besides, introducing new genes to animals and plants can result in the already existing genes to react in a certain way that can include changes in the quality of the organism and reduction of the organism’s nutritional value. Other viewpoints have been brought forth to oppose the production of GMOs such as the arguments that these organisms give rise to ecological risks, upsets the natural balance, hence posing a danger to biodiversity, and t hat suggesting that genetic engineering is a tool for the corporate to control agriculture (Ahmed, 2004).