Pro GMOs

English 12
3/9/15
by Austin Jones
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are organisms whose genomes have been altered by
the techniques of genetic engineering so that their DNA contains one or more genes not normally
found. In a recent article about GMOs, Bill Nye has elaborated on his view on the subject. He
put out a recent video talking about the wrongdoings of companies using GMOs. From his
ideas, Nye says that I have revised my outlook and Im very excited about telling world.
(Environmental Working Group). Bill Nye has researched the increased cultivation of genetically
engineered corn and declines in monarch populations. From his research, he found out as the
butterflies start out as caterpillars they feed on milkweed leaves which killed of by a herbicide
that is used by farmers. This results in a decreased monarch population. University of Minnesota
professor Karen Oberhauser, made a statement with saying Tragically, much of their breeding
habitat in this region has been lost to changing agricultural practices, primarily the exploding
adoption of genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant crops in the late 20 and early 21 centuries,
th

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(Environmental Working Group).

Nevertheless, with these speculations about GMOs, there are many reasons why GMOs are
okay to use and should stay on the market. Bio engineered foods or GMOs have been consumed
for close to 20 years, and during that time, no over the top consequences on human health have
been reported; however, a small sign of adverse events exists, due mainly to horizontal gene
transfer, allergenicity, and toxicity according to The Facts About GMOs. Also from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, Genetic engineering refers to certain methods that scientists use

to introduce new traits or characteristics to an organism. For example, plants may be genetically
engineered to produce characteristics that enhance the growth or nutritional value of food crops.
Furthermore, GMOs such as crops should be perceived in light of what has gone on before.
People have been manipulating the genetics of crops for around 10,000 years. The worlds most
major crop, wheat, is a hybrid of different species. It presumably arose from a rare natural
occurence but has been maintained artificially. According to AgBioWorld, critics claim that
GMOs may increase use of chemical pesticides and increase the profits of agribusiness.
With all this being said, there are no inherent differences between foods produced from GMOs
and those that arent. All living things contain DNA and consist of the same building blocks. Its
just that the DNA moves from one organism to the other and scientists are not introducing it as a
foreign trait.

Reference Page

"American Radio Works Presents : Engineering Crops in a Needy World : Feature Story."

American Radio Works Presents : Engineering Crops in a Needy World : Feature Story.
The

Global Politics of Food, 12 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.

Editors, The. "Labels for GMO Foods Are a Bad Idea." Scientific American Global RSS.

Scientific American, 04 Feb. 2014. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.

"U.S. Food and Drug Administration." FDA's Role in Regulating Safety of GE Foods. U.S.
Food

and Drug Administartion, 24 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

Foley, Libby. "GMO Labels Don't Scare Away Shoppers." Environmental Working Group.

Genetically Modified Organisms, 08 May 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.