All About GMOs
- Sathvika Gandavarapu
- Jan 15, 2021
- 3 min read
By Sathvika Gandavarapu
A GMO is a genetically modified organism. They are crops that are created by genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is one method of plant breeding where you can get specific traits that you want. Another name for Genetic Engineering is biotechnology. In the world, here is where GMOs are banned and allowed:
The picture above was published in 2016. There are two types of GM crops (Herbicide Tolerant and Self-generating insecticide) in agriculture. The one that is called Herbicide Tolerant is meant to live through big amounts of toxic weed killers. Some of the toxic weed killers used are related to some health disorders. When farmers use such high amounts on crops, some of the toxic weed killers could be in our food. The one that is called Self-generating insecticide make their own insecticides and delivers it to each cell. Some toxins can destroy human cells and do other things that are not good for our health.
Foods linked to GMOs are potatoes, squash, papaya, cotton, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa, soybeans, and sweet/field corn. Some scientists state that GMOs are safe to eat. They are stating that they have the same nutritional value and composition as non-genetically modified foods. They also state that these foods will not lead to asthma, cancer, or health-risking diseases. However, other scientists are saying that GMOs are dangerous. They state that GMOs will cause diseases for the immune system and will cause organ damage. However, as GMOs are a new subject, much more research is needed to accurately conclude these consequences. GMOs can also contaminate and cross-pollinate. Seeds can travel as well. They can also harm the environment by use of herbicides. There are many benefits of GMOs. With GM crops, farmers use less water to plant the crops ultimately saving water. GM crops also keep pests away and keep diseases of the plants away. Farmers can also grow food without expanding their land. This is important when population growth is happening around the world. However, there are also risks to GMOs. Farmers will have to use more pesticides on the plants which will cause more chemicals to go to the ground. Allergies can also be created.
When you mix nutrients that weren't originally in a food, you might get an allergic reaction to a food you weren't allergic to before. The food you were allergic to could have its genes combined with a food you aren't allergic to. This is problematic and may cause severe allergies. All states in the U.S. are required to put labels on any product that has GMO foods or put an electronic code readable by smartphone. If any food contains GMOs, the food is required to be labeled. There are many pros and cons to GMOs.
It is true that they conserve resources, keep bugs away and possibly be a health benefit. Although, GMOs can be bad as well. In trying to conserve resources, GMOs can also hurt the planet. In trying to give more nutritional value, you could mess up some genes and cause a health risk to all people eating GMOs. Individual studies have stated that some GMO foods can cause some disorders and possibly allergies. More research is needed to fully know the risks and benefits. Allergies can come to people by eating foods that they are not normally allergic to. We do not yet fully know the complete effects of GMO foods because studies should last over a person’s lifetime. Food can affect a person’s body at a later age. GMOs are somewhat good and beneficial. Having the choice to change some genes can greatly change the way farmers are farming. GMOs can also have risks that people are not aware of yet. My final conclusion is that further studies are needed to officially declare if GMOs are healthy to consume or not.
Citations
Comments