The concept of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) remains quite complicated because of the misconceptions that come from various quarters. However, the meaning of this aspect is that scientists have devised methods of altering genes to come up with desirable characteristics. For example, they saved the papaya plant from extinction by making the genes more resistant to factors such as pests. You may be wondering whether this process is safe and how it works. Sit back and relax because a GM organism is not the perceived chemically laced product that you have been made to believe.
When you enroll in college, you will find vast information concerning science on GMO foods. You will get many samples of articles done by past researchers about this subject. As you proceed with studies, your instructor will occasionally ask you to write an essay on GMOs, giving an example of foods that can be modified. Alternatively, you can look for online papers that are available for free to help you write your essay on the topic.
Reasons Why Students Should Not Be Afraid Of GMOs
GMOs are Tested for Allergen Potential and Safety
Before GM foods are released into the market, experts must rigorously test them to ascertain that they are safe for human consumption. You should even be more confident in GMOs because they are scrutinized more than crops that are bred conventionally. Before any GMO is offered to the public, tests can take more than 10 years, such an extended period, and you wonder why are people afraid of GMOs?
Foods Made through Biotechnology are More Nutritious
Biotechnology is the latest agricultural mechanism that is used to unleash maximum food benefits to people and livestock. In this context, there are two examples that exhibit the importance of crop engineering. First, GM tomatoes have very high levels of anthocyanins, a nutrient that protects humans against a variety of diseases.
Secondly, the Golden Rice Project seeks to improve rice with vitamin A to prevent deaths and childhood blindness, especially in developing nations. Unfortunately, such noble projects may not reach the intended markets because of the widespread notion that GMO samples pose health risks.
Reduction of Pesticides
GMO crops are developed to resist pests hence allowing farmers to use less toxic pesticides on the soil. When crops are engineered, you can exercise the targeted use of pesticides. Such plants can also compete against encroaching weeds, and farmers may not need to use pesticides at all. GMO adoption adds up as a cost-effective measure since farmers do not have to buy pest and weed control products.
GMOs are Best for Changing Climatic Conditions
Each day, the population growth rate keeps increasing, yet climatic conditions are also changing rapidly. These aspects have piled pressure on the agricultural sector to feed the hungry populations. Unfortunately, some productive areas are facing drought and massive pest invasion, rendering them unproductive. The introduction of GMO technology will create crops that can withstand the changing conditions, so that food production is sustained across the ages.
Are There Some Concerns About GMOs?
While there are good reasons for believing in GMOs, some researchers indicate that the products have some side effects. Until today, there are many speculations about the dangers of GMOs, although they have not yet been confirmed. It is quite challenging for the public, especially when there is no specific answer on what to believe and what to resist. In this case, you can check some of the negative sides below and compare them with the positive ones above.
Genetic Contamination
GMOs are created by interfering with the normal or original genes. This affects the sexual compatibility of the plants’ relatives. Continued modifications will wipe out the original types, which may be possessing desirable and natural characteristics. Genetic modification also affects the ecological relationship of the organism in question.
Competition with Natural Species
Usually, GMOs have superior characteristics than natural species. When they are released into the environment, they tend to overwhelm the ecological provisions hence becoming a threat to the environment. Sustained biotechnology will negatively influence the economic lifestyle of people who depend on the natural species for survival.
GMOs remain a hot topic of discussion since it is a subject of constant research. Due to the perceived dangers of such foods, many people do not support them. You may also be compelled to lose confidence in the foods, but scientists claim that they are safe. Take into consideration the fact that technology is rapidly growing, and it is cutting across several disciplines.
Biotechnology in agriculture comes with a lot of research to ascertain the safety of these foods. You should be confident that they are healthy since they are tested rigorously before reaching the market. For the few negative opinions, you can give them the benefit of the doubt because the whole concept has not been conclusively determined. All in all, every good thing must have some shortcomings.
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