Positive and Negative Impact of Genetically Modified Food Essay

componenttically circumscribed (GM) foods ar foods derived from organisms whose genetic strong (DNA) has been circumscribed in a way that does non supervene naturally, e.g. by the introduction of a gene from a different organism. Currently gettable GM foods stem closely from readys, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animate worlds be likely to be introduced on the market. intimately existing genetically modified crops admit been developed to improve yield, through with(predicate) the introduction of safeguard to coif ailments or of increased tolerance of herbicides. In the future, genetic modification could be aimed at exchangeing the nutrient mental object of food, reducing its allergenic potential, or improving the efficiency of food end product systems. All GM foods should be assessed before being allowed on the market. FAO/WHO codex guidelines exist for stake analysis of GM food.Positive and Negative Impacts Genetically Modif ied forage Has on the WorldThe term genetically modified food, also cognizen as genetically modified organisms, is most commonly used to refer to crop dos created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. The reason these appoints atomic number 18 being modified today is to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides (pesticides used to kill unwanted industrial plants) or alter nutritional content. In order to create these genetically modified foods, scientists moldiness introduce specific changes to their DNA by using extremely on the button genetic engineering techniques. While there are some benefits that genetically modified foods may offer, there are also some risks and veto affects that these foods can cause as well.Genetically modified foods pay been laborsaving in m either aspects of the world. Firstly, they claim the ability to champion meet the outgrowth demands for food supply as the world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 old age or so. Ensuring enough food supply for this booming population is sack to be a major struggle in years to come, and genetically modified foods will help do this in a keep down of ways. Forexample, crop losses from insect pests can be shocking, resulting in crushing financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. By exploitation genetically modified foods such as B.T. corn, farmers can help get rid of the production of chemical pesticides that cause potential health hazards, and there will be high crop yields that many experts argue can help to feed people in these countries. In addition to this, plants can be genetically modified to be resistant to bacterial, fungal or viral infestation. For example, sweet potatoes have been modified to improve viral resistance, and bananas have been modified to resist the Black Sigatoka fungus. Growing genetically modified foods will so lead to less continues Harmful Effects of the AgentGenetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a broad group of plants, animals, and bacteria that are engineered for a wide variety of applications ranging from agricultural production to scientific research. The types of potential hazards represent by GMOs vary according to the type of organism being modified and its intended application. around of the fretfulness surrounding GMOs relates to their potential for negative effects on the environment and human health. Because GMOs that could at a time effect human health are primarily products that can accede the human food supply, this website focuses on genetically modified food. To date, the only types of products that have been approved for human consumption in the U.S. are genetically modified plants (FDA website). All genetically modified foods that have been approved are considered by the government to be as safe as their traditional alikenesss and are generally unregulated (FDA we bsite). How incessantly, there are several types of potential health effects that could result from the insertion of a tonic gene into an organism. wellness effects of primary concern to safety assessors are production of current-sprung(prenominal) allergens, increased toxicity, decreased nutrition, and antibiotic resistance (Bernstein et al., 2003).Food AllergyFood Allergy affects approximately 5% of children and 2% of adults in the U.S. and is a meaning(a) public health threat (Bakshi, 2003). Allergic responses in humans occur when a normally harmless protein enters the body and stimulates an immune response (Bernstein et al., 2003). If the novelprotein in a GM food comes from a source that is know to cause allergies in humans or a source that has neer been consumed as human food, the concern that the protein could elicit an immune response in humans increases. Although no allergic reactions to GM food by consumers have been confirmed, in vitro evidence suggesting that some G M products could cause an allergic reaction has motivated biotechnology companies to discontinue their development (Bakshi, 2003).Increased ToxicityMost plants resurrect substances that are toxic to humans. Most of the plants that humans consume produce toxins at levels low enough that they do not produce any adverse health effects. on that point is concern that inserting an exotic gene into a plant could cause it to produce toxins at higher levels that could be solemn to humans. This could happen through the process of inserting the gene into the plant. If other genes in the plant become damaged during the insertion process it could cause the plant to alter its production of toxins. Alternatively, the new gene could interfere with a metabolic path causing a stressed plant to produce more toxins in response. Although these effects have not been observed in GM plants, they have been observed through conventional breeding methods creating a safety concern for GM plants. For exampl e, potatoes conventionally bred for increased diseased resistance have produced higher levels of glycoalkaloids (GEO-PIE website).Decreased Nutritional ValueA genetically modified plant could theoretically have lower nutritional quality than its traditional counterpart by making nutrients unavailable or indigestible to humans. For example, phytate is a raise common in seeds and grains that binds with minerals and makes them unavailable to humans. An inserted gene could cause a plant to produce higher levels of phytate decreasing the mineral nutritional value of the plant (GEO-PIE). Another example comes from a study showing that a sink in of genetically modified soybean produced lower levels of phytoestrogen compounds, believed to protect against heart disease and cancer, than traditional soybeans (Bakshi, 2003).Antibiotic resistanceIn recent years health professionals have become alarmed by the increasing number of bacterial strains that are showing resistance to antibiotics. Bac teria develop resistance to antibiotics by creating antibiotic resistance genes through natural mutation. Biotechnologists use antibiotic resistance genes as selectable markers when inserting new genes into plants. In the early stages of the process scientists do not know if the target plant will incorporate the new gene into its genome. By attaching the desired gene to an antibiotic resistance gene the new GM plant can be tested by evolution it in a solution containing the corresponding antibiotic. If the plant survives scientists know that it has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene along with the desired gene. There is concern that bacteria living in the guts of humans and animals could piece up an antibiotic resistance gene from a GM plant before the DNA becomes completely digested (GEO-PIE website). It is not clear what sort of risk the possibility of conferring antibiotic resistance to bacteria presents. No one has ever observed bacteria incorporating new DNA from the di gestive system chthonic controlled laboratory conditions. The two types of antibiotic resistance genes used by biotechnologists are ones that already exist in bacteria in nature so the process would not introduce new antibiotic resistance to bacteria. neer the less it is a concern and the FDA is encouraging biotechnologists to phase out the habituate of using antibiotic resistance genes (GEO-PIE website).