Genetically Modified Foods Essay

inheritedally modify foods beat recently been in the new headlines for both their positive attributes and the negatives of genetic modification, this bear witness give look at the set up genetically change foods induct on the economy, surround and you. Genetically limited (GM) foods refer to array plants which feature been fashiond for human or animal consumption, these foods view had their genetic material modified in a way that would not occur naturally deep down the food. Desired features such as increased resistance to herbicides or modify nutritional content are some ways food tush and have been genetically modified.Traditionally, modifying plant to have a desired trait has been undertaken through breeding, conventional plant breeding methods are time overpowering and are often inaccurate. (Better Health Channel, 2013) Genetic modification force out create dresss with the specific traits rapidly and accuracy. For example, the gene responsible for drought t olerance can be inserted into a different plant species, the GM plant will father drought tolerance as well as the soldiers plant previously was.Experts say 60% to 70% of processed foods on Australian shelves have genetically modified ingredients. The most common genetically modified foods are soybeans, maize, cotton, and rapeseed oil. That means m any(prenominal) foods made in Australia containing lemon or high-fructose corn syrup, such as breakfast cereals, and snack foods, these ingredients start frequently in animal feed as well. Todays techniques of genetic modification provide innovative and infinite of improving specific traits in different garbs.For example, physical means of removing weeds is time and personify consuming for farmers, they will often spray their crops with a multifariousness of herbicides to repose the weeds, this process takes great care to attend the crop isnt bear upon by the herbicide, GM plants modified to be resistant to a variety of herbicid es could prevent damage to the environment by reducing the aggregate of herbicides dominated. Monsanto has created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be not affected by their herbicide mathematical product Roundup.A farmer grows these soybeans which then only require one application of weed-killer instead of multiple applications, reducing outturn represent and limiting the dangers of agricultural waste run-off. (Kartha, 2013) Third world counties where malnutrition is study issue, could hit greatly from GM crops. Impoverished people in Africa and Asia rely on a single staple crop such as rice for the majority of their diet. sift, however is not an adequate staple with the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients to fully nourish a human.If rice where to be genetically modified with additional vitamins and minerals, malnutrition wouldnt be an issue for third world countries. (Csa. com, 2013) As this issue grew it became a invade for Professor Ingo Potrykus and Pet er Beyerin who created The roaring Rice project, Potrykus and Beyerin in a collaborative effort were able to show that outturn of ? -carotene could be turned on in rice grains using Genetic revision, Potrykus enabled golden rice to be distributed free to subsistence farmers.Free licenses for developing countries were give quickly imputable to the positive unrestrictedity that golden rice received. Golden rice was said to be the first Genetically Modified crop that was unarguably beneficial. (Mayer, 2013) Environmental activists, professional associations and other officials have all embossed concerns about Genetically Modified foods, and criticized laboratories for pursuing profit without concern for capability hazards to humans and the environment.Genetically Modified foods have a long numerate of benefits, but along with the positive comes the negative, one concern for Genetically Modified foods is increased toxicity, most of the flora that is consumed by humans affirm l ittle level toxins, low enough that they dont piddle any adverse health effects. The concern is that inserting an exotic gene into a crop plant may wee its toxicity levels to rise significantly due to the new gene casing the host plant to stress and produce toxins as a defense or altering the plants toxin producing cells completely do it to produce toxins at a rate dangerous to human health.Although these effects have not been observed in Genetically Modified crop plants, they have been observed through conventional breeding methods, causing scientist to become concerned with the safety of Genetically Modified plants. (Enhs. umn. edu, 2013) Another health concern for Genetically Modified foods is an increase is food allergies. Food Allergy affects about 6% of children and 3% of adults in Australia and lately has become a major public health issue (Bakshi, 2003). Allergic reactions occur when a ordinarily harmless proteins enter the body and causes an immune response (Bernstein et al., 2003).If the protein in a Genetically Modified food originates from a source that is known to cause allergic reactions in humans or a source that has never been consumed by humans as food, the protein could evoke the immune response in humans increases. No allergic reactions to Genetically Modified foods by the public have been confirmed, evidence suggesting that some Genetically Modified food products could cause an allergic reaction has motivated a number of biotechnology companies to foreswear their development (Bakshi, 2003).Another serious concern for Genetically Modified foods is the production of topnotch bugs, scientists are finding that Genetically Modified crops are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruss and that they are highly resilient to antibiotics and able to overrun the good bacteria in a healthy humans digestive system causing severe and permanent damage after they have been consumed through Genetically Modified foods, in that respect is documented p roof that the digestive system of lab controlled mice fed these super bugs become enlarged and caused the mice to die after its digestive encompass was over run by the bacteria in turn causing its immune system to weaken.Government authorities across the world have strict regulations in place on genetically modified foods. In the U. S, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and dose Administration supervise projects that involve Genetically Modified crops. Although the U. S organization doesnt require farmers and retailers to label Genetically Modified foods, each product must go through a strict regulation sort in order to be sold to the public. (Curiosity, 2013) Genetically Modified foods are new to the Australian food supply, a cautious and in judgment approach is taken when assessing the safety of Genetically Modified foods for consumption by humans.FSANZ (Food Standard Australia and New Zealand) carry out safety checks on a CBC (case by case) bas is, this means each new Genetic Modification is assessed individually for any potential impact on the foods safety, We compare the Genetically Modified food with a similar, commonly eaten conventional food from a molecular, toxicological, nutritional and compositional point of view. The aim is to find out if in that location are any differences between the GM food and its conventional counterpart, which we already know to be safe to eat. -FSANZ official (Foodstandards. gov. au, 2013)Although there are many another(prenominal) health issues concerning Genetically Modified foods, rigorous and in-depth research has been done to ensure Genetically Modified foods that are available to the public are solely safe and healthy to be consumed, as more and more foods are becoming Genetically Modified more safe and sustainable procedures are being put in place to ensure that the public and the environment benefit from Genetically Modified Foods.