Debate on Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods is the food that is changed by the genetic engineering to fulfill humans’ content. Since genetically modified foods emerged in the 1980s, many scientists have conducted studies on this foods. As people’s understanding increase gradually, different opinions about the advantage and disadvantage of the foods come up.
Because The world population has topped 6 billion people, Ensuring an adequate food supply will be a major challenge. GM foods promise to meet this need in a number of ways.
Pest resistance: Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss and starvation in developing countries. Growing GM foods can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop.
Disease resistance: There are many viruses and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases.
Nutrition: Since rice was funded by the foundation, the Institute hopes to offer the golden rice seed free to any third world country that requests it. Plans were underway to develop golden rice that also has increased iron content.
On the other hand, government officials have raised concerns about GM foods. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories.
Environmental hazards: a study was published showing that pollen from corn caused high mortality rates in butterfly. This topic is the subject of debate, and both sides of the argument are defending their data
Human health risks: There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may cause an alter reaction in susceptible individuals. Labeling of GM foods and food products will acquire new importance,
Economic concerns: Bringing a GM food to market is a costly process. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness.
