The Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops Essay - 1748 Words

For the last several decades, the world has been plagued by widespread starvation and poverty. Economies are failing in numerous countries, and developing nations struggle to feed their inhabitants. As a result of the world’s mounting overpopulation, food has become scarce and resources are rapidly dwindling. However, modern science has provided a solution: agricultural biotechnology. Genetically engineered crops represent the bright future of agriculture. Crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans can have genes inserted or deleted into their cell membranes; this modification facilitates pest and virus resistance, drought tolerance, and even provides nutritional enhancement. Genetically altered crops produce much higher†¦show more content†¦However, these risks are purely speculative: 81 separate studies costing approximately $65 million have been conducted by the European Commission alone and have shown no evidence of any risk linked to GM foods (1). Indeed, the U.S. has concluded that the risk of GM crops is minimal. As a result, in the U.S., genetically altered crops accounted for 93% of planted soybeans and cotton and 86% of corn in 2009. (2). Considering the success and benefits of GM crops in America, developing countries have followed suit. In 2009, India planted 84,000 square kilometers of genetically modified cotton, and Brazil planted 214,000 square kilometers of GM soybeans, a 26% increase from the year before (3). Like the U.S., these countries conducted a risk-benefit analysis and concluded that the economic, health, and food surplus benefits of GM crops offset the unproven risks (4). Thus, agricultural biotechnology is being implemented in farming techniques throughout the world. One of the biggest advantages of agricultural biotechnology lies in its economic efficiency. GM crops are financially beneficial to both the farmer and the consumer. Due to their resistance to pests, viruses, and adverse climates, genetically al tered crops produce much larger yields than organic or conventional crops. For example, studies show that if no insecticide is used, a GM crop known as Bt maize has a 48% higher yield than non-modified maize varietiesShow MoreRelatedBenefits Of Genetically Modified Crops1230 Words   |  5 PagesThe topic of GM crops is perhaps one of the most exiting and continually growing aspects of genetic science. It has an interesting history, many and varied applications, well-researched techniques and its own set of issues ripe for debate; this essay will discuss these aspects. Genetically modified crops have been a large part of the agricultural landscape for thousands of years. Ever since wild crops were domesticated by the first farmers domesticated wild varieties of grains and tubers. SimplyRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Crops1144 Words   |  5 Pagesis genetically modified (GM) crops. These are crops that have a specific combination of genetic material that is acquired through certain biotechnological processes or genetic engineering. Many crops have been subject to these genetic modifications such as: alfalfa, cotton, flax, rice, tobacco, tomatoes, and wheat. Many people are on various sides of the spectrum of being for the alteration of these crops or strongly against it. Personally, I am against the use of genetically modified crops becauseRead MoreThe Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops1191 Words   |  5 PagesAbout 90% of planted areas of soybeans in the United States are genetically modified strains. Genetic engineering is very important to modern society because of the world’s expanding population and with the arising need of food; it provides an adequate source. Genetic engineering may have both advantages and disadvantages, but the future of mankind may be affected greatly if it is allowed to prosper as a modern science. Several main arguments that many people have about genetic engineering are theRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Crops Essay1871 Words   |  8 PagesGenetically modified crops have certain obvious economic and health advantages. The greatest of which is that these foods are the world’s best chance at ending or greatly reducing world hunger and malnutrition through greater yields. Critics, however, be lieve that these crops can cause evolutionary havoc via cross pollination. A potentially more serious criticism does not concern the effects on the developed populations, which can protect itself from the adverse effects, but on low-middle incomeRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Crops2392 Words   |  10 PagesGenetically Modified Crops Genetically modified crops are an incredibly important issue that everyone should be aware of since it is something we are exposed to at a daily basis. Genetically modified crops also known as GM crops or Biotech crops has been one of the most heated debates of issues within our society. The debate about the safety, concerns and disadvantages of GM crops have raged since the mid 1990 s but this is due to the lack of knowledge of the general public. Many people are unawareRead MoreCommercialization of Genetically Modified Foods Essay1297 Words   |  6 PagesCommercialization of Genetically Modified Foods Following a for year investigation into the effects of genetically modified crops on the environment, it was found that 2 out of 3 types of genetically modified crops tested were more harmful to the environment. Plus, the only genetically modified crop to be less harmful to the environment was compared to crops that were sprayed with the now illegal herbicide, atrazine. So many experts have dismissed those results untilRead MoreTo An Anthropologist, Food Is The Basis To Social, Cultural1181 Words   |  5 Pagesagricultural land we have had to switch our approach to food production. Genetically modified or engineered food has become a heated topic in the media for the past few years as there is not a clear decision on whether their benefits outweigh their concerns. Genetically modified food is a grey area to discuss as there are strong opinions surrounding which tend to be very biased. The difference between genetically modified food and genetically engineered food isn’t explained and the terms tend to be used interchangeably-Read MoreGenetically Modified Foods : Harmful Or Helpful?1199 Words   |  5 Pagesagainst genetically modified foods because they believe that these foods are associated with many health problems. Sixty percent of people in the United States do not realize that they have ever eaten a genetically modified food. These foods are all around us and constantly being improved by scientists. Genetically modified foods are really good for the world’s population. First of all, genetically modified foods have been around for centuries. Gregor Mendel had the first genetically modified food whenRead MoreThe Effects Of Genetic Modification On The Environment And The Human Race1475 Words   |  6 Pagesthe genetic modification of crops, genetic modification also poses an opportunity to lower the price of crops and increase production, which could help solve world hunger. While it may seem like negative effects would be outweighed by the possibility of solving world hunger, an important issue, the conceivably detrimental effects on the health of the environment and the human race would outweigh the humanitarian goal of stopping world hunger. Genetic modification of crops is not the only possible solutionRead MoreGenetically Modified Crops1056 Words   |  5 Pagesmany countries. If these countries were to embrace genetically modified crops, the citizens would have much better lives. According to Osakabe, Yuriko, Kajita, and Osakabe, in their ar ticle â€Å"Genetic Engineering Of Woody Plants: Current And Future Targets In A Stressful Environment†, genetic engineering in plants is better than traditional breeding methods because â€Å"†¦they bypass the long generation for breeding†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (106). Genetically modified crops have been given the best genes for survival, quickly