Positive and Negative Impact of Genetically Modified Food Essay

componenttically modify (GM) solid foods ar foods derived from organisms whose constituenttic material ( deoxyribonucleic acid) has been modified in a way of life that does non occur rude(a)ly, e.g. through the introduction of a broker from a different organism. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from gear ups, only when in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals atomic number 18 in all likelihood to be introduced on the market. some existing constituenttically modified dress ups adopt been developed to better yield, through the introduction of protection to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides. In the future, genetic modification could be aimed at altering the nutrient content of food, reducing its allergenic potential difference, or change the efficiency of food payoff systems. All GM foods should be assessed in the lead being allowed on the market. FAO/WHO Codex guidelines exist for risk analysis of GM food.Positiv e and Negative Impacts Genetically Modified Food Has on the mankindThe term genetically modified food, also known as genetically modified organisms, is most commonly used to refer to crop plants pretendd for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. The reason these plants are being modified today is to invoke desired traits such as increased subway to herbicides (pesticides used to deplete unwanted plants) or improved nutritionary content. In order to create these genetically modified foods, scientists must introduce specific changes to their DNA by using extremely precise genetic engineering techniques. While thither are some benefits that genetically modified foods may offer, there are also some risks and negative affects that these foods heap cause as well.Genetically modified foods take over been helpful in many another(prenominal) aspects of the land. Firstly, they have the superpower to help meet the growing demands for food tack on as the world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 years or so. Ensuring enough food supply for this booming population is going to be a major fight down in years to come, and genetically modified foods allow for help do this in a number of ways. Forexample, crop losses from insect pests can be shocking, resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. By growing genetically modified foods such as B.T. corn, farmers can help eliminate the production of chemical pesticides that cause potential health hazards, and there will be higher 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 disgusting to bacteriuml, 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 modi fied foods will therefore lead to less continues Harmful set up of the AgentGenetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a broad stem 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 posed by GMOs vary gibe to the type of organism being modified and its intended application. Most of the cite surrounding GMOs relates to their potential for negative effects on the purlieu and human health. Because GMOs that could directly effect human health are primarily products that can enter 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 skilful as their traditional counterparts and are generally unregulat ed (FDA website). However, there are several types of potential health effects that could result from the insertion of a novel gene into an organism. Health effects of primary concern to sentry go assessors are production of parvenue allergens, increased toxicity, decreased nutrition, and antibiotic drug resistance (Bernstein et al., 2003).Food AllergyFood Allergy affects approximately 5% of children and 2% of adults in the U.S. and is a significant public health threat (Bakshi, 2003). hypersensitised reactions in humans occur when a normally harmless protein enters the dust 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 never been consumed as human food, the concern that the protein could bring up an immune response in humans increases. Although no allergic reactions to GM food by consumers have been confirmed, in vitro evidence suggesting that som e GM products could cause an allergic reaction has motivated biotechnology companies to discontinue their discipline (Bakshi, 2003).Increased ToxicityMost plants produce 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. There is concern that inserting an exotic gene into a plant could cause it to produce toxins at higher levels that could be dangerous to humans. This could happen through the puzzle out 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 deputize with a metabolic pathway causing a stressed plant to produce more toxins in response. Although these effects have not been notice in GM plants, they have been observed through conventional do methods creating a safety concern for GM plants. For example, pota toes conventionally bred for increased diseased resistance have produced higher levels of glycoalkaloids (GEO-PIE website).Decreased Nutritional ValueA genetically modified plant could theoretically have turn away nutritional quality than its traditional counterpart by making nutrients unavailable or indigestible to humans. For example, phytate is a compound 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 understand showing that a strain 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 . bacterium 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 azoic 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 growing it in a solution containing the synonymic 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 pick 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 dig estive system under 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. Never the less it is a concern and the FDA is advance biotechnologists to phase out the practice of using antibiotic resistance genes (GEO-PIE website).