Tyler Rutner

3/31/16
BIO 1010
Genetically Modified Organisms
As science has grown and proven answers to many questions that we have had
throughout the years, scientist have always been pushing its ability to the fullest. One of
the more recent scientific discoveries was the ability to genetically modify organisms.
Scientists knew that there were many issues with regards to feeding the ever growing
population throughout the world, they knew that one bad farming year could be
devastating for the economy, and they knew that if a field would be infested by some sort
of pest, it could ruin a whole crop. They began brain storming what they could do and
they landed on genetically modifying organisms.
To create a GMO, scientists first determine whether genetically modifying a plant
would be the best way to solve a plants issue, such as disease or damage from pest.
Traditional farmers do their best to keep their crops away from weeds, pests, and
droughts, all while keeping the nutritional value. GMOs aim to achieve the same goal;
just at a quicker rate and involving science. Second, scientists look for the gene they want
to fix. If a disease is attacking a plant, scientists study the plant and learn which gene is
most susceptible to attack; they then isolate that gene, and insert a new and improved
gene into the plants original DNA to solve the problem. This process makes a plant less
susceptible to whatever ailment, just as a flu shot protects us from the flu. Third,
scientists then plant the GMO and test if the plant can grow, and if it is safe to eat and
sale commercially.

There are many pros and cons to these unconventional methods. The pros, as I
stated before, are many reasons that an organism is genetically modified such as disease
or pests, this in turn makes crops grow much stronger and can withstand harsher
conditions and still provide food. Genetically modifying organisms can also increase the
shelf life of these products, which makes it possible for these crops to get shipped all over
the world. They also can grow quicker, and some would argue that they are safer to eat.
While there are many potential benefits to GMO use, there are still many
problems that need to be addressed. GMOs are connected to several environmental and
health problems. The Non-GMO Project, an organization against the use of GMOs in
agriculture, describes that GMO crops are responsible for the emergence of super
weeds and super bugs; which can only be killed with more toxic herbicides and
antibiotics. Within the past year, there has been a shocking new super bug that has been
found in at least 19 different countries. This super bacterium is now resistant to all last
resort medications, a frightening discovery. In 2009, The American Academy of
Environmental Medicine, as cited by the Institute for Responsible Technology, stated that
a number of animal studies have indicated serious health risks associated with GMO food
including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and
changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.
Genetically modified organisms are apart of our everyday lives, whether we like it
or not. These GMOs are a very controversial issue and there have been many bills in
state and federal congress that are attempting to regulate them. Personally, I dont think
believe that there is much wrong with GMOs, but I can definitely understand why people
are leery about them. Odds are that I grew up eating them, and so far I have turned out

just fine. In the article, Unhealthy Fixation, written by William Saletan, he states,
Another thing weve learned is that it makes no sense to avoid GMOs based on
standards that nobody applies to non-GMO food. Yes, its conceivable that you could
overdose on vitamin A or ingest a viral or insecticidal protein from eating fruits, grains,
or vegetables. But GMOs dont make any of these scenarios more likely or more
dangerous. In fact, if you look at illness or direct fatalitiesor at correlations between
food sales and disease trends, which anti-GMO activists like to doyou can make a
better case against organic food than against GMOs. This sums it up perfectly for me.
However, I do believe that the people have the right to know what is in their food, and I
believe that all genetically modified food should have to be labeled as such. I dont think
that GMOs are the best option, but you honestly run the risk with many store bought
items, especially those of which are carried across borderlines or produced in a factory.

Works Cited.
GMOAnswers. "How Are GMOs Created?" YouTube. 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
Mandel, Ken. "GMO Food Pros and Cons." Newsmax. 11 June 2015. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
Saletan, William. "The Misleading War on GMOs: The Food Is Safe. The Rhetoric Is
Dangerous." Slate. 15 July 2015. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
Tozzi, John. "A Scary New Superbug Gene Has Reached at Least 19 Countries."
Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.