The definition of genetically modified food Genetically modified (GM) crops can be defined as crops "produced through modern biotechnology that enables genes to be transferred across different species and even across different plant kingdoms, to introduce desired traits into a host plant" (Wu & Butz, 2004, p.4). Therefore, GM foods can be described as food that are made when genes are transferred form one organism into another through the use of technology.
Content How genetically modified food works Agricultural innovation is not by any means the latest of innovations to human technology. For centuries, humans have been tinkering with agriculture in order to understand its genetic structure and how to help it grow quicker, bigger, and healthier. "By harnessing sunlight, soil nutrients, and water toward satisfying their wants and needs, human beings for much of their history have made more productive use of agriculture than they ever could have derived from hunting and gathering" (Wu & Butz, 2004, p.1). Traditional foods which have been eaten for thousands of years may be considered safer. Indeed, it may be difficult to identify all the potential and hazards of genetically modified foods; however, national authorities believe precise measurements and subtle modifications are necessary precautions for GM foods. So, whether you choose to believe it or not, we have been eating GM food for a while. And since its introduction in the mid-1990s, GM ingredients, a form of modified enzymes, could practically be found in all breads, cheeses, sodas, and bears. Additionally, farmers have been raising GM food crops such as corn, soybeans, and potatoes ever since their big outbreak to the market. These farming of genetically modified crop are expanding rapidly around the world. Moreover, as an example, the graph below shows US revenues from its major GM crops.
Context (why was genetically modified food developd?)
Reason 1 The basic foundation for developing food based on altered genes was the need to increase crop yields, and improve levels of crop protection against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses through genetically increasing their tolerance to pesticides. Besides improving protection, genetically modified food were produced with the idea of lowering prices and increasing beneficial characteristics, like durability and/or nutritional value (Fedoroff & Brown, 2004).
Reason 2 The population of the world apparently has topped 6 billion people and is expected to double in the next 50 years. Thus, to make sure there are adequate food supplies for this increasing population, GM foods were developed. A GM food has been implanted with a gene that enables it to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified seedlings. For instant, an antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been inserted into plants like tobacco and potato. Also, researchers are finding new ways to develop medicines and vaccines that require special storage conditions which are not usually available in the third world country. the link attached elaborate more on different reasons for developing genetically modified food. CSA - GM food
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The definition of genetically modified food
Content
How genetically modified food works
Context (why was genetically modified food developd?)
Reason 1
Reason 2
The population of the world apparently has topped 6 billion people and is expected to double in the next 50 years. Thus, to make sure there are adequate food supplies for this increasing population, GM foods were developed. A GM food has been implanted with a gene that enables it to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified seedlings. For instant, an antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been inserted into plants like tobacco and potato. Also, researchers are finding new ways to develop medicines and vaccines that require special storage conditions which are not usually available in the third world country. the link attached elaborate more on different reasons for developing genetically modified food. CSA - GM food
The next page will focus on the impacts that genetically modified foods have had on our society.
Next