Preview

Gmo Effect On Public Health Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
995 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Gmo Effect On Public Health Essay
If the movement of people, food, and manufactured goods can have such a negative impact on public health, should steps be taken to reduce these flows?

On the surface, it would seem that the conservative notion of imposing strict limitations to protect public health would be best. Yet, all that does is promote isolation. Historically, the countries that have fared the best, are those that have met disease head on. (Globalization 101, n.d.) There are many casualties from such events, but in the long run, it strengthens the people, as they build resistance and immunity.

Since it is impossible to fully stop the transmission of any given disease, if we attempt to isolate ourselves, it simply makes us more sensitive to the disease when it finally breaks through. The Native Americans are a fantastic example of what happens when a group is exposed to a disease for which they have no defense.

What other
…show more content…
How do you feel about genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Honestly, I have no real feelings about GMOs. I understand that this is a contentious use of science, but history is replete with many examples of such contentions. In 1786, the woolen workers of Leeds, UK, mounted opposition against what they called “Scribbling Machines” that robbed them of their income. (Economist’s View, 2007) Later, in the 1980s (and even to today), many opposed computer-controlled automation, for the same reason. Nuclear power, was originally embraced, much as GMOs initially were, as a demonstration of prosperity and power, and even as a potential cure for cancer. (Scientific American,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Many people look at GMOs with a sort of view as if to ask: Why should I eat new GMO crops, when I could eat a crop that has been around for millennia? What they don’t understand, is that there is really no such thing as a crop that scientists just altered. People have been modifying plants since the creation of agriculture twelve thousand years ago. While it may have been done differently back then, the current method of genetically modifying plants is just a more deliberate way of doing what humankind has always done. The only difference now is that people have a scientific understanding of what they are doing and have improved agricultural techniques; advancements in agriculture have moved from the farm to the lab. The reason that I think so many people are opposed to GMOs, is because they don’t understand what they are, and because they think that scientists are doing something radical in making GMOs; they fear the unknown.”(Chrisopher…

    • 1902 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Globalization101 Unit 7

    • 912 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The movement of people, food and manufactured goods has taken a toll on public health. While this increased…

    • 912 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gmos Research Paper

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages

    When one tries to prove that GMOs are safe, the other does the same to prove the contrary. However, there is one point that both side agree on and that is that GMOs are already on the American market. Starting from that point we can make our own observations. For instance, if it is true that we have been eating GMOs for the past years then surely we will have been affected by its health risks if there are such risks. The problem is that there has been no symptoms of any sort for the last few years neither for me or anyone in my environment just like was observed by the scientists of the National Academies of Sciences, Mechanics and Medicine (“The Verdict on GMO…” 71). Now I do not claim that GMOs can save us from world hunger, but one thing is sure, they are not dangerous for our health. I do not agree with everything said by the GMOs activists, but I tend to believe them more because the basis of the argument, the safety of GMOs, is most likely to be true. I also tend to believe them more after Lynas’ interview for he witnessed the views of both sides making him, more or less an objective source, and sided with the GMOs activists (“GMOS: A Solution or…” 131-132). Thus, I find myself adopting, the pro-GMOs position for I cannot see any dangers in…

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pro Gmo Persuasive Essay

    • 556 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The concern regarding GMOs is understandable. The world is changing and everything humans use and consume have a consequence. However, to assume that GMOs are naturally bad is a naive and uninformed opinion. GMOs are revolutionizing the world and must be allowed an unbiased chance in consumer markets. After all, many of the cures and inventions we take for granted today were surrounded by controversy and paranoia in their early days, similarly to GMOs…

    • 556 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gm Foods Persuasive Essay

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Food shortage, world hunger, an starvation have been a big problem for the world. Scientist are trying to grab a hold of these problems before matters get any worse. Food shortage, world hunger, and starvation are three reasons as to why scientists have decided to modify foods. GM foods are a new genetically modified way to "improve" crop production, but these new improvements are not as helpful as scientists planned them to be. GM foods should play no role in the global food supply because GM foods have no beneficial role within humans lives.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Genetically Modified Organisms have become a scientific phenomenon in curing world hunger. Unfortunately, over one billion people fall victim to one of the world’s leading causes of death, malnourishment. Many critics believe that GMOs do not provide enough nutrients and “good stuff”, therefore they believe that many people consuming GMOs are in danger. Others say that GMOs can fix world hunger because they can produce hundreds of GM foods at a time. My side is to believe that GMO shouldn’t be used to solve the problem of world hunger.…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    About a year ago, I remember shouting at my husband Henry trying to convince him the difference between GM foods and organic foods. ”No! You just don’t get the concept of GMOS”, I yelled. It was a nice Sunday afternoon, when I and Henry had this big argument on GMO’s, which later on continued the whole day right from the grocery store to the dinner table.…

    • 278 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    GMO Persuasive Essay

    • 1295 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Not all foods are as they seem. Certain foods labeled as a Genetically modified organisms, which are more commonly known as GMOs Free, are in fact not. GMOs are foods that have added bacteria and genes. There are only certain labels that can be trusted on some foods you eat and cook with today. The apple that a child is eating can in fact be genetically modified to make it cheaper and more readily available. There are labels you can trust, such as ones that say “Organic”, or “Non-GMO Project Verified”. One may see “GMOs free” , or “Non-GMOs” they do not have certain standards to stay up to date with. Food labeled “Organic” do not contain GMOs (Harrar 97-100). Organic foods are healthier than GMOs.…

    • 1295 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    GMO Argumentative Essay

    • 386 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In conclusion I believe that GMOs are a good thing and positively impacts the world. GMOs have the potential to things to end world hunger, lower the poverty rates, and help…

    • 386 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Effects of Gmos

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The two articles I have chosen are both peer-reviewed and have two different opinions about GMO’s. The first article, titled “GMO’s and Global Justice” by Kristian Toft, is against the use of GMO’s, explaining how they are bad for us as human beings and for our environment. Her biggest concern is that we do not know the extent of what these genetically modified foods are doing to our bodies because of the lack of long-term affect testing. When trans-fats were first introduced, corporations battled to get them onto our grocery shelves. It is only decades later that this once novel food has been proven to be extremely unhealthful. This could be a glance into the future of GMO’s. It is similarly a concern that GMO’s in food are causing an increase in allergic reactions. The process of genetically modifying a plant or animal adds new proteins that weren’t indigenous to the original plant or animal, causing an allergic reaction increase when ingested in the human body. Also, some GMO foods have had antibiotic features added to them so they are resistant to certain diseases and viruses. When humans eat them, these antibiotics features persist in our bodies and make actual antibiotic medications less effective. Toft goes on to say that GMO’s are banned in more than 60 countries around the world including, the European Union,…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The controversial issue of genetically modified foods, commonly known as GM’s, has only gained the attention of millions, since it became a prominent and highly debated global issue. Genetically modified foods are created when the genes of an organism are engineered and modified to create a new or enhanced version of that organism. The process of using different genes from different sources to genetically modify foods led to public outcry and sometimes, praise. People in support of genetically modified foods claims it will enhance the quality of the food, improve the food’s resistance to pests and other harmful elements, lower food costs, and also increase food security for the future. However, those opposed to genetically modified foods claim…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The fact that the movement of people, food, and manufactured goods can have a negative impact on public health does not necessarily mean that their movements should be restricted at all times and in all circumstances. People who have highly contagious diseases and know that they have such diseases, especially when the disease is airborne, for example should be willing to restrict their travel until the danger of contagion has passed. If they are not willing, restricting their travel across international borders especially, should probably be enforced. The trade of food should be restricted in the event that the food is contaminated until it can be proven that the danger has passed. Imported foods allow people frigid or temperate climates to have easier access to fresh produce year round (The Levin Institute, n.d.). This has an over all positive effect of health. Manufactured goods should not have a direct effect on public health, but while the policies that allow the trade of goods may have a positive impact…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    European Diseases

    • 1449 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In addition, overwhelming historical evidence suggests that the greatest rates of morbidity and death from infection are associated with the introduction of new diseases from one region of the world to another by processes associated with civilized transport of goods at speeds and over distances outside the range of movements common to hunting and gathering groups. (excerpt from book of same title: pp. 131-141) Cohen, M. Health and the Rise of Civilization. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989.…

    • 1449 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Glt1 Task 1

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I have no doubt in my mind that movement of people, food and manufactured goods have had and continue to have negative impact on public health. Because disease carrying organism and virus get transported throughout the world in much less time than the incubation period, making people, food and manufactured goods carriers of virus and disease causing organisms. These diseases are normally undetected until they have gone through their incubation period. Much as that is the case, steps should not be taken to reduce the flow or movement of people, food and manufactured goods. Movement of people, food and goods plays an important role in the growth of different economies, the improvement of service industries, the provision of much needed nutritious food, transfer of knowledge and global trade in general. To try and reduce the flow is to try and reduce the rate at which world trade and development takes place, and this can…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Def/Explanation: Firstly, GMO is an acronym for Genetically Modified Organisms. What this concept is can be briefly explained by the following analogy. Suppose I take Iman* and Ibrahim* to take part in a science experiment. I take some of Iman’s genes, duplicate it and put it in Ibrahim’s body. Then I present Ibrahim in front of you all and tell you that this new Ibrahim is far stronger, efficient and beneficial to all of you and the society. You guys don’t know anything that has happened with Ibrahim internally and are just brainwashed that he is better for us. Similarly, GMOs are created but instead of humans they’re experimented on crops and animals. Therefore, because it is inhumane, defies the laws of nature and have consequences that are unknown to us, I strongly believe that GMOs should be completely banned from our society, once and for all!…

    • 1324 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays