gmo paper

We hit the age where we can genetically alter foods with specific genetic engineering. Genetically altering certain foods sounds like a great idea, some companies modify their rice to contain a high amount of Vitamin A. That’s one example of the many genetically modified foods today. It seems like theres a high promise for genetically modifying crops to contain certain vitamins and to be able to withstand certain pesticides but there is the fear of the unknown. There are many reasons why people are against GMO’s such as the cross pollination of plants and the spike in allergies. “The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years; food allergies skyrocketed, and disorders such as autism, reproductive disorders, digestive problems, and others are on the rise.” (Institute of Responsible Technology) It’s not for sure that all of the disorders listed will happen. That’s where the fear of the unknown comes in Many people are against Genetically modified foods because of the unknown long term effects and environmental effects. There were concerns about how GMO’s can affect other animals. “ GMOs may be toxic to non-target organisms, bees and butterflies being the most talked-about examples currently. Bees are hugely important in the pollination of many food crops.” (Emily Glass) If this true, this can be the biggest reason why GMO’s should be banned. Another reason how it could affect the environment is by making it a monoculture in our ecosystem. “When GM crops are planted, generally in a monocrop fashion, many heritage seeds are no longer used. The nature of GMOs means fewer weed flowers and, therefore, less nectar for pollinators. “ (Emily Glass.) Having a monoculture can result in quicker spread of diseases and can cause an economic disaster. They’re many possible consequences of genetically modifying foods but most of the possible consequences are predictions or theories. Some activists say that GMO’s can be