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The Debate Over Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods are known to have benefits as well as disadvantages. The knowledge of the long term effects of genetically modified crops is little. The creation of these crops is risky to the environment and its inhabitants. Usually the genes inserted into the original crops are not closely related to the crop. Once the genetically modified version of the crop is spread into the environment, other plants and crops around it may obtain the genetically modified gene over time. If a harmful plant obtains the modified gene, it would become harder to get rid of. Another problem with genetically modified crops is that it is harmful to the animals that feed off of the crop. The new genes, such as a built-in pesticide, may poison and kill the animals feeding off of it. A study in the US shows that 44% of caterpillars of monarch butterflies died after feeding on pollen from genetically modified corn. Not only are genetically modified foods a risk to the environmant and animals, but they are a risk to humans as well. Some genetically modified products, such as animal feed, has snuck its way into our food. This has happened before in the US, traces of a StarLink crop that was genetically modified and is restricted to be used only in animal feed, was found in taco shells. Genetically modified foods carry potentially harmful toxins and could trigger new allergies, and possibly new diseases will develop in the future due to the use of virus and bacteria DNA in some of these modified crops.
Although they may be beneficial in some ways, genetically modified foods are dangerous. They pose as a threat to the environment, animals, and humans. The short term effects of some of the genetically modified crops are already bad, and they will just get worse in the future.
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