Impacts of Genetically Modified Organisms - Essay Example

"Impacts of Genetically Modified Organisms" is a good example of a paper on food and nutrition.
It used to be that people went to the market and bought foods believing, without a doubt, in the sign above the items claiming “fresh” and “natural”. Because of the advances in technology, people now have second thoughts in purchasing products for fear that it is more a creation of science than of nature. The Grocery Manufacturing Association claims the majority of the food items sold in the stores have genetically modified organisms. (Hennessey) Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are the results of genetic engineering in which the genetic make-up of an organism is altered by introducing a foreign gene. (Berg) I do not advocate the use of GMOs because it is a probable health risk and an environmental hazard.

            GMOs in foods can be a source of allergic reactions in humans. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, genetically modified foods are as safe as traditional foods. (Maryanski 1) Nevertheless, since the substance introduced may be a known cause of allergy or something alien to the human body, there is an increased probability of an allergic reaction. (Celec 535) Blood tests from people allergic to Brazil nuts showed alarming results when scientists tried to create healthier soybeans by mixing it with a gene from the Brazil nut. (Celec 535)

            GMO crops can be harmful to non-GMO plants and species. Based on a study done at Cornell University the pollen from GMO corn plants can kill the monarch butterfly that eats it. (Milius 324) The interaction of GMO plants with conventional plants and species in the vicinity may result in pesticide-resistant insects or widespread growth of weeds. (Celec, 536)

            Proponents and advocates of genetically modified organisms refer to the benefits that have been and could be realized. It is best to indicate, however, that it is too early to tell if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of using GMOs. The presence of GMOs in food, humans, animals, and plants may result in little unnoticeable problems that could build up and take society by surprise. Science continues to promote that everything in the world is a certain way to achieve balance. If so, why does it continue changing what essentially makes up a unique thing? History has already witnessed how society’s little manipulations of nature have brought about disastrous effects on mankind.