miércoles, 28 de diciembre de 2011

Genetically engineered food is food which is enhanced by the addition of genes from different species to make them better. Genes are, in the most basic interpretation, codes that are responsible for certain characteristics, the production of certain enzymes or to create a certain appearance, and in the case of genetically engineered food the genes are often put in place to create enhanced versions of regular food. Since it is quite a costly process to develop, genetically engineered food is patented by large corporations that are responsible for their research and development.Pest resistance is one of the prominent benefits of genetically modified foods. Due to insects and pests, farmers lose a lot of money and lose a lot of crop globally. The aggregated loss is gigantic when it comes to the global level. Therefore, the genetically modified foods were introduced with the characteristics of pest resistance. As an example, some plants and flowers are pest resistant by nature. T he scientists have taken the gene responsible for making such plants pest resistant and have added it to the foods we eat. Then the foods get the pest resistant ability, while producing more crops. In addition to that, the farmer is at advantage as he / she does not have to spend on chemicals and mechanisms for pest control. On the other hand, the consumers receive clean and healthy foods that have not been in touch with deadly chemicals and also .The major disadvantage is the speculation that these pesticides and resilient genes can pass on to consumers to create u desirable conditions for them such as allergies, diseases and cancer. Though any of these effects are yet to be proven or actually reported, genetically engineered food continues to stock up super market aisles and to be purchased over natural foods. Nowadays, over 65 percent of food items are genetically engineered food or made with popular genetically enhanced components such as corn, rapeseed (canola) or soy. Even though reports exist that laboratory animals that have been fed genetically engineered food have suffered considerable organ damage and illnesses, humans are apparently immune to these effects. But the speculation hasn?t died that it may affect the future generations and their genetic makeup.

In May 2009, Germany has officially banned genetically engineered food from their country but most other countries continue their use. In the USA, it is more of an individual preference whether they are going to consume genetically engineered food or natural food and it has been made official that all GMO food are to be labeled with their ingredients and their genetic status while non-GMO foods are not to contain any enhanced components. However, with the increasing population and slow reduction of farming land, GMOs may just be our only hope to keep our generation as well as the future generations from imminent starvation.

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