GMO Food
The process of genetic modification of an organism

Genetic modification of an organism is the process by which the genes of an organism are altered to introduce useful genes that are believed to help it to grow and thrive in any given condition. The genes contain DNA, a basic building block of all living organisms that is responsible for the presence or absence of certain traits or characteristics and modification of these genes creates new traits in the plants.

The genetic modification of a crop begins with the isolation of genes that are proved to have certain characteristics so that the same traits can be induced in other crops. The next step is to insert the gene into another crop and the most common technique is through a process called recombinant DNA that transfers the genes through the plasmids. Particle bombardment is another technique used to transfer the gene to another…...

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References

Organic Consumers Organization. (2012). Millions against Monsanto. Retrieved from: http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm

Institute of Responsible Technology. (no date). State-of-the-Science on the health risks of genetically modified foods. Retrieved from:  http://www.saynotogmos.org/paper.pdf 

US Food and Drug Administration. (01/04/2010). FDA News Release. Retrieved from:  http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm170842.htm 

Whitman, Deborah. (April 2000). Genetically Modified Foods: Helpful or harmful? Retrieved from:  http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

Food
There are many different controversies with respect to food, among them issues about long-run food security, about different health issues related to food including added salt and trans-fats, or on the positive side the value of highly-nutritious superfoods. But probably the biggest subject of public debate with respect to food these days relates to GMOs, or genetically-modified organisms. They are almost always banned in Europe, but in the U.S. not only are they not banned, but they are not labelled, and they make up a significant portion of the food supply. Some estimates place the amount of processed food containing a GMO crop at around 80% in the United States, the most common being high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, canola oil and soy products (UC Biotech.org, 2012). This paper will argue that genetically modified foods should be labeled, in order to allow consumers to make up their own minds…...

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References

Entine, J. (2014). Why liberal Americans are turning against GMO labeling. Forbes. Retrieved November 17, 2014 from  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2014/08/25/why-liberal-americans-are-turning-against-gmo-labeling/ 

James, C. & Krattiger, A. (1996). Global review of the field testing and commercialization of transgenic plants. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech applications. Retrieved November 17, 2014 from http://www.isaaa.org/kc/Publications/pdfs/isaaabriefs/Briefs%201.pdf

Martineau, B. (2001). First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Foods. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Morris, F. (2010). Monsanto GMO ignites big seed war. NPR.org. Retrieved November 17, 2014 from  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122498255

This toxin is currently used as a conventional insecticide in agriculture and is safe for human consumption," (WHO 2010). This begs the question: if the "toxin" is safe, then why is it called a toxin? With similar grim irony, biotechnology companies are inserting viruses and bacteria into plants too. Theoretically, these alterations to the genetic structure of the plant are "safe," but there have been no longitudinal studies showing that introducing toxins, bacteria, and viruses into the food chain deliberately will have net positive effects. As of now, "no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved," (WHO 2010). The effects on human DNA have yet to be seen. Clearly the impetus to alter plant genes is a financial one. Increasing crop yields is code for improving profits.
In a…...

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References

Green Facts (2005). Scientific Facts on Genetically Modified Crops. Retrieved online:  http://www.greenfacts.org/en/gmo/2-genetically-modified-crops/index.htm#0 

WebMD (n.d.). Are Biotech Foods Safe to Eat? Retrieved online:  http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/are-biotech-foods-safe-to-eat 

World Health Organization (WHO 2010). 20 questions on genetically modified (GM) foods. Retrieved online:  http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/

Food Ethics
One might think that there are not a lot of ethical standards and policies that could and do apply when it comes to the manufacturing and selling of food. However, that is far from being the case and this has been true for a rather long time. Whether it be whether the food is genetically modified, the country of origin for a food, when the food expires, how the food is generally labeled and so forth, people that manufacture or sell food products have a litany of ethical standards and rules that they can and should follow. Indeed, the safety of the consumers are in play and there are also some "right to know" factors involved that consumers have a right to. While some people overplay their hand when it comes to the ethical selling of food, there are absolutely some valid concerns and they should be addressed.

Analysis

Perhaps the…...

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References

Dean, A. (2015). Local Produce vs. Global Trade. Policyinnovations.org. Retrieved 27 September 2015, from http://www.policyinnovations.org/ideas/briefings/data/local_global

Waller, M. (2015). GMO backers dismiss danger fears. SAST. Retrieved 27 September 2015, from  http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/state/gmo-labeling-not-moving-in-texas-safety-touted_81400014

Genetically Modified Organisms Technology
GMO Gentically Modified Organisms

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is any organism that has had its genetic makeup altered by humans Ahmed, 2002.

The organism could be an animal, plant, or microorganism. The changing of the genetic code could involve subtracting, adding, or altering. All these changes could be from the same species or different species, which would give the organism characteristics that it does not have normally. GMO technology is widely used for scientific research and in the production of foods and goods. A GMO results from the laboratory process of extracting genes from the DNA of a species and forcing the genes into an unrelated plant or animal's genes. The foreign genes come from viruses, bacteria, animals, insects, or even humans. GMOs allow for the production of organisms with desired biological traits or favor the expression of some desired traits. Conventional crop farming, livestock production, and pet…...

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References

Ahmed, F.E. (2002). Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods. TRENDS in Biotechnology, 20(5), 215-223.

Bowring, F. (2004). Therapeutic and reproductive cloning: a critique. Social Science & Medicine, 58(2), 401-409.

Burton, M., Rigby, D., Young, T., & James, S. (2001). Consumer attitudes to genetically modified organisms in food in the UK. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 28(4), 479-498.

Curtis, K.R., McCluskey, J.J., & Wahl, T.I. (2004). Consumer acceptance of genetically modified food products in the developing world.

GMO has been touted by companies like Monsanto as safe and cost-effective, providing food solutions for millions of people in developed and under-developed countries. However, new research indicates GMO foods may not be as safe as believed. Laws like the GMO food labeling bill passed in 2016 allow consumers to be informed in what ingredients comprise their favorite food products. Why? Because GMO foods are not healthy. Thesis: Studies show the deleterious effects of long-term exposure to GMO foods especially foods that contain the weed killer, Roundup and yet Monsanto refuses to state the truth and in fact, lobbies to change labeling brought on by the food-labeling bill going on its end-stage summer, 2018. Problems: Overview
The GMO food labeling bill, which requires final rules by July 29, 2018 may allow companies to place QR codes rather than clear, on-package labeling, decreasing label efficacy and preventing millions of Americans from becoming informed…...

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References

Derber, C. (2014). Corporation nation: How corporations are taking over our lives and what we can do about it. St. Martin\\'s Press.

Duke, S. O. (2018). Herbicide-Resistant Crops: Agricultural, Economic, Environmental, Regulatory, and Technological Aspects. Milton: CRC Press.

Ecowatch. (2018, May 4). Proposed GMO Food Labeling Could Leave 100 Million Americans in the Dark. Retrieved from

FoodSafety. (2014, January 15). U.S. Places 21st in Ranking of World Food Systems | Food Safety News. Retrieved from http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/01/u-s-places-21st-in-ranking-of-world-food-systems/

Friedland, A. J., Relyea, R., & Courard-Hauri, D. (2012). Essentials of environmental science. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.

Howlett, M., & Laycock, D. (2013). Regulating Next Generation Agri-Food Biotechnologies: Lessons from European, North American and Asian Experiences. Florence: Taylor and Francis.

Janssens, L., & Stoks, R. (2017). Stronger effects of Roundup than its active ingredient glyphosate in damselfly larvae. Aquatic Toxicology, 193, 210-216. doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.10.028

Sheppard, K. (2013, October 17). Monsanto Hires Former Senator As Lobbyist. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/monsanto-blanche-lincoln-_n_4110750.htmlhttps://www.ecowatch.com/gmo-food-labels-qr-codes-2565811298.amp.html

labelling GMO foods in Hawaii, where there have been several initiatives to curtail the use -- or at least to force the disclosure of GMO labelling and other transparency issues. Gillam (2014) describes a ballot measure on Maui seeking to suspend the production of GMO crops on the island. It is noted that there is little transparency with respect to these crops. Many of the genetic changes are done to make the crops resistant to aggressive pesticides, and this contributes to health and environmental dangers. Citizen's groups argue that not enough is known about the long-run effects of GMO crops and that the companies involved lack transparency, and do not typically operate in the public interest, but only in their own interest.
Brower (2013) describes a bill passed to force disclosure from GMO companies with respect to pesticide testing sites, which are feared to be adjacent to schools, homes and…...

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References

Brower, A. (2013). To feed and protect the world, rein in corporate ag. Huffington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2014 from  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrea-brower/in-celebration-of-world-f_b_4347635.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share 

Gillam, C. (2014). Anti-GMO crop, pesticide ballot initiative launched in Hawaii. Reuters. Retrieved April 20, 2014 from

GMO Crops
There are many aspects to the GMO food debate, and one of the major ones is the idea that GMO foods are essential to feeding a global population that is expected to top out at 9 billion people. The amount of arable land is not growing, and indeed climate-change induced desertification and declining supplies of fresh water are probably decreasing the amount of arable land worldwide. GMO foods -- which have usually been modified so that they are resistant to pesticides or deliver higher yields -- are often promoted as a solution to the perceived coming global hunger crisis (Charles et al., 2010). In particular, GMO foods are promoted as a means of closing the yield gap -- Western nations utilizing modern agricultural techniques tend to have higher yields that nations with more traditional agricultural systems.

Feeding Nine Billion

If the world's population is expected to plateau around nine billion, that…...

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References

Charles, H., Godfray, J., Beddington, J., Crute, I., Haddad, L., Lawrence, D., Muir, J., Pretty, J., Robinson, S., Thomas, S. & Toulmin, C. (2010). Food security: The challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science. Vol. 327 (2010) 812-818.

Cordell, D., Drangert, J. & White, S. (2009). The story of phosphorous: Global food security and food for thought. Global Environmental Change. Retrieved June 3, 2015 from http://www.global-food-security.com/assets/story-of-phosphorous.pdf

Gustavsson, J., Cederberg, C. & Sonesson, U. (2011). Global food losses and food waste. Save Food Congress. Retrieved June 3, 2015 from http://www.madr.ro/docs/ind-alimentara/risipa_alimentara/presentation_food_waste.pdf

Hino, A. (2002). Safety assessment and public concerns for genetically modified food products: The Japanese experience. Toxicologic Pathology. Vol. 30 (1) 126-128.

Environment
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are a current environmental topic. A large portion of genetically modified foods, in the United States, for example, are foods grown on a farm. Many forms of produce, including vegetables and fruits are genetically modified. Animals that are raised to be slaughtered for food are also victims of GMOs. In global news, people around the world are protesting GMOs. Some people do not want any GMOs as part of their food supply. Some people advocate that products that are GMOs must be properly labeled as such so that consumers can make more informed decisions regarding their food consumption. There is not much regulation for companies to label foods as GMO, and this is another issue within the issue. GMO's must be grown and cultivated slightly different than regular foods. GMO cultivation may involve spraying or dusting the crops with substances that are harmful to the humans…...

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References:

Frewer, L., Lassen, J., Kettlitz, B., Scholderer, J., Beekman, V., & Berdal, K.G. (2004). Societal aspects of genetically modified foods. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42(7), 1181 -1193.

Kulper, H.A., Kleter, G.A., Noteborn, H.P.J.M., & Kok, E.J. (2001). Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods. The Plant Journal, 27(6), 503 -- 528.

McCluskey, J.J., Grimsrud, K.M., Ouchi, H., & Wahl, T.I. (2003). Consumer response to genetically modified food products in Japan. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 32(2), 222-231.

Pros and Cons of GMO Farming The commercial growing of GMO crops has been around for a while – with the last two decades having been especially important for GMO advancement. As a matter of fact, it is important to note that from 1996 to 2014, the global area under GM production grew from 1.7 to 182 million HA (James 72). In essence, the crops that account for the largest portion of GM crop production include, but they are not limited to, soybean, canola, maize, and cotton (James 54). However, the all-time favorite GM crop appears to be soybean. It is, however, important to note that GM crop production is not uniform across the world. This is to say that there are some jurisdictions where GM crop production happens to be higher in comparison to others. At present, the largest GM-free zone happens to be Russia. In most cases, policy decisions…...

Frankenfoods Debate
Genetically Modified Foods

The Center for Food Safety (2015) claims that 85, 91, and 88% of American corn, soybean, and cotton crops are currently genetically engineered (GE). Although cotton is not a common ingredient in foods, the oil produced from cotton seeds can frequently be found in food ingredients. As a result of the prevalence of GE foods, it is hard to purchase conventional foods at a supermarket which does not contain at least a small amount of GE products. Other common GE ingredients are beet sugar and canola oil (Center for Food Safety, 2013, p. 3).

On a visit to a local supermarket I examined the labels of Dannon blueberry yogurt and Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal. The yogurt label did not provide any information about the presence of GE products, yet the label listed sugar, which may be from beet sugar, and milk, which may contain recombinant bovine growth hormone…...

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References

Center for Food Safety. (2013). True food shopper's guide: How to avoid genetically engineered foods. Retrieved from  http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/files/shoppers-guide_final_24562.pdf .

Center for Food Safety. (2015). About genetically engineered foods. Retrieved from  http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/311/ge-foods/about-ge-foods# .

Editorial Board. (2015, March 29). We don't need labels on genetically modified foods. Washington Post. Retrieved from  http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-dont-need-labels-telling-us-our-food-has-been-genetically-modified/2015/03/29/66f97f4a-d4c5-11e4-8fce-3941fc548f1c_story.html .

Environmental isk of GMO
The environmental risk of genetically-modified organisms (GMO) is a controversial topic that has been addressed in peer-reviewed journals by researchers, some of whom claim there is a high-risk to GMO (Seralini et al., 2012) and some of whom claim there is no discernible risk (Tien Huy, 2013). This paper will compare and contrast the two risk perceptions in two articles, identify the environmental stressors that are related to the environmental risk, and conclude with a discussion of my own risk perception of GMO.

The risk perception of GMO on the environment is high according to the study by Seralini et al. (2012), in which is shown that the results of a 2-year study of rats that were fed oundup-tolerant genetically modified maize indicated a direct link between the GM corn and death: "In females, all treated groups died 2-3 times more than controls, and more rapidly" (Seralini…...

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References

Seralini, G., Clair, E., Mesnage, R., et al. (2012). Long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 50(11): 4221-4231.

Tien, D., Huy, H. (2013). Comments on 'Long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize'. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 53(3): 443-444.

Furthermore, these crops could exhaust soil to such a degree that no more crops could be developed there, and thus contribute to rather than alleviate the problem of world hunger.
Another problem cited by opponents is the danger to biodiversity that might be created by GMO's. Genetically modifying foods may have a negative impact on the environment by destroying biodiversity, according to this group. Proponents however argue that biodiversity is encouraged rather than destroyed by genetic engineering. Indeed, they place it in the same category with modifications that have been brought about in nature itself in order to adjust to different environments, or by human beings in the past.

Biological engineering is a very controversial issue, and it appears that it will remain so for a long time, even while the field grows and develops beyond attempts to stop it....

GMO Foods
The safety, or lack thereof, of genetically modified foods is subject to considerable debate in the public sphere. In order to render a reasonable opinion on the subject of feeding GMO foods to my children, I would want to defer to the best available science, and add a dash of reason. The first thing that would need to be established is the methodology by which one assesses the concept of safety. Clearly, there are no safety issues in the sense of GMO foods being poison (i.e. having immediate negative health effects). The question of GMO safety therefore is more a question of long-term impacts on human health.

A major study on the safety of genetically modified foods determined that, based on the traditional human food consumption patterns, there are no safety issues with the consumption of plant-based GMO foods (Konig et al, 2004). Further studies have examined the use of…...

The Case Against Genetically Modified Foods
Being a farmer is probably one of the hardest professions in the world, largely because of the lack of control that farmers have over their results. They can work tirelessly and still have crops wiped out by inclement weather or insects and other pests. It’s a precarious way to make a living, and genetically modified foods (GMO) at first seemed like a solution to so many of the obstacles present when trying to grow a bountiful crop. For example, GMO crops that are resistant to insects/pests can be achieved by adding a poisonous bacterium to the crops that incorporate a natural insect repellant, yet still safe for human consumption. These means that farmers don’t have to rely so heavily on toxic chemicals to repel bugs and it means the soil has to undergo less manipulation and can maintain its integrity better. While these benefits for…...

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Key Factors Affecting Milk Supply in Dairy Farming

Milk production in dairy farming is a complex process influenced by numerous interconnected factors. Understanding and managing these factors is crucial to optimizing milk yield and ensuring the profitability of dairy operations. Here are the key elements that significantly impact milk supply:

1. Feed and Nutrition:

Feed quality and quantity play a pivotal role in milk production. Cows require a balanced diet rich in energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins to produce milk efficiently.

- Forage Quality: High-quality forage, such as alfalfa and grass hay, provides roughage and essential nutrients. Proper pasture management and supplementation during grazing....

While proponents of genetically modified foods argue that they offer numerous benefits such as increased crop yields and improved nutritional content, the potential risks associated with consuming these genetically modified organisms (GMOs) far outweigh any possible benefits, including adverse health effects, environmental harm, and threats to biodiversity. One major health risk associated with consuming genetically modified foods is the potential for allergic reactions. When genes from one organism are inserted into another to create GM foods, it is possible that new allergens could be introduced that were not present in the original food. This could lead to serious allergic reactions in....