Engineered Foods (Research Paper) by Chando Held PDF

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A research paper I had to make for my English class....

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Chando Held Prof. Nancy Emmeluth ENGL 123 9 May 2019 Is Engineered Food good for us? We ask ourselves often who controls the food we eat and who profits from it? When it comes to farmers that are responsible for the crops that they plant, we wonder who owns the contents of a seed that is planted. Genetically Engineered Foods are foods that are produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA, usually for the sake of cheaper and easier production. These genetically modified organisms are often called GMOs for short. Phillips from CQ Researcher mentions that it has produced new drugs, new ways of making old drugs, new insights into the genetic roots of disease, and aroused little public controversy along the way. Today there are many different large GMO companies around the world like for example Bayer U.S., BASF, DuPont and Syngenta that are each responsible for creating their own GMOs seeds. In this research paper, I will be discussing the definition of Genetically Engineered Foods, GMOs, when they were introduced to the world, expert opinions, the world’s view and criticisms. According to bio-technology consultant Paul Diehl from The Balance, the modern times of Genetically Food Engineering all started when researchers in the 1990s discovered methods of transferring antibiotic-resistant genes from one type of bacteria into another. This method of gene manipulation was later inserted directly into plant and animal DNA to give those species unique characteristics, such as disease immunity, and faster growth rates. The goal of this method during that time was to experiment and test out all these modifications. For the different experiments, researchers injected mice to just to observe how these plants and animals would react to a particular injection. Based on these experiments, researchers

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were able to tell which effect these modifications would have on humans. With the knowledge that we possess nowadays about ancient times, it is believed that prehistoric farmers actually have been experimenting with plants and seeds longer before 1990, but rather many centuries ago. Considering that these prehistoric farmers were obligated to grow their own food it makes lots of sense that they were experimenting with plants and seeds in those times. Nowadays GMOs and herbicides are even used in agriculture technology to grow plants in dry areas and to give farmers the ability to be more productive in the industry. To support the claim that the experiments are not always bad, bio-technology consultant Diehl also explains, “Species that receive such advantages through this methodology are referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).” The world's first genetically modified food is a strain of a tomato which is named Flavr Savr. It was invented in California by Calgene, Inc. with ambitions to revolutionize the industrial food market, but the product was ultimately unsuccessful. According to Elizabeth Weise from USATODAY, one of the reasons why it was withdrawn from the market was because it did not sell well and did not taste any better than other tomatoes. In 1997 Calgene Inc. was acquired by a company named Monsanto. Monsanto is an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation founded in 1901 who spent billions establishing relationships with several foreign seed companies. Since Monsanto has been founded in 1901, they have been able to remain the largest agrochemical company in the industry. Also, there are many corporations that are producing genetically modified organisms GMO products. According to Lisa Cornish’s article from Devex, other companies than Monsanto that sell GMO seeds and associated products include Bayer U.S., BASF, DuPont and Syngenta. These other companies each sell these GMO products all over the world to many different grocery stores but all differ from what they sell to the market. It is known within the market that Monsanto is the biggest seed company in the world and that DuPont is

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responsible for selling genetically modified seeds across the world. Other companies like Syngenta and Bayer are responsible for selling a large quantity of agricultural chemicals. According to Weise, the few companies that own the technology and patent to create these crops are mainly Monsanto, DuPont, Bayer and Dow. A remarkable difference between these corporations is that they all operate in different developing countries. For example, Bayer currently operates in Africa, Asia and Latin America. While Monsanto operates in Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and more. Cornish also points out that GMO is needed to reduce agricultural waste and improves yield. "Although genetically engineered seed costs more than conventional seed, for many farmers the time saved and reduced use of insecticides and pesticides make them economical" (Weise). Secondly, it is to believed that Monsanto its goal is to give a hand to farmers to grow food sustainably. Even though, Monsanto is still one of the most controversial seed companies, they have managed to make billions over the years. What makes Monsanto a controversial company is that they use chemicals in the growth of their crops and plants. According to a YouTube video broadcasted by ABC News, a guy named Dwayne Johnson who worked for Monsanto claimed that the weedkillers that Monsanto used in their products caused him to have terminal cancer in August 2018. After an investigation took place, Dwayne got awarded $US 298 million by a jury in which he won the case. Senior vice president Scott Partridge from a company called Bayer U.S. hypocritically responded to Johnson’s case by saying that the judge her decision was wrong. Scott Partridge truly believes that the judge’s decision does not change the science of engineered foods and it does not change the 40 years of usage, considering that the products that Monsanto makes are completely safe. As mentioned in ABC News’s YouTube video, Lawyer Brent Wisner points out that every single chemical that has poisoned people in US’s society that Monsanto has been

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behind all of them. He also points out that for the last 20 or 30 years Monsanto has engaged in a systematic and deliberate campaign to attack any science that have the encourage to say something. In contrast, there are lots of people don’t support GMO products because it contains chemicals and also because of the way plants, seeds grow many find it harmful. Genetically engineered organisms increase herbicide use as well. There are many reasons people disapprove genetically engineered foods. One of those reasons include concerns about sicknesses or dangers to human health. It has been reported that people from all around the world have filled in complaints about the chemicals that are used in weed and pesticide killers.

Even though, GMOs have been labeled safe by the government people are becoming conscious and aware of the all products that they are using for their health. For this reason, many different countries have different regulations to protect their people and the benefits. Just like Monsanto, Bayer US has their own company process of how they are producing GMOs. According to the Bayer’s spokesperson Holger Elfes, Bayer produces and sells genetically modified products like apples, canola, corn and soybeans to people around the world. In Cornish’s article Elfes also explains that areas with lower agricultural production like Africa and some parts of Asia and Latin America have the highest potential for production. This is because the farmers of those countries are able to get access to modern tools and customized agronomic solutions. It has also been argued that there is a Non-GMO world as well. You can't miss to see a Non-GMO label from the moment you walk into a grocery store. It has a psychological and subconscious effect attached to it in order to give customers more guidance. Cameron English from Genetic Literacy Vario Project points out that varieties of everything from beer to breakfast cereal are marketed as non-GMO in grocery stores across the US. Although, "Many farmers and scientists argue just the opposite, saying that such labels promote confusion and

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the misleading belief that non-GMO products are safer or more nutritious than their genetically engineered counterparts"(English). The benefits and side effects of genetically engineered foods is most likely nothing but a different perspective. "Nearly all the corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. are genetically modified, but only two GM crops, Monsanto's MON810

maize

and

BASF's Amflora

potato,

are

accepted

in

the

European

Union"(Freedman). The topic Genetically modified foods still remain a controversial around the globe till this day. "Some countries don't want to approve genetically modified crops even though if they have to die of hunger, which I find sad but good. In Africa, where millions go hungry, several nations have refused to import GM foods in spite of their lower costs (the result of higher yields and a reduced need for water and pesticides)"(Freedman). Genetically engineered foods can harm consumers and farmers but it can also benefit farmers as well. Farmers who normally spent hours farming corn or vegetables are now able to benefit from their fast-growing crops or vegetables because of the GMO seeds. Especially when it comes to developing countries across the world. Economically some farmers are now able to make more money because of their collaboration with GMO companies. Crops are now able to fight diseases and pests as well. Many GMO companies mention that their products are not likely to present risks for human health even though many people still get poisoned till this day. In conclusion, I believe that there are both advantages and disadvantages to the use of genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs. Lots of people believe that GMOs are bad for humans and some countries don’t approve of genetically modified organism seeds or crops. Some people believe that genetically modified crops are able to fight diseases and pests and are helping some farmers to get more money. A company like Monsanto also have been able to become the largest company of the world and they operate in developing countries like Guatemala, Mexico and more. The main reason why I personally believe that GMO foods will never be completely safe is because I find that companies like Monsanto should at least listen

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to critics and be aware of the ingredients and dangers of their products. Although, GMOs remains the priority for corporations still continue to support general engineered foods just to fill their pockets instead of making the world a better place for our future children.

Works cited (Australia), ABC News. “The Secret Tactics Monsanto Used to Protect Roundup, Its Star Product | Four Corners.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Oct. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch? v=JszHrMZ7dx4. Cornish, Lisa. “How Do Corporations Perceive Their Role in the GMO Debate?” Devex, 11 May 2018, www.devex.com/news/how-do-corporations-perceive-their-role-in-thegmo-debate-92507.

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Freedman, David H. “The Truth about Genetically Modified Food” Scientific American,

1

September

2013,

www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-

genetically-modified-food/. Diehl, Paul. “Genetically Modified Food Timeline and How We Got Here.” The Balance, The Balance, 23 Dec. 2018, www.thebalance.com/genetically-modified-food-howdid-we-get-here-375719. English, Cameron. “30,000 food products with Non-GMO Project label may be “false or misleading,” FDA guidance document says.” Genetic Literacy Project, April 11 2019, www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2019/04/11/30000-food-products-with-non-gmo-projectlabel-may-be-false-or-misleading-fda-guidance-document-says/ Phillips, Susan C. “Genetically Engineered Foods.” CQ Researcher by CQ Press, library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre1994080500. Weise, Elizabeth. “Q&A: What You Need to Know about Genetically Engineered Foods.”

USA

Today,

Gannett

Satellite

Information

Network,

22

Nov.

2015,

www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/19/what-you-need-know-genetically-engineeredfoods/76059166/.

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OUTLINE. INTRODUCTION. Thesis statement: In this research paper I will be discussing the definition of Genetically Engineered Foods, GMOs, how they were introduced to the world, interested companies and their goals, and the world’s view and criticism. BODY. Main Point #1: - Introduction of GMO and genetically engineered foods to world. Main Point #2: - Cooperations, interested companies and their goals. Main Point #3: - The world's view, criticism and approval rights Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that there are both advantages and disadvantages to the use of genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs....