Genetically Modified Foods essays

Genetically Modified Foods essays The world population has reached an alarming 6 billion people, and it is predicted that it will continue to even double in the next 50 years. Will there be enough food to feed billions of billions of people by that time? Or will Malthuss theory be proven true? Biotechnology says no. At least not with Genetically Modified Products . Many issues have arised, that Gm products harm the environment, and are not tested enough for human beings. But one cannot deny the fact Genetically modified foods have the potential to solve many of the worlds problems, like reducing the reliance of pesticide and chemical use in food, give increased yield in crops , and relieve food problems such as starvation and diseases. Who does like to eat food with tons of pesticides? Most people would agree that nobody does. Farmers however endure crop losses due to pests which have a great financial effect. To avoid it, farmers spend a lot of money on chemicals and pesticides which are sprayed all over the food we will later consume. With GM foods scientists have taken a single gene from DNA, whether it be from daffodils, or the protein in the Bt bacteria, and transferred onto a food such as rice or potato. In this case, the Bt toxin for example, can be put into potatoes or corn, and when an insect tries to eat it, the toxin goes directly to the stomach of this insect, and it dies. So as a result, the Bt results as a pesticide/insecticide. Doesnt this have a lesser effect on the environment than spraying pesticides? The environment benefits, the costs of pesticide use for farmers is reduced, and consumers do not have to eat foods with such heavy amounts of pesticides. Because crops have a higher resistance to pests, the yields will now be higher than they were before. This means that there will be a higher income for farmers, and it may decrease the need of migration from rural areas to urbanized ones. As a result, the competition...