What are Genetically Modified Organisms?

Cornfield

While you may have not heard of genetically modified organisms, you may have heard of biotechnology. These terms are used interchangeably but have different references. Biotechnology is a more general term referring to using organisms. GM (genetically modified) is a technology used for reworking the genes of certain things such as animals, plants and bacteria. Technologies for genetically modifying foods offer the 21st Century a solution to many problems.

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits to GMO. Deborah Whitman a scientist working with ProQuest thinks that with the  fast growing rate in population that GMO will be a great help in food supply. She believes that GMO is helpful in pest resistance because it can help reduce the application in chemical pesticides to keep bugs away and also help reduce costs. Another benefit is weather cannot effect the crops. So no loss of crops because of a drought, cold weather, or salinity tolerance.

Scientist Working

She believes that it also can help in 3rd world countries with malnutrition. In these countries all they grow is rice. Rice is does not contain the right kinds of nutrients needed to keep healthy. By using GMO they can increase the amount of vitamins and minerals needed it could help malnutrition rates all over the world. But because of Europe's protesting the project was never allowed to resume.

What are the negatives?

The biggest issue with GM foods is the scare of the effects on the human body. Some of the worry is that GMO sets off allergies but most of the danger people are worried about is that GMO will bring diseases that are immune to antibiotics. This has not been proven because GMO has not been around long enough to know the long term effects on the human body.

As of right now research is still being done and there are enough positives to say that I believe they should keep at it to see if they can figure out a real outcome. I think testing should go and see where that takes them. The advantages are pretty good but at the same time we must be careful and realize that the disadvantages could be very dangerous.