Genetically Modified Food Benefits Essay Example

Genetically modified foods are derived from newer, potentially life-saving technology, and they are making their way into consumer’s diets around the world. Genetic modification is the combining of genes to create new organisms. This may be used to develop new crops and foods or to enhance yield, growth, nutritional value, or taste. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are controversial because their safety and consequences are not entirely known, but they come with many benefits. Genetically modified foods are of increased benefit to both farmers and consumers because of their resistance to pests and diseases, economic and environmental advantages, and various health benefits.

To begin with, GMO crops have a superior yield to non-GMOs. The modified genome sequence increases resistance to diseases or pests that can devastate a harvest. An example of a GMO crop is a modified potato that is designed to resist late blight. This product helps farmers use fewer pesticides and decreases the risk of famine. Late blight was the instigator of the Irish Potato Famine, which claimed the lives of over 1 million people due to starvation and other malnourishment-related causes. Thus, countless lives could have been saved from the GMO potato. Regardless, critics claim that GMOs lack regulation, which can be true for some third world countries. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has disputed such claims in a statement they released. The statement reads, “FDA makes sure that foods that are GMOs or have GMO ingredients meet the same strict safety standards as all other foods. FDA sets and enforces food safety standards that those who produce, process, store, ship, or sell food must follow, no matter how the foods are created.” This assertion establishes the fact that both GMOs and non-GMOs follow the same safety standards, hence disproving critics' claims that GMOs lack regulation. Overall, the modified aversion to diseases and pests is of high importance for the successful production of crops, despite others' beliefs in its lack of regulation.

Traditional farming practices have an increased use of pesticides, which are of high cost to farmers and are not environmentally friendly, therefore using GMOs helps to resolve these issues. In addition to the lack of pesticides, GMO products do not require the same necessities as non-GMOs that can have additional environmental tolls. According to PG Economics, there is a reduction in greenhouse gasses when farming GMOs because of “less fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with GM crops.” Moreover, they found in a study that a $150.3 billion profit was achieved through GMOs, and this was distributed nearly equally between farmers in developing and developed countries. The Earth’s climate crisis is in dire need of resolving, fortunately GMOs can help the environment and the farmers. Despite these needed benefits, critics of GMOs believe they can create health complications for individuals. Contradictory to these beliefs, many studies have been done to ensure the safety of GMOs. Megan Norris, a graduate of Harvard University and a doctor specializing in molecular, cellular and organismal biology, states, “...different types of modifications in various crops have been tested, and the studies have found no evidence that GMOs cause organ toxicity or other adverse health effects.” Extensive testing is done on GM products before they are released to consumers to ensure product safety and not put consumers at risk. In summary, not only do GMOs effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic performance, but they do so without negatively impacting the consumer.

Lastly, genetic modification can increase health benefits received from the consumption of the product. Scientists can alter a product’s genetic profile to increase the nutritional value. For example, golden rice is a GMO designed to provide increased vitamin A supplements to children suffering from malnourishment. Mary Gearing, a doctor specializing in biological and biomedical studies and a graduate from Harvard University, reports that golden rice has not only saved approximately 600,000 lives per year in low- and middle-income countries, but a single serving can provide 60% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. This has significantly improved the health outcomes of children globally who suffer from hunger’s silent onslaught. Despite this, critics of GM products argue there is a lack of long term testing that makes consumers prone to unknown health complications. Contradictory to this claim, in a 60-year study by animal genomics expert Alison Van Eenennaam at the University of California, she found “no unexpected perturbations or disturbing trends in animal performance or health indicators” and “the performance and health of GE-fed animals were comparable with those fed near isogenic non-GE lines and commercial varieties.” This long term study disproves the “no long term testing” argument because of the favorable results. All things considered, genetically modified foods can be more nutritional and are trusted by scientists.

In conclusion, reduced pesticide use, economic and environmental advantages, and modified nutrients make GM products beneficial to society. Crops can be modified in ways that increase chances of a good harvest, which helps farmers and feeds consumers. Also, practices used for GMOs are less harmful to the environment and help the economic standing of farmers. Additionally, nutritional value is being increased to combat malnourishment and fight starvation. This is all being done with strict regulations by the FDA, by not inducing the possibility of new health complications and with long term testing. Genetically modified foods have not only improved lives but saved them, and accusations that have repeatedly been disputed should not taint their legacy.