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Cristian Dominguez
Professor Collins
ENGL 1301
31 October 2016
The Potential Foods of the Future
Despite all of the recent technology, hunger still remains as a big problem in todays world. A
suggestion that has been brought up countless times is genetically modified food. Genetically
modified food is food that has been modified through genetics in order to give it a positive effect.
According to an article by Rich, Matthew, "The Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops In The
United States: Reassessment Of Notions Of Harm, Difference, And Choice.", genetic
modification means that a segment of DNA of one organism is extracted and spliced into
another organisms DNA. In this case, certain traits of one organism are being taken and
combined into the genes of a crop or animal. Usually the genes being carried over to the plant or
animal are helpful traits that would benefit the crop or animal (Matthew). Genetically modified
food has become an important debate because the benefits that come with it and the potential
risks are both equally supported viewpoints.
Supporters of genetically modified food believe that genetic engineering can increase the
nutritive value of a crop. In an article titled "Genetically Modified Crops." which is backed up by
research from agricultural specialists Nayak Laxmikanta et al, say that almost 15 million
women and children suffer from vitamin A deficiency.. Scientists are able to modify crops to
contain more nutritional value. By being able to genetically modify, scientists were able to create
a rice variety containing up to twenty percent more protein. Similarly iron rich genetically
modified rice along with various other bio fortified crops are also under development (Nayak et

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al). This means that with more nutritional crops, people can consume more of the nutrients they
need and could also help solve malnourishment issues. This would be a logical benefit that many
supporters would agree on.
Supporters of genetically modified food also believe that genetic engineering can develop
abiotic resistant crops. Abiotic stress are undesirable effects of non-living factors such as
weather, on living organisms and it is said to have a major impact on crops. Tests have concluded
that by applying a compound called Glycine Betaine to potato cultivars improved their ability to
withstand cold climate and showed that a certain amount of the compound to unhardened
strawberry plants increased their cold resistant abilities as well (Nayak et al). Scientists have also
found drought resistant genes in tomatoes that could be useful for future enhancements (Nayak et
al). This means that by applying certain genes from other plants and bacteria to the crops,
scientists can develop crops resistant to climate and extreme weather conditions such as drought
and low temperatures. The result of this would be the increase of production efficiency and a
benefit that many supporters would strongly agree.
As genetically modified food has its supporters, other people argue that it has potential
risks. Non-supporters would argue that genetically modified food would result in the creation of
genetically engineered enhanced weeds and pests. Enhanced weeds and enhanced pests are
weeds and pests that are resistant to herbicide and pesticide. According to the article Genetically
Modified Crops, the emergence of the enhanced weeds are already being reported as genetically
engineered herbicide resistant crops naturally infect nearby weeds with their resistant traits. Lab
tests have also shown that common plant pests coexisting with the genetically engineered crops
would develop into the enhanced pests making them immune to pesticides (Nayak et al). This
would create a serious problem for organic farmers as they will soon be helpless to defend

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against the increasing hordes of pesticide resistant weeds and pests. The potential risk of these
enhanced pests and weeds remains as a reason why people do not want genetically modified
foods or the support for them.
Non-supporters also say that genetically modified food poses socio-economic hazards.
Studies say the patenting of genetically modified foods and wide spread bio tech food production
will have the potential to eliminate farming as it has been practiced for 12,000 years.
Genetically engineered patents will make farmers who save their seeds to buy the pricier
genetically engineered seeds. Eventually the patenting of transgenic plants and food-producing
animals will soon leave farmers leasing their plants and animals from biotech conglomerates and
pay heavily on seeds and offspring. Farmers and agriculture families will be forced to move and
consumers food choices will be controlled by corporations (Nayak et al). This would result in
rural communities being broken and cause farmers and agriculture workers to lose their jobs. The
socio-economic threat that genetically modified food could bring is an important reason why
people continue to disagree and not support genetically modified food.
People argue over the benefits and potential risks that come with genetically modified
food. The both equally supported viewpoints prove to be a controversial debate. Supporters
acknowledge that genetically modified food can lead to higher nutritive food and abiotic resistant
crops that could possibly solve world hunger. While non-supporters stress that genetically
engineered crops will lead to the creation of pesticide resistant pests and weeds as well as pose
socio-economic hazards that could ruin the lives of farmers and agriculture workers. The two
sides both hold their own thoughts and present equally supported evidence that cannot outweigh
one another and leaves genetically modified food as an important undecided debate.

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Works Cited
Nayak, Laxmikanta, et al. "Genetically Modified Crops." Agricultural Reviews 32.2 (2011): 112119. Academic Search Complete. Accessed. 12 Oct. 2016.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=63030689&site=ehost-live

Rich, Matthew. "The Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops In The United States:
Reassessment Of Notions Of Harm, Difference, And Choice." Case Western Reserve
Law Review 54.3 (2004): 889. MasterFILE Premier. Accessed. 12 Oct. 2016.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=14263953&site=ehost-live