Literature Review

Throughout history, farmers have been known to genetically alter vegetables and
food products. The food industry genetically modified products for many reasons. For
example, it could be to enhance nutrition or even just for insect protection. Genetically
Modified Organisms have always known to be extremely unhealthy and to cause health
issues. For years, products that are NON-GMO have been considered to be healthier
and to promise communities better wellness. Many have always wondered if organic or
NON GMO products are actually good for them. The main questions are; What are the
risks of consuming GMO products? The benefits to humans and the process of
genetically modifying organisms? We will conduct our research in modified plants and
the process it carries for the “new” plant that will be consumed.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) also known as “Transgenic Organisms”

are the result of the laboratory process called “Genetic Engineering” and or “Genetic
Modification”. GMO’s are organisms that are altered by these methods. Genetic
engineering physically removes the DNA from one organism and transfers the DNA into
another organism in this process only the desired traits of one organism will be passed
onto the other. Scientist use viruses or bacteria to “infect” the plant cells with the new
DNA. They can also coat the DNA onto tiny metal pellets and fire it with a special gun
into the organism reaching its cells. They also inject the new DNA into fertilized eggs
with a very fine needle. Lastly, they may also use electric shocks to create holes in the
membrane, and then forcing the new DNA into the sperm through these holes. This
process can be very long at times, depending on how the plant takes the new DNA
best. The process usually takes six to 15 years in some cases it can take even longer
just to create a new transgenic hybrid that is ready to be grown in the production fields.
This is a very difficult process and can be seen as unnatural. This process can be
harmful to the human boy, what might be those risks?
 All food contains nutrients but do GMO products contain all the ones that
we get from natural foods? The body cannot function if one or more nutrients are
missing. Food is made up of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. In the body we
must have a certain amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat (Healthy and balanced
nutrition is important for everyone, 2018). But these nutrients have been modified, The
Genetic Modified Organisms (GMO) is the result of a one species to be modified and
forced into a plant or animal different from their species. This process has changed from
traditional breeding which carries major risks. When the DNA from one organism is
forced into the other, diverse methods include; using bacteria or virus to infect plant
cells or animals injecting the new DNA into fertilized eggs creating a change for the
organisms.
This process has been already modified and changes the original nutrient of the animal
(Smith, J. (2003). The GE Process). The primarily products that humans consume are
GM which can create allergies, toxicity, antibiotic resistance, and decreased nutrition.
Allergies affect 5% of children and 2% of adults, this occurs when a new substance is
consumed by the human and stimulates the immune response. Plants produce
substances that are toxic to the human. This happens through the process of inserting
the "new" gene, this can cause the plant to alter its substance and produce higher levels
of toxins. This method has been observed through breeding methods. For example,
potato have higher levels of glycoalkaloids, (Cantwell, M. 1996, A Review of Important
Facts about Potato Glycoalkaloids) that contribute to high levels of concentrations.
Decreased Nutritional Value, these animals and plant have been inserted with a new
DNA and this causes to have less nutrients than its original value. One example is
phytate, a compound in seeds and grains that bind with minerals and decrease the
nutrient (Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), 2003). The Non-GMO Project is an
organization that protects, educates consumers about the product that have been
modified and this project builds products with the Non-GMO in which many products
have been labeled, stating they are not modified products (Shindelar, C. Gravitz, A. &
Potter, M. The Non-GMO Project). This organization carries foods that have their
original nutrients. Although there are lots of disadvantages to GMO products some
people believe that they can be beneficial to mankind. Can this be so?

There are many benefits to GMO products that contribute to helping farmers and
consumers and the earth and economy. GMO products have been around since 1994
and every day someone is coming up with efficient and safe ways to create these
types of products. Roughly 75% of processed foods contain GMO products. These
types of products have been on the shelves for almost two decades already. GMO
products are very beneficial to farmers. These products have a higher resistance to
diseases and pests which means farms do not have to worry about crops going to
waste, lots of farms arrogate so this will keep them from wasting water on crops that will
go bad. Farmers do not have to worry about pouring chemicals into the plants soil to
keep them from getting sick and to keep pests from contaminating or eating them, with
this those chemicals can seep into the soil and can sometimes leak into the water that is
located under ground. No pests means less pesticides so farmers do not have to spend
money on things that are no longer a necessity. Crops can be genetically modified to
help them withstand extreme weather conditions, good land that can be used for
farming is scarce because most of it is going towards building new homes due to the
vast growth in population. Farmers have a faster output of crops, which can help the
financial system more products means more money coming in and going out. Humans
are the consumers when it comes to GMO products, these types of foods can benefit
humans in many ways. Taste is very important when it comes to sales, no consumer
wants to buy something that does not taste good. Increased nutrients is a gigantic plus
to being tasty, humans need nutrients in order to function properly without any
problems, with the GMO products you get the best of both worlds, food that is going to
benefit you and taste super good. Earlier i said that it keeps farmers from pouring
pesticides on crops this means less pesticides that contain chemicals that may be
harmful for human consumption. This also means new products and everyone loves
new things and new flavors. GMO’s are very beneficial for the earth. GMO products
require less time, tools, and chemicals, and may help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, soil erosion, and environmental pollution. Less deforestation is a plus from
GMO since crops grow at a faster rate, they do not need as much land to produce great
amounts of produce. Oxygen in the environment is increased since these plants work at
a faster rate the intake carbon dioxide a lot faster and release more oxygen.

27 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Foods. (2015,

July 24). Retrieved March 11, 2018, from https://connectusfund.org/27-big-advantages-
and-disadvantages-of-genetically-modified-foods

Emery, E. C., Jr., & Reynolds, M. (2015, March 25). Sen. Donna Nesselbush:
three quarters of processed foods have genetically modified organisms. Retrieved
March 11, 2018, from http://www.politifact.com/rhode-
island/statements/2015/mar/22/donna-nesselbush/sen-donna-nesselbush-three-
quarters-processed-food/

Vaesa, J. (2013, July 19). GMOs: Benefits and Negative Effects of Genetically
Modified Food. Retrieved March 11, 2018, from https://www.decodedscience.org/gmo-
food-pro-and-con/23179

Powell, C. (2015, August 9). How to Make a GMO. Retrived March 11, 2018,
from http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/how-to-make-a-gmo/

University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (2001). Overview of the Process of Plant Genetic

Engineering. Retrieved March 11, 2018, from
http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm

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