pros & cons on gmo

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The Pros & Cons of Genetically Modified FoodThe term genetically modified foods is most commonly used to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants are modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits can be undertaken through traditional breeding but conventional plant breeding methods are time consuming and are not effective always. Genetic engineering, on the other hand can create plants to the desired traits very rapidly and with accuracy. For example, plant geneticists can isolate a gene responsible for draught tolerance and insert that gene in to a different plant. Thus the new genetically modified plant gains draught tolerance. Not only genes can be transferred from one plant to another, but genes from non-plant organism also can be used. Though this kind of genetic modification is used both in plants and animals, it is found more commonly in the former than in the later. There are many advantages as well as disadvantages also in genetically modified foods.Genetically modified foods grow faster than the foods that are grown in traditional manner for which the productivity is more. As usual normal crops grow only in the season and climatic condition favorable for it but genetically modified foods can be cultivated in unfavorable climatic condition. The seeds of the genetically modified foods are expensive than the seeds of traditional crops but the cost of production of such food is lesser than that of the traditional crops.Genetically modified foods are more nutrients and contain more vitamins and minerals than the traditionally cultivated food. It is also believed that the genetically modified food has a better taste. People like genetically modified foods because they do not get rotten quickly than the traditional foods.The most advantage of this genetically modified food is they help in controlling many diseases. There are some foods that cause allergy when consumed. By modifying DNA system of these foods, the properties that cause allergy are eliminated successfully.Modern days farmers prefer to cultivate genetically modified food because they get more crops, can grow the crops in any climatic conditions and do not use tons of pesticides annually as consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with pesticides due to health hazards. These crops do not rot quickly for which the farmers get more profit.Genetic modified crops are more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing losses and lessening the dependence on pesticides. For example, a gene that gives resistance to a fungal infection in a wild plant can be inserted into a food plant that lacks this protection. The crop is then less susceptible to fungal infection.There are many viruses and bacteria which plant diseases. Scientists or the plant biologists are working to create plants which can resist to these diseases. Unexpected cold can destroy sensitive seedlings. An anti freeze gene induced into plants can help the plant to tolerate unexpected cold. By this the production of the crop will not be destroyed.The biggest disadvantage of genetically modified food is that they can harm the human body. According to many experts, people consuming such genetically modified foods have more chances of developing cancer. The consumption of these foods also causes the development of many diseases which are immune to antibiotics. These foods are the inventions of this modern world, and much is not known about their long term effect on human beings. Though the disadvantages of these foods are not known, lot of people prefers to stay away from these foods.Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops could give rise to super-weeds and super-pests that could require powerful chemicals to destroy them.Many genetically modified companies do not level their products as being GM foods. Not leveling the product is unfair as the consumer should have the right to know what they are buying and to decide whether they want to buy GM food or not. Some people also have moral and religious objections in taking genetically modified food.The planting of herbicides-resistant crops might encourage farmers to use weed killers more frequently. As a result the excess use could be carried away by rain fall to pollute ponds, rivers and other water ways. These chemicals may poison fish, wild animals, plants and even drinking water also.The advantages of GM foods are very tempting but the disadvantages cannot be ruled out.

Second Article Proponents Claim That There are Many Advantages: Crops are more productive and have a larger yield. Could potentially offer more nutrition and flavor (although this is debated). A possibility that they could eliminate allergy-causing properties in some foods. Inbuilt resistance to pests, weeds and disease. More capable of thriving in regions with poor soil or adverse climates. More environment friendly as they require less herbicides and pesticides. Foods are more resistant and stay ripe for longer so they can be shipped long distances or kept on shop shelves for longer periods. As more GMO crops can be grown on relatively small parcels of land, they are an answer to feeding growing world populations. Corporations insist that: Genetically modified foods are safe. Changing a few genes here and there does not make a crop toxic or dangerous. Why shouldn't we alter nature to meet our needs? There are many natural organisms that human beings have transformed to serve their purpose. slide 3 of 4Critics Cite the Dangers of GMO Scientists can choose which genes to manipulate, but they don't yet know where in the DNA to precisely insert these genes and they have no way of controlling gene expression. Genes don't work in isolation, changing a few could change the whole picture, with unpredictable results. The use of genetically modified food should not be encouraged without research into the risks. Not labeling is wrong and unfair to the consumers who should have the right to know what they are buying so they can decide for themselves whether they want to buy the food or not. Even if health safety factors are not an issue, some people might have moral or religious objections. They should not have to eat GMOs if they don't want to. Genetically modified crops pose a risk to food diversity as the plants are much more dominant. Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops could give rise to super-weeds and super-pests that would need newer, stronger chemicals to destroy them. GMO crops cross-pollinate with nearby non-GMO plants and could create ecological problems. If this were to happen with GMO foods containing vaccines, antibiotics, contraceptives and so on, it would very well turn into a human health nightmare. The claim of ending world hunger with GMOs is false. World hunger is not caused by a shortage of food production, but by sheer mismanagement, and lack of access to food brought about by various social, financial and political causes. GMO technology companies patent their crops and also engineer crops so that harvested grain germs are incapable of developing. This is not empowering to impoverished Third World farmers, who cannot save seeds for replanting and have to buy expensive seeds from the companies every year. The new technology also interferes with traditional agricultural methods which may be more suited to local environments. GMOs are not the answer to world hunger and health. Instead we should focus on improving organic agricultural practices which are kinder to the earth and healthier for humans. There are many more questions about genetically modified food that can only be answered through time, research and experience. What side of the argument do you fall on? slide 4 of 4Additional Resources:Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms: What Malaysians Should Know About GMOs, and GMO Labelling in MalaysiaWhat are GMOs?

Genetically modified cornAccording to the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, GMO (or genetically modified organism)is defined to be an organism in which the genetic material has been changed through modern biotechnology in a way that it does not occur naturally by multiplication or natural recombination or both.While humans have traditionally tried to cultivate better crops with methods such as cross-pollination or cross breeding, genetically modifying organisms involve manipulating the genes of the organism directly. Genetic modification is often done through the insertion of a foreign gene from another species, creating what is called a transgenic plant or animal. Common transgenic plants include corn, soybeans, and cotton; transgenic animals are less widespread but include pigs, sheep and cattle.GMOs bring important implications for human health and the environment. The debate for and against GMOs has been raging for years. The proponents of GMOs argue that genetically engineered crops are more resilient and have a higher yield, introduce fewer pesticides to the environment, and pose no real threat to human health. Genetic engineering is also able to bring about desired traits in organisms at a much quicker pace, while traditional farming would need several years to reach the same (or weaker) outcome.On the other side of the fence, opposing voices argue that insufficient research on the topic means that the consequences of consuming GM food are largely unknown.The unnatural introduction of genes from another species may cause allergens to spread into non-allergenic food, increased antibiotic resistance, or increased toxicity. Genes extracted from animals (to be inserted into plants) raise ethical, religious and health concerns. With regards to the environment, GMOs threaten bio-diversity through contaminating non-GMO crops (through interbreeding), and creating superweeds or superpests that are resistant towards pesticides developed for widely cultivated GMOs. According to the Malaysian Organic Scheme, GMOs (and products derived from GMOs) cannot be used in any aspect of organic production and handling. There is no exception to this rule.Information from both sides of the debate is readily available on the Internet. For those who are interested, the American Radioworksprovides a fairly well balanced overview of the arguments.GMO Labelling in MalaysiaWithout taking one side or the other of the GMO debate, it is a consumer right to have more information about what you are buying and consuming. Malaysia is one of 64 countries in the world that mandate labelling on GM food. After reading through the guidelines on GMO labelling, we present to you some quick facts:What are the regulations? The regulatory framework with regards to GMOs covers pre-market approval, enforcement, and post-market monitoring. The related laws are: Biosafety Act 2007 (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, NRE) to regulate the release, importation, exportation and contained use of LMOs (Living Modified Organisms), and the release of products of such organisms. Food Regulations 1985, amended in 2010 (Ministry of Health, MOH) to enforce GMO labelling.How does the label look like?

Single ingredient product

Single ingredient product, gene derived from animal

Multiple ingredient product The labelling requirements shall only apply to the three main ingredients in the ingredient list. For GMOs that have genes derived from animals and ingredients that have been known to cause allergies, the label will have to state the origin of the gene, like: gene derived from (origin).What are not labelled?The product will not be labelled when GMO content is not more than 3% of the food ingredients, provided that this presence is adventitious [i.e. by chance] or technically unavoidable.Exempted products include: Highly refined foods e.g. refined oil, plant sterol, boiled sweet, sugar, corn syrup, honey and dextrin (other than that with altered characteristics). When novel DNA and/or novel protein is not present in the final food: Processing aids and food additives (e.g. dextrin). Acidic foods (e.g. pickles and vinegar). Salty foods (e.g. soy sauce). Food from animals fed with GM animal feed (e.g. meat, milk, eggs). Foods produced from fermentation using GMM (Genetically Modified Microorganisms) not present in the final products (e.g. vitamins, amino acid). Foods produced with GM enzyme (e.g. cheese, bakery products produced with amylase).However, products will not be exempted when the gene is derived from animal products and substances that cause hypersensitivity. Highly refined foods with altered characteristics (i.e. they have different characteristics from the same ingredient that has not been genetically modified, in terms of nutritional value, toxicity or allergenic properties) will not be exempted as well.The labelling logic can be understood from these flowcharts:

Flow chart for single ingredient product

Flow chart for multiple ingredient product When will the regulations on GMO labelling be enforced?The regulations will be enforced in July 2014.It is important for the public to be aware of the regulations on GMOs, and the enforcement date. The enforcement date of GMO labelling has been delayed once already, from July 2012 to July 2014. When public awareness is low, it is easy for lobbyists to push for extensions over and over again, causing the enforcement of the regulation to be indefinitely delayed.Join us this Saturday at CETDEMs Hari Organik and learn more about GMOs (see event here). Magaeswari Sangaralingam from Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) will be there to talk about potential threats of GMOs.References:1. Guidelines on labelling of foods and food ingredients obtained through modern biotechnology, by Ministry of Healthy Malaysia2. Presentation slides from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, in MIFT Seminar Genetically Modified Foods held in UKM Bangi3. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service GAIN Report (8/9/2011)4. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service GAIN Report (7/6/2013)5. Skim Organik Malaysia(2007)

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