English Blog: Term 2 Week 4

Why are GM or genetically modified foods such a controversy in the world today? Are they truly dangerous or are people being overly cautious? Discuss.
GM or genetically modified foods is controversial for many reasons and I feel that it is because they are truly dangerous. Better be cautious than sorry. In this world and age, with the advancements in research and technology, nothing is impossible to create. GM is gaining a lot of attention.GM are made from organisms that have been given specific traits through genetic engineering. A quick visit to the supermarket and you will discover many GM food products ranging from soybean, corn, potato to animal products like a breed of pig that are better able to absorb plant phoshorus so that the phosphorus content of their manure is reduced by 60%.
While GM may seem a convenience way of producing many products to serve the growing world population, there have been many objections due to safety issues, ecological concerns , economic concerns and ethical concerns.
GM is inherently unpredictable and dangerous for humans, animals, the environment, and for the future of sustainable and organic agriculture. It has resulted in the unexpected production of toxic substances in genetically engineered bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals with many problems still remaining undetected. It has the potential to be toxic and a threat to human health. For example, a type of GM potatoes are found to damage vital organs and immune systems of lab rats. New toxins are being produced as manipulations of genes get more complex.
Another GE recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) -- injected into dairy cows could pose serious hazards for human breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Fatal allergies were found in a Brazil nut gene spliced into soybeans where mild unpleasantness to sudden death could occur. Studies have also shown that GM food will likely result in foods lower in quality and nutrition.
The negativity associated with GM are endless…... People who ate GE food may increasingly become antibiotic resistance. There is increased pesticide residues in the soil and on crops. Wind, rain, birds, bees, and insect pollinators have begun carrying genetically-altered pollens and polluting the DNA of crops of organic and non-GM farmers. GM crops are adversely affecting the beneficial insects and soil mirco-organisms. GM crops that are herbicide-resistant are in turn creating superpests and superweeds. GE soil bacteria to resist viruses can cause the viruses to mutate into new, more virulent forms. The invasions of superior GM plants into the environment are creating ego imbalance. With GM foods and widespread biotech food production, farming and agricultural jobs are being eliminated and many will lose their livelihoods. Finally, we faced the Ethical issue with the cruelty inherent in experimentation associated with testing on live animals. Animals genetically engineered for use in laboratories, such as the infamous "Harvard mouse" which contains a human cancer-causing gene that will be passed down to all succeeding generations, were created to suffer.
Thus GM foods are really dangerous and more awareness and studies need to be given. So go with the proposition. GM Food can be hazardous and a threat to our entire Earth.