By: Angeli Fetizanan – 10th grade
Each year, many farmers face drought, pests, plant disease, and poor soil. There are more people in the world now who want good food that they can trust. One way science helps with these problems is by using genetically modified organisms, often called GMOs.
Genetically modified organisms can be plants, animals, or smaller living things. Farmers use biotechnology to change the genes in these organisms. Traditional selective breeding means farmers choose the plants or animals that have the traits they want. So, many breed these plants or animals for many generations to get those traits. On the other hand, genetic engineering is not the same, scientists use genetic engineering to change the DNA of plants or animals directly. With genetic engineering, scientists can add traits to plants or animals much faster without going through the lengthy process of selective breeding. For example, certain traits allow crops to fight off insects, allow crops to grow even when herbicides are used, give crops more nutrition, or even allow crops to live through bad weather.
Golden Rice is a prime example of a GMO food. Golden Rice is a subcategory of rice that helps make beta-carotene, which the body uses to turn into vitamin A. Due to a lack of resources for proper nutrition, many people do not get enough vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for the body to have, since not getting enough vitamin A decreases the ability to see, and weakens the immune system. Researchers added more nutrients to rice in order to attempt to combat this issue, so people get better nutrition.
Genetically modified foods are tested thoroughly many times before civilians can buy these foods. In the United States, three main groups set the rules, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency each play a role in the food safety. These agencies ensure food safety, monitor environmental effects, and look for any allergens.
The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization work with countries to make food safe and help countries use biotechnology in food. The World Health Organization claims that the genetically modified foods in stores have passed safety checks, stating that these foods should not cause health problems in people if they go through the right approval steps.
However, many people worry about GMOs even with the rules in place, especially about what will happen to the environment in the future. Some care deeply about the plants and animals around us, while others do not agree with large and influential companies owning seeds. Issues also arise when discussing ethics, and wonder if it is morally correct to change the genes of plants or animals. Due to these concerns, scientists continue looking at these areas to learn more about the risks and the benefits.
Genetically modified organisms have changed the way people farm, as people now use science in new ways in farming to help with food and agricultural issues. Countries implemented rules about how people grow food, which is why the topic of GMOs stays relevant to this day, when delegates talk about food, the environment, or health.
In conclusion, genetically modified organisms are at the heart of modern agriculture and food production. They offer farmers new tools to deal with drought, pests, disease, and poor soil, while also improving the nutritional value of certain foods. At the same time, GMOs are reviewed and regulated carefully by agencies domestically and internationally. Although concerns about environmental impact, corporate control, and ethics remain part of the discussion, ongoing research would likely provide closure in the future. As science advances and issues surrounding food security grow, GMOs remain a significant topic in agriculture.
