What Are GMOs? (Genetically Modified Organism)

Q: What Are GMOs?

A: GMO is short for genetically modified organisms. The most common application of this term relates to food production on the farms and plots. This may include crops and livestock which are later converted into processed foods and meat that humans consume. The modification of the plant or livestock is usually done to the seed in order to influence the quality and quantity of what is finally produced.

The actual scientific process of creating GMO involves looking for best traits in certain seeds and mixing them with others making a hybrid seed with special qualities. This is essentially cross-breeding that is done in the laboratory.

Q: Why Are They Necessary?

A: GMOs are often justified because of their ability to "positively" influence production outcomes. They give much control to human beings taking it away from nature. For example, by genetically modifying crop seed, scientists are able to produce a drought resistant crop that can adjust to climate change. This is said to help alleviate climate change induced food shortages.

Scientists are also able to manipulate the genetics of a crop seed causing more to be produced with less. This might mean a small portion of land producing much more than was previously possible with ordinary seed. This ensures food security were land is limited, for example.

Q: What Are The Dangers Of GMOs

A: First and foremost the most worrisome dangers of GMOs pertain to human health. For a very long time there has been debate around the overall effects of genetically modified crops on humans. Some countries have even gone as far as legislating against GMO foods.

It has been observed that chickens, for example, that are feed GMO chicken feed tend to have a lot of fat. In fact these chickens can grow very much bigger than the other birds feed with ordinary feed. This negatively impacts healthy eating in humans leading to possibly high cholesterol levels in regular consumers. Bad cholesterol known as LDL is responsible for heart disease and hypertension amongst other chronic diseases.

GMO crops in particular may also become insect resistant, produce resistant weeds and higher levels of plant estrogens. These have long-term negative health benefits.

Q: What Is American Government Policy On Labeling GMOs?

A: The main concern amongst many people is that the FDA does not make it compulsory for GMO foods to be labeled as such. This makes it extremely difficult to avoid them even if you wanted to. As a result many people are turning to organic food on the local farmers market which in a bid to eating only foods grown naturally. America is also at loggerheads with some of its international trading partners who insist on GMO foods imported from America being labeled as such.

Aurther Shoko