Gene Engineered Food

Introduction

It can be rightly said that biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field, which became a major reason for providing the mankind with the ability to reduce world hunger, along with that it can also be used to decrease pesticides and herbs. The genetic modification of plants and animals have the potential to revolutionize the way society organizes its production and distribution of food, fibre and feeds. This paper attempts to focus on the idea of genetically engineered food in a holistic context (Green, pp.12-15). It provides both aspects of the idea being studied and attempts to compare the benefits and the drawbacks of genetically engineered food. This paper is written in the format of a rogerian essay in which we will present the views of people. People who are in favor of this technology and the people who are against this technology due to the consequences associated with this technology. This paper focuses on the idea of presenting both the sides of the studied topic and, in the end we will provide the solutions for tackling these problems in the future (Freedman, pp. 34-37).

Discussion

Gene engineered foods, are also known as the genetically modified foods. In terms of latest ventures of the technology known as genetic engineering. These types of food items are made by the insertion of genes of various species through their DNA. Although, these types of genetic modifications have previously been used in animals and plants. There are wide ranges of reason behind the development of such food items. Many scientists say that there is a need for modifying the food items for the prevention of certain amount allergies after the consumption of the food items. Some scientists suggest that these food items are developed for improving the shelf life of the food items. Along, with that it is also said that many scientists are working on the development of such food items which posses the ability for curing a wide range of diseases. Many food items which are available in the market today include, canola, soybeans, strawberries, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, cotton, cantaloupe and many more. However, many developers suggest that there are an extensive amounts of advantages of genetically modified food items, but along with that there is a fair bit of population that are against the development of such food items. This has become the reason of a raging debate between group of scientists and people, as one group suggests this is beneficial for the humanity while the other side sees them as a threat for the future generations, who will be deprived of eating natural vegetable and fruits (Rees, pp.101-103).

Historical Perspective regarding genetically engineered food

Modem science has verified that all the plants, which are grown for the human consumption or for satisfying the feeding needs of animals, have actually evolved from the ancient ancestral beginnings. An extensive amount of researches published on the topic of plant science also reveal the occurrence of natural crossings between plant species as ...