GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

Genetically modified foods; good or bad or neutral?

Genetically modified foods; good or bad or neutral?

Introduction

The main purpose of this paper is to make a review on the effect of genetically modified food on the human health. Genetically modified organisms (GMO, genetically modified organism, GMO) are created through genetic engineering (genetic engineering) - science that allows you to enter into the genome of plant, animal or microorganism DNA fragment from any other body to give it certain properties (Aldrich1, 998). For example, tomatoes have received the gene from Arctic flounder frost, potato gene was bacteria, whose venom is fatal to the Colorado potato beetle, and rice was the human gene responsible for the composition of human milk, which makes the cereal more nutritious (Ash, 2004).

Discussion

Genetic modification is the process of artificially transferring information specific to a type of organism to another, for example, in a fish to a tomato, an animal or a plant. One has to agree with the article published in the journal Science 1 that there are many opinions but few data available about the potential risks of GM food crops, although these risks have been examined and eliminated before its introduction. The database currently available is woefully inadequate. Moreover, the scientific quality of what is published is, in most cases, below the expected standards (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2004). Through genetic modification of food scientists can now modify the genetic code of plants to create other types of living organisms. According to scientists, the goal of this process is the ability of plants to increase production while improving the taste and quality of the crop at the same time. Experimental creation of genetically modified organisms began in the 70s of XX century. In 1992, China began to grow tobacco resistant to pesticides (Ash, 2004).

This is a controversial issue. Supporters of GMO claim that genetic engineering will save the world's growing population from starvation, because genetically modified plants may exist on less fertile soils and provide a rich harvest, and then stored for a long time.

This policy generally affirms the safety of recombinant DNA technology, promotes the proper regulation to guide development and ensure safety, and advocates for the education of both physicians and consumers on issues related to agricultural biotechnology. In the Appendix you can find the full text.

For many, the issue of genetic engineering is a moral character. Scientific interest in pushing the geneticist to create such mutants increased, such as glowing in the dark bunny, who by the jellyfish gene for fluorescence (Institute of Food Technologists, 2000). Many people believe these experiments on the nature of violence. The British scientist Arpad Pusztay (Arpad Pusztai) approached the issue of transgenic products (transgenic) from a scientific point of view. He experimented by giving the rats feed transgenic potatoes. Based on his observations, scientists have found that consumption of this product had a negative impact on the immune system of rats, caused abnormal changes of the intestine, liver, ...