GMO's Advancing the Market
GMOs Advancing the Market
Genetically Modified Organisms, more commonly known as GMO’s, are new technology that some people run from and others stand firmly behind. GMOs refer to plants or animals and other microorganisms in which their genes are altered for purposes like increased growth, improved nutritional value, or increased resistance to insects among others. “The common method used in modifying or altering the genes of a particular organism is called recombinant DNA technology” (qwhatis). In crops like corn, bacterial genes are introduced to enhance growth and make the plant grow bigger. Genetic modification is also intended to make the corn resistant to certain insects, pests, and herbicides. This will help farmers increase yield and less corn will be wasted. “B.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. B.t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer” (csa). GMOs are complicated but they can make a huge difference in being able to feed our growing population. GMOs did not just appear recently, they have been developing for a long period of time, and the first genetic modifications to plants were being made over a century ago.
While genetic manipulation of foods can be traced throughout history, the modern marvels of GMOs and transgenic plants have come to light in just the last few decades (globalchange). The 1980’s marked the scientific discovery that specific pieces of DNA could be transferred from one organism to another (Cramer, 2001), creating the basis of the genetic modification process. In 1983, the first transgenic plant, a tobacco plant resistant to anti-biotics was created (Cramer, 2001). Then, genetically engineered cotton was successfully field tested in 1990. Five years later, Monsanto the United States leading biotech company, introduced
Genetically Modified Organisms, more commonly known as GMO’s, are new technology that some people run from and others stand firmly behind. GMOs refer to plants or animals and other microorganisms in which their genes are altered for purposes like increased growth, improved nutritional value, or increased resistance to insects among others. “The common method used in modifying or altering the genes of a particular organism is called recombinant DNA technology” (qwhatis). In crops like corn, bacterial genes are introduced to enhance growth and make the plant grow bigger. Genetic modification is also intended to make the corn resistant to certain insects, pests, and herbicides. This will help farmers increase yield and less corn will be wasted. “B.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. B.t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer” (csa). GMOs are complicated but they can make a huge difference in being able to feed our growing population. GMOs did not just appear recently, they have been developing for a long period of time, and the first genetic modifications to plants were being made over a century ago.
While genetic manipulation of foods can be traced throughout history, the modern marvels of GMOs and transgenic plants have come to light in just the last few decades (globalchange). The 1980’s marked the scientific discovery that specific pieces of DNA could be transferred from one organism to another (Cramer, 2001), creating the basis of the genetic modification process. In 1983, the first transgenic plant, a tobacco plant resistant to anti-biotics was created (Cramer, 2001). Then, genetically engineered cotton was successfully field tested in 1990. Five years later, Monsanto the United States leading biotech company, introduced
Cited: History of Genetically Modified Foods." History of Genetically Modified Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/workspace/sect008/s8g5/his tory.htm Naam, Ramez. "Why GMOs Matter - Especially for the Developing World." Grist. N.p., 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. http://grist.org/food/why-gmos-do-matter-and-even-more-to-the- developing-world/ Phillips, P.W.B., & Corkindale, D. (2002). Marketing GM foods: The way forward. AgBioForum, 5(3), 113- 121. Available on the World Wide Web: http://www.agbioforum.org. Whitman, Deborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? N.p., Apr. 2000. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php 1. http://grist.org/food/why-gmos-do-matter-and-even-more-to-the-developing-world/ 2. http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php 3. http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/workspace/sect008/s8g5/history.htm 4. http://www.agbioforum.org/v5n3/v5n3a06-phillips.htm