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A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are generally known as recombinant DNA technology. With recombinant DNA technology, DNA molecules from different sources are combined in vitro into one molecule to create a new gene. This DNA is then transferred into an organism and causes the expression of modified or novel traits.

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods produced from GMO that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola cotton seed oil and wheat.


2008-11-03

Fruits and Vegetables Are Good For You-At Least For Now  

bodies bananas, which produce human vaccines against hepatitis B or fish that mature 2 times as fast as they do now. With the genetic modification or "Biotechnology", these possibilities are all over the world scientific horizon.

What is Genetic Modification Anyway?

The transfer of a gene from one organism to another is called genetic engineering. The characteristic that the gene is responsible for the Engineered in the cells of another organism. The future of vaccines, antibiotics and food security is mainly in the arms of genetic transplants scientifically known as transgenics.

According to the Human Genome Project in 2003 on 167 million hectares in 18 countries around seven million farmers have been using transgenic crops. Basically, these cultures were insecticide and herbicide-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton and canola. Other cultures, which are grown rice with an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) to alleviate the common issue of blindness in developing countries as well as tobacco and potato plants seedlings, which are able to tolerate because of unexpected frost their introduction to an antifreeze gene from cold water fish.

Genetically modified organisms dispute

In 2003, the U.S. grew 63% of the world's transgenic crops. Although the proponents of this technology offers dramatic promises to use our food to combat the greatest health challenges of our century, their opponents, particularly the Organic Consumers Association, believe there is a child of science with infinite health risks? Both known and unknown. They believe that, in contrast to defective tires, once these crops are released into the environment, they can never be recalled.

pros ...

Many advocates of genetic modification argue that GM:

Strengthens nutrition and the quality of life for people around the world.

Activates cultures to taste better and contain more nutrients and reduce growing time.

Activates organisms that have a greater resistance to disease, pests and chemicals.

Improves Animal Health.

reduced the use of pesticides, increase the conservation of soil, water and energy.

benefits companies due to increased food security for growing populations.

Cons ...

Genetic Modification opponents come from all sides. Many environmental activists, religious organizations, professional associations, public interest groups and other scientists and government representatives are resistant to this growing area. They argue against GM because:

The potential risk to human health: allergens, antibiotic resistance and the possible development of a chronic illness and terminal after years of exposure? In essence, too many unknowns.

The domination of world food production by a handful of companies, which ultimately lead to a greater dependence on the developed countries through the development.

The question of ethics: the manipulation of nature by mixing genes among and between species.

The FDA, USDA, EPA and other governmental bodies are so complex, how they do business, that the labeling rules could slip through the cracks, which means that many people perhaps do not know whether the food they buy is natural or not. Genetically modified products May never be labeled as such leaving the consumers no choice, not to know that they eat a food that is anything but self-evident.

We all know that technology comes with a price. GMOs are no exception. The inner question is: What price are we willing to pay for the necessities and luxuries technology offers?

 

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher, More information about Health and Supplements available at: Sea Health Plus from Dr. Sears

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Joseph

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