Introduction
Agriculture and cultivating plant products for consumption should be associated with organic products, organic plants, and meat. Often, growers will tamper with the genetic makeup of their produce to ensure better growth and higher yields. This has some advantages; as such, genetically modified food can significantly solve hunger and improve food taste. However, scientists have long had specific concerns about how safe genetically modified food is. Many studies have shown that genetically modified food has many positive aspects and can be used for consumption.
Definition
It is necessary to determine what genetically modified products are to understand in detail how they can affect the human body and whether they can cause harm. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be created by altering their gene structure using gene editing techniques (Rozas et al., 9). Thus, this process allows for significant changes in agricultural plants.
For example, this can be useful to ensure crops are unattractive to insects that can harm crops. To do this, particular genes are implanted into the gene structure of plants that provide them with protection. This can positively affect the amount of harvest and how much easier it becomes to care for the crops. Using pesticides that might otherwise enter the human body is also unnecessary.
Concerns and Scientific Evidence
Some people are skeptical about genetically modified foods because they fear the potential health risks that GMOs can cause. However, to date, no scientific studies have proven that GMO foods can cause any harm. The safety of genetically modified products has been confirmed by many sanitary and epidemiological authorities, which makes it possible to assume that they are harmless for consumption. According to a report by the Center for Food Safety, the World Health Organization (WHO) ruled that genetically modified foods currently on the market are not dangerous to humans. Risk assessment is an essential aspect of any product that enters the market, and ensuring that the food is not dangerous is a significant advantage for GMO food.
Another note is that genetically modified crops can have unintended consequences for natural diversity and flora. Some ecosystems may respond unexpectedly to the appearance of unique cults that have not previously been found in nature due to their altered genes. Therefore, before monetizing any culture and allowing its use, it is crucial to conduct the necessary tests to identify potential side effects.
However, suppose all plants undergo such rigorous selection. In that case, it may not be correct to say that genetically modified plants can harm humans or the environment. Regulatory frameworks are in place to ensure that unverified plant species that could harm humans or the environment do not enter the open environment.
Safety and Utility
Various studies and evaluations have been conducted on GMO products to ensure they do not harm the body. Thus, people can use genetically modified products without health concerns. Studies on genetically modified foods have evaluated them on several aspects, such as allergenicity, nutrient composition, and toxicity. Thus, most scientists have concluded that such food products are not dangerous to people and do not differ fundamentally from other products on the market.
It is also important to note that genetically modified foods have potential benefits. One of these could be a potential solution to the problem of global hunger. Growing genetically modified food is much easier than growing conventional plants. As discussed above, this is achieved by the fact that such plants are usually resistant to various insects and other pests. This means they can spread quickly and bear better fruit, resulting in improved yields.
The world’s population is constantly increasing, which means that more people may be left without the opportunity to feed themselves (Lippi et al. 220). Cultures that can withstand climate change can help develop, further increasing humanity’s chances of survival. The resistance of genetically modified crops to insects and various other pests can contribute to environmental sustainability. This is possible because the cultivation of such plants does not require pesticides, which makes this process less harmful to the environment.
In addition, it can also be beneficial for farmers, as they do not need to buy large stocks of products to spray over plantations. Thus, using GM crops can reduce human safety and health risks, as farmers do not need to use chemically toxic pesticides to protect their fields from insects. Some genetically engineered plants can also consume less fertilizer and natural resources.
Conclusion
To date, genetically modified foods are universal for many use cases. At the same time, their essential advantage is that they are much more profitable for growing and breeding than conventional crops, which can be exposed to various pests. In addition, these plants are harmless to humans and can be eaten as they have passed all the necessary checks. Establishing specific rules and regulations to which GM products must comply helps meet these standards, positively affecting their consumption possibilities.
Works Cited
Center for Food Safety. Genetically Modified Food. CFS, Web.
Lippi, Giuseppe, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, and Gianfranco Cervellin. “Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation: an increasing epidemic and public health challenge.” International Journal of Stroke 16.2 (2021): 217-221. Web.
Rozas, Pablo, Eduardo I. Kessi-Pérez, and Claudio Martínez. “Genetically modified organisms: adapting regulatory frameworks for evolving genome editing technologies.” Biological Research 55 (2022). Web.