Post by Trade Coach on Jul 16, 2022 15:36:31 GMT 1
What are GMOs?
“GMO,” which stands for Genetically Modified Organism, refers to any organism whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering technology.
In the food industry, GMO crops have had genes added to them for various reasons, such as improving their growth, nutritional content, sustainability, pest resistance, and ease of farming.
The issue of Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) as they relate to our food supply is an ongoing, nuanced, and highly contentious issue.
From this article, we will continue to bring this issue to our esteemed members so that you can fully understand it and take your own informed stand on it.
Individuals from the scientific and medical fields fall on both sides of the argument, some claiming that genetically modified crops are helping to solve issues concerning hunger and an increasing global population, while others believe they’re doing more harm than good — both to the environment and people.
With numerous studies supporting both sides, it leads many of us to wonder: Who should we believe?
To give you a clearer sense of the issues and arguments that surround GMOs, Healthline asked for two professional opinions from both drastically different sides:
Dr. Sarah Evanega, a plant biologist, and Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist.
Here’s what they had to say:
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the interviewees and don’t necessarily reflect the official position of Healthline.
Dr. David Perlmutter:
Genetic modification of agricultural seeds isn’t in the interest of the planet or its inhabitants. Genetically modified (GM) crops are associated with an increased use of chemicals, like glyphosate, that are toxic to the environment and to humans. These chemicals not only contaminate our food and water supplies, but they also compromise soil quality and are actually associated with increased disease susceptibility in crop.
This ultimately leads to an increase in the use of pesticides and further disrupts ecosystems. And yet, despite these drawbacks, we haven’t seen increased yield potential of GM crops, although that has always been one of the promises of GM seeds.
Fortunately, there are innovative alternatives to the issue of food insecurity that are not dependent on using GM crops.
Sarah Evanega:
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) food is safe. In that respect, my stance mirrors the position taken by the National Academies of Sciences and the majority of the world’s scientific community.
I eat GMO foods, as do my three young children, because I’m confident in the safety of these products. I support GMO food because I’m convinced that GMO crops can help reduce poverty and hunger among smallholder farmers in developing nations. They can also lessen the environmental impact of agriculture in general.
Genetic engineering is a tool that can help us breed crops that resist drought, diseases, and insect pests, which mean farmers, achieve higher yields from the crops they grow to feed their families and generate extra income. We have seen, time and again, that farmers who grow GMO crops in Africa, and South and East Asia earn extra money that helps them do things we Westerners take for granted — like send their children to school and buy a propane stove so they no longer have to cook over fires fueled by cow dung.
In developing nations, much of the weeding is done by women and children. By growing crops that can tolerate herbicide applications, the children are freed up to attend school and the women have time to earn income to help support their families.
I know many of the scientists who are using genetic engineering to breed improved crops, and I’ve witnessed their dedication to making the world a better place. I support GMO food because I’ve seen first-hand how it can improve people’s lives. For farmers, access to GMOs is a matter of social and environmental justice.
You can see the arguments from both sides, which side do you belong to? We shall bring more of these arguments to you in future as this contentious issue is important to Africa and Nigerians in particular where food shortages and hunger are rampant.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today, we train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
“GMO,” which stands for Genetically Modified Organism, refers to any organism whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering technology.
In the food industry, GMO crops have had genes added to them for various reasons, such as improving their growth, nutritional content, sustainability, pest resistance, and ease of farming.
The issue of Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) as they relate to our food supply is an ongoing, nuanced, and highly contentious issue.
From this article, we will continue to bring this issue to our esteemed members so that you can fully understand it and take your own informed stand on it.
Individuals from the scientific and medical fields fall on both sides of the argument, some claiming that genetically modified crops are helping to solve issues concerning hunger and an increasing global population, while others believe they’re doing more harm than good — both to the environment and people.
With numerous studies supporting both sides, it leads many of us to wonder: Who should we believe?
To give you a clearer sense of the issues and arguments that surround GMOs, Healthline asked for two professional opinions from both drastically different sides:
Dr. Sarah Evanega, a plant biologist, and Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist.
Here’s what they had to say:
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the interviewees and don’t necessarily reflect the official position of Healthline.
Dr. David Perlmutter:
Genetic modification of agricultural seeds isn’t in the interest of the planet or its inhabitants. Genetically modified (GM) crops are associated with an increased use of chemicals, like glyphosate, that are toxic to the environment and to humans. These chemicals not only contaminate our food and water supplies, but they also compromise soil quality and are actually associated with increased disease susceptibility in crop.
This ultimately leads to an increase in the use of pesticides and further disrupts ecosystems. And yet, despite these drawbacks, we haven’t seen increased yield potential of GM crops, although that has always been one of the promises of GM seeds.
Fortunately, there are innovative alternatives to the issue of food insecurity that are not dependent on using GM crops.
Sarah Evanega:
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) food is safe. In that respect, my stance mirrors the position taken by the National Academies of Sciences and the majority of the world’s scientific community.
I eat GMO foods, as do my three young children, because I’m confident in the safety of these products. I support GMO food because I’m convinced that GMO crops can help reduce poverty and hunger among smallholder farmers in developing nations. They can also lessen the environmental impact of agriculture in general.
Genetic engineering is a tool that can help us breed crops that resist drought, diseases, and insect pests, which mean farmers, achieve higher yields from the crops they grow to feed their families and generate extra income. We have seen, time and again, that farmers who grow GMO crops in Africa, and South and East Asia earn extra money that helps them do things we Westerners take for granted — like send their children to school and buy a propane stove so they no longer have to cook over fires fueled by cow dung.
In developing nations, much of the weeding is done by women and children. By growing crops that can tolerate herbicide applications, the children are freed up to attend school and the women have time to earn income to help support their families.
I know many of the scientists who are using genetic engineering to breed improved crops, and I’ve witnessed their dedication to making the world a better place. I support GMO food because I’ve seen first-hand how it can improve people’s lives. For farmers, access to GMOs is a matter of social and environmental justice.
You can see the arguments from both sides, which side do you belong to? We shall bring more of these arguments to you in future as this contentious issue is important to Africa and Nigerians in particular where food shortages and hunger are rampant.
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today, we train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
