The Dangers of Genetic Engineering
Chances are you have already eaten genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Look at the ingredient list on any packaged food in your cupboard. Any food with ingredients from corn, soy, canola, or cottonseed is likely to be made with GMOs. Thousands of products on supermarket shelves are made with GMOs. There are already over 50 million acres of GMO crops growing in the U.S. These foods contain genetic material that has never before been part of the human diet, from crops that have not evolved in any natural environment. Genetic engineering is not traditional breeding. A genetically modified organism is a plant, animal or microorganism that is created by means that overcome natural boundaries. Genetic engineering can involve crossing species which could not cross in nature. For example, genes from a fish have been inserted into strawberries and tomatoes. It can also involve putting chemicals into food. Almost all GMOs grown today are in one of two varieties: "insect resistant" and "herbicide tolerant" crops. The crop produces an insect toxin as it grows, in every cell of the plant throughout the entire growing season. When you eat GMO insect resistant corn you are eating a pesticide. Despite these alarmingly unnatural modificat
The biotech industry claims that no one has been harmed by eating GMO food. But doctors and scientists warn that there is not enough evidence to ensure that these foods are safe in the human diet. In fact, there is ample evidence of the risks of GMOs. Transfer of allergens through the genetic engineering process has been documented, yet GMOs now on the market contain proteins that have never been assessed for allergenic potential. The rise of diseases that are resistant to treatment with common antibiotics is already a serious medical concern. Doctors warn that the use of antibiotic resistance genes in GMO crops may add to this risk. ions, you won't find "genetically engineered" on the label of any of these products. The industry doesn't want you to know that it has embarked on an experiment unique in human history, an experiment that doctors and scientists around the world are warning may not be safe. In the U.S. labeling of GE foods is voluntary, even though there is no indication that any company will voluntarily label genetically engineered foods. The United States may soon be the only country in the world that does not require labeling of genetically engineered food. And many countries, including Greece, Thailand, Spain, England, Norway and Switzerland, have declared a moratorium on new
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Approximate Word count = 882
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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