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Example research essay topic: Genetically Modified Crops Genetically Modified Organisms - 1,729 words

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Genetics An Essential Part Of Our Diet More genetically modified crops are appearing on the farms of the United States everyday, even though consumers may not know it. However, the good news is that these crops are planted because of their benefits to people. For example, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), More than 40 transgenic crop varieties have been cleared through the federal review process with enhanced agronomic and / or nutritional characteristics or one or more features of pest (insect and viruses) and tolerance to herbicides. The AMA goes on to report that no long-term effects have been detected to date. Nevertheless, because there is a lack of unbiased information that is provided to the public, some people are skeptic of this new science, and believe it is dangerous. However, the public must be informed that genetic engineering has given agriculture many technological advances, and still offers many more to come.

Agricultural genetic engineering research could provide many benefits for our future because genetically modified organisms (GMO) would offer a surplus yield to help ease world hunger, would promote a pesticide / herbicide free environment, and would lead to higher quality foods. Many people have interchanged the terms agricultural biotechnology and genetic engineering with out knowing the difference. Agricultural biotechnology is the collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms. This explains that agricultural biotechnology is the big picture that includes many different sub categories. One of these sub categories is genetic engineering; this is the altering or redesigning of the genetic make-up of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Genetic engineering allows scientist to shut the bad genes down and to turn the genes they like up. Thanks to technology scientist can identify the genes that caused the early splitting of the peach. With this they can select the genes they want to enhance, and create a peach that matures early and does not split. Genetic engineering has helped the peach and many other crops, doing the same thing as crossbreeding, just in a shorter amount of time. Actually, there is nothing new about agricultural bioengineering. According to John Dyson, farmers have been crossbreeding crops for many years in order to produce crops with the more desired traits; however, bioengineering has allowed scientists to speed up the rate at which crossbreeding can be done (Dyson).

This technology allows us to improve the quality of the crops in just a short matter of time, allowing us to have better tasting foods with better nutritional value. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) acknowledges that biotechnology allows the exchange of genetic material between two parent plants to produce offspring having desired traits such as increased yields, disease resistance, and enhanced product quality (CAST). With this exchange of genetic material, we may never have to worry about crops falling victim to certain threatening diseases and we may someday produce twice the yield from half the land. Many people do not realize how biotechnology has helped other in so many ways. The USDA reports that because of biotechnology, insulin, which is used to treat diabetic patients, and blood clot-busting enzymes, which is used for heart attack victims is now made at a substantially lower cost. Biotechnology is allowing researcher to increase nutritional value of foods, create vaccines for animals, such as the vaccine for shipping fever of cattle, which was once the biggest killer of beef cattle.

Biotechnology is also helping the environment by reducing the amount of insecticides and herbicides applied to crops. As an example there is a type of cotton, which is a biotech crop that kills many of its own pests. Many people debate on whether one should eat food produced by a transgenic animal. Duane C. Kraemer notes that there two groups of people that would be likely to refuse the idea of eating food produced by a transgenic animal, these are who found it unethical to produce transgenic animals, and vegetarians (Kraemer).

These two groups are a small number when compared to the total population. As long as the transgenic animals can be produced within ethical means, there should not be a problem for anyone when it comes to the question on whether or not to eat food produced by a transgenic animal. Agricultural genetic engineering research could provide many benefits for our future because genetically modified organisms would offer a surplus yield to help ease world hunger, would promote a pesticide / herbicide free environment, and would lead to higher quality foods. ARS scientists have also developed a new hybrid of potato that is resistant to potato blight, the disease that caused the potato famine in Ireland in the mid nineteenth century (ARS). Millions of acres of wheat, a major food staple, would help to ease world hunger greatly.

With this strand of wheat being able to grow in harsh land conditions which are very prevalent in third world countries, we can allow these nations to grow the food on their own, make them more self sufficient. Quite often in the news consumers hear reports that chemicals in the rainwater are extremely high to be considered safe for human consumption. According to the USDA in order to reduce the use of so many herbicides, scientists are working on creating crops that are herbicide tolerant (USDA). Herbicide tolerance would mean instead of farmers spraying their crops many times with different herbicides they would be able to spray only once with a specially designed herbicide to kill the weeds, but the crops would not be harmed because they had been genetically engineered to withstand the herbicide. Scientists have been breaking the codes of plant cells for many years. Genetic research has allowed them to change the face of agriculture.

With the genetic codes mapped out scientists are able to manipulate certain genes of plants, fruits, and vegetables that will ultimately change their nutrient content. Reported by human ecologist, Pamela, at Cornell University, Rice can be made with higher concentrations of vitamin A. Corn in the future will have higher level of folate. (Emanoil) Consequently, scientists are studying many other fruits and vegetables, in order to not only maximize nutrient values, but to add other nutrients to foods that would not normally be found in them. Before biotechnology, farmers had to pick tomatoes off the vine while they were still green. This was done to allow them time to be shipped before they ripened and started to rot. John Dyson points out, The softening is caused, in part, by an enzyme known as PG, which dissolves the glue holding the tomato's cells together.

Researchers have been able to turn off the gene that starts the enzyme to work (Dyson). By shutting off the gene that tells the PG enzyme to activate, farmers can now allow the tomatoes to ripen on the vine allowing for a better taste, just like homegrown tomatoes. Although agricultural genetic engineering has so many positive aspects, some critics assert that this technology could be dangerous to society because the technology could disrupt natural ecosystems, could create health problems in humans, and could harm agriculture. Some people believe that agricultural genetic engineering could disrupt natural ecosystems. They are afraid of such myths as the super weed, a weed produced with genetically engineered crops through crossbreeding that will take over an ecosystem, leaving society powerless.

Some ecologists are worried that genetically engineered crops could help breed stronger weeds by spreading their genes engineered for disease resistance or other advantages. Both private researching companies, and the Federal agencies conduct several lab, greenhouse, and field tests to insure the safety of the environment when using genetically modified crops. The many tests performed on the new crops are used to see how they will affect and interact with the environment. These tests not only prove whether the genetically modified crops will be safe for human consumption, but also prove whether they will be safe to be placed in any ecosystem. Furthermore, critics say that agricultural genetic engineering will cause health problems in humans.

However, this has yet to be proven. They say that it is just not natural to transfer genes from one species to another, and that the result could be deadly. However, this could not be further from the truth. All signs show that agricultural genetic engineering has only helped the human race by providing better tasting and more nutritious foods.

In addition, critics of agricultural genetic engineering go on to say that this technology will harm agriculture. They say that these genetically altered crops may harm the natural make up of a plant, and they love to report on the massive amounts of chemicals being placed on crops every year. As was stated earlier, one of the main concerns of agricultural genetic research is to reduce the amount of pesticides and herbicides used each year. The fact that critics ignore the benefits of reducing these chemicals only goes to show that critics of GE crops are running out of things to complain about. Fortunately, their are many companies such as Monsanto and CAST who do not let these critics that are opposed to agricultural biotechnology slow their progress of improving crops. Although, some may look at this technology as dangerous, we must look at the facts.

Agricultural biotechnology has only helped the human race by offering surplus yields from crops, promoting a pesticide / herbicide free environment, and improving the quality the crops, without any negative side effects. Those that oppose this technology must open their eyes to see that this science is here to stay with all of its wonderful benefits. Instead of criticizing biotechnology, we as a whole, must promote the great ideas of those conducting this research. Thanks to this technology, we may be able to provide for an ever-growing world population. Works Cited: American Medical Association. Genetically Modified Crops and Foods.

Retrieved: 12 - 3 - 2002. < web >. CAST. Applications of Biotechnology to Crops: Benefits and Risks. 12 February 2001 < web >. United States Department of Agriculture. < web >.

Dyson, John. Genetic Engineering Improves Agriculture. Wekesser, pp. 68 - 73 Emanoil, Pamela. Genes. (nutritional aspects).

Human Ecology. 2000, p 13. Johnson, Julie B. Genetic Engineering Is Dangerous. Wekesser, pp. 18 - 21 Kraemer, Duane C. Genetically Altered Animals Will Benefit Humankind.

Wekesser 95 - 101


Free research essays on topics related to: genetically modified organisms, american medical association, genetically engineered, genetic engineering, genetically modified crops

Research essay sample on Genetically Modified Crops Genetically Modified Organisms

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