GMOs or genetically modified organisms, have been around since the 1990's. In this time period, produce like potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, and corn began to be sold at grocery stores (FDA). Genetically modifying plants through biotechnology is difficult to do which is why it was only discovered less than thirty years ago. However, once mastered, genes of these plants can be modified to increase the size of each crop (which increases yield), lower the cost of raising these crops, and even make the food taste better. There are cons that come with genetically modifying crops, they are unhealthy for humans to ingest, they can contaminate other crop fields, and are crossed so many times that the organic versions of these plants will be non existent in the future which can be very dangerous.
Health issues like toxicity and organ damage to human health are real concerns to people who consistently ingest GMO's. In the fast food world, a common modification is the extraction of a chemical by the name of "acrylamide" which is known to cause cancer for consumers after the potato is fried (French fries). Also, companies genetically modify the genetics of processing potatoes to decrease bruising, which is all about money for the sellers. If a potato has black spots and I too badly bruised, whatever company it is (McDonalds, Wendys, Jack in the Box, etc.) cannot use the potato and it must be discarded. All these companies care about is the appearance and taste of their products because quite frankly, this is all their customers care about. For example, the video below shows how McDonald's "fresh" French fries after 8 weeks of sitting inside of a jar.
Eating GMO foods are not dangerous to your health unless you consume them very consistently. Regulations still take place and the FDA has immense regulations on what can be sold to the public. In the creation of this blog, the McDonald's experiment video, the Nikon's small world website, and the KSL article about super weeds in Utah struck and inspired me the most.
Image / Video Citations
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6us9kHHSNwk
2) Keim, B. (2014, June 24).The next generation of GM crops has arrived-and so has the controversy. Wired. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.wired.com/2014/06/the-future-of-biotech-crops/
3) Onuegbu, P. (2016, June 28).Genetically modified (GM) food: The thrills and fears. Nigerian Observer. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://nigerianobservernews.com/2016/06/genetically-modified-gm-food-the-thrills-and-fears/
Citations
1) Jones, F. (2020, May 17). Why is McDonalds rejecting the Simplot innate GMO potato? Food Digital. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://fooddigital.com/franchising/why-mcdonalds-rejecting-simplot-innate-gmo-potato
2) Pros and cons of genetically modified organisms (GMO's). Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-cons-gmos.php
3) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). Science and history of gmos and other food modification processes. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/science-and-history-gmos-and-other-food-modification-processes
4) Yeates, E. (2009, June 8).'super weed' taking strong hold in Utah. KSL.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.ksl.com/article/6754314
5) Nikon's small world. Nikon's Small World. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2022, from https://www.nikonsmallworld.com//
Hey Blake. I too think it is dangerous to be genetically modifying all the foods we are eating today. I understand the pro you argued in favor of like quicker ripeness and larger crop, however scientists need to consider the damages done to our bodies and the environment by GMO.
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