Pros and cons of gm foods

Pros and cons of gm foods

Pros of Genetically Modified Foods. Higher yields; Statistics according to scientists at the Germany’s University of Göttingen indicate that Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) increase crop yield by more than 22%. This is why most areas experiencing food shortage have taken up the use of GMOs to help reverse the trend Aug 15,  · GMOs – genetically modified organisms – have been the topic of many food discussions. With so much talk of GMOs and GM foods, you may be surprised to know there are currently only eight genetically modified crops available in the United States and Canada Jul 01,  · We list popular diet plans, and examine the common types (low-carb, keto, fasting) of diets. Plus, we look at diet rules, and diets that work and diets that don't

What Foods are Genetically Modified? | blogger.com

This article was medically reviewed by Samantha CassettyMS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City.

Genetically modified organisms GMOs are living organisms that have had their genes altered in some way. GMOs can be animals or bacteria, but most often they are crops like corn or potatoes that have been tweaked in a lab to increase the amount or quality of food they produce. There are many advantages of GMO crops, but some groups have raised concerns that GMOs may have negative health effects. Here's what you need to know about the pros and cons of GMO foods and whether you should avoid them.

Humans have been altering the genetics of plants for thousands of years through the slow process of cross-breeding between crops. Today, scientists can take a shortcut to modify plants by editing their DNA in a lab setting.

The process of creating a GMO plant is complex, but it follows these basic steps :. Norris, PhDa biomedical researcher at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Because scientists can select the most pros and cons of gm foods traits to include in GMO crops, there are many advantages of modified foods, including:.

GMOs may have fewer pesticides. Many GMO crops have been altered to be less vulnerable to insects and other pests. For example, Bt-corn is a GMO crop that has a gene added from Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring soil bacteria. This gene causes the corn to produce a protein that kills many pests and insects, helping to protect the corn from damage.

This means that farmers don't need to use as much pesticide on crops like Bt-corn — a study found that farmers with GMO crops reduced their pesticide use by The use of fewer pesticides in crops may lead to fewer health risks for people eating them and less damage to the environment. GMOs are usually cheaper. GMO crops are bred to grow efficiently — this means that farmers can produce the same amount of food using less land, less water, and fewer pesticides than conventional crops.

Because they can save on resources, food producers can also charge lower prices for GMO foods. GMOs may have more nutrients. Certain GMO crops are designed to provide more nutrients like vitamins or minerals. For example, researchers have been able to create a modified form of African corn that contains:. GMO crops can offer many advantages in costs and nutrition, but some experts worry that they carry health risks, as well. GMOs may cause allergic reactions. Because GMO foods contain DNA from other organisms, it's possible that the new DNA can trigger allergies in people who wouldn't normally be allergic to the food.

In one instance, a GMO soybean crop created using DNA from a Brazil nut was unsafe for people with nut allergies and couldn't be released to the public. However, GMO foods go through extensive allergen testing, so they shouldn't necessarily be riskier than conventional crops, pros and cons of gm foods. GMOs may pros and cons of gm foods antibiotic resistance. When GMO scientists insert new DNA into plant cells, they will often add in an additional gene that makes the modified cells resistant to antibiotics.

They can then use an antibiotic to kill off any plant cells that didn't successfully take in the new DNA. However, researchers are finding that these antibiotic-resistant genes don't always go away once you digest GMO foods, but can actually be passed through your feces into sewage systems. Some experts worry that these genes may be absorbed into harmful bacteria found in sewers or your pros and cons of gm foods that can cause serious illnesses like staph infections. This means that the usual antibiotic treatments would be powerless against these new super-bacteria.

Not all experts agree on this concern, pros and cons of gm foods, however — some scientists argue that this type of gene transfer is very unlikely and there is little risk to humans. GMO crops have many advantages for your health, such as greater nutritional value and fewer pesticides. They may also be cheaper for farmers to grow, allowing for lower food prices. Though there are possible risks, major agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency tightly regulate GMO foods and ensure that they are safe for people to eat.

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HOMEPAGE Subscribe Subscribe. Madeline Kennedy. Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you pros and cons of gm foods the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. GMO foods are designed to be healthier and cheaper to produce, but genetic modification is not without consequences. The pros of GMO crops are that they may contain more nutrients, are grown with fewer pesticides, and are usually cheaper than their non-GMO counterparts.

The cons of GMO foods are that they may cause allergic reactions because of their altered DNA and they may increase antibiotic resistance. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Sign up for notifications from Insider!

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Dec 07,  · Pros of PLA Over Plastics: Utility and Biodegradability. Genetically modified foods may be a controversial issue, but when it comes to genetically spicing plants together to breed corn that Feb 18,  · Whole-grain foods, such as sprouted wheat bread, quinoa, rice, bulgur, and oatmeal are all great options for fueling up during your eating window. Protein, as well as raw and full-fat dairy foods, are strongly encouraged; Hofmekler is a fan of cheese, yogurt, and raw milk Nov 20,  · The pros of GMO crops are that they may contain more nutrients, are grown with fewer pesticides, and are usually cheaper than their non-GMO counterparts. The cons of GMO foods are that they may cause allergic reactions because of their altered DNA and they may increase antibiotic resistance. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice