Genetically Modified Organisms have perhaps been one of the most controversial and debatable topics lately. There has been a huge debate about the safety of their consumption and various associated implications. There are two different and opposite lobbies and while one supports Genetically modified organism, the other detracts and criticizes them. There have been many studies and researches on the safety and efficiencies of GMOs and the results have been mixed and confusing.
The article ‘Altered Food, GMOs, Genetically Modified Food’ by Jennifer Ackerman does a commendable job at explaining everything about the genetically modified organisms. The article published in National Geographic magazine is indeed reliable because of the platform on which it has been hosted and also the content, which is well analyzed, researched and studied. The article explains how in the modern world scientists tend to insert genes of specific traits into plant and animal DNA for variety of purposes. The article starts with the history of GMOs and establishes that they are hardly a new phenomenon and that US shifted to biotech or GMO foods long back. It also fades the doubt about the safety of genetically modified foods by calling them safe for human consumption. It quotes the strict vigilance and regulation of three central or federal agencies namely the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration as one of the reasons of GMOs being safe for consumption. In this context, the example of genetically modified tomatoes is worth discussing. These tomatoes are not only cost effective since they require minimal fertilizers and pesticides, but also can be produced in huge quantity to meet the needs of growing global population. Such genetically modified tomatoes are induced with cancer fighting chemicals and hence they serve multiple benefits. These foods including tomatoes are loaded with therapeutic ingredients that doctors recommend to or prescribe for patients at risk of serious issues like cancer and heart diseases.
All these arguments in the favor of GMOs or highlighting their benefits are corroborated and complimented with extensive research and appropriate data. The research or article isn’t single sided but also talks about the concerns and issues related to genetically modified organisms. Though the author praises the invention of GMOs for their potential and promise of eliminating world hunger, it also cautions for the unapprehend risks that might pop up later. With burgeoning population and huge population still dying of hunger, the risk seems worth taking. The article provides a complete and holistic view of the issue and supplements it with data
References
Jennifer, Ackerman (2002). Altered Food, GMOs, Genetically Modified Food.
Nationalgeographic.co.in. Retrieved May 4, 2013,
altered.html
