GMOs: A New Frontier in the Farming Industry

By: Arwin E.

Introduction

Do you know what a GMO is?  It stands for a Genetically Modified Organism. This title is usually used for genetically modified produce. If you ever went into a store, you might have seen a cotton product. These are some of the most liked fabrics on the market, but many species of cotton plants, specifically in California, are GMOs. Some GMOs are also crosses between the DNA of two different species. For example, a recently created tomato GMO is actually a mix of a tomato and a Snapdragon, a species of flower. Due to this modification, now people can eat tomatoes that prevent cancer and are extremely healthy for you, but they still taste like regular tomatoes.

Fruits and Vegetables

One current crop that is mostly GM (Genetically Modified) is corn. Currently, 92% of the corn sold in the United States is GM. Another crop that is sold in mass production as a GMO, is soybean. Today in the United States, 94% of the soybean sold is from GMO plants. They do this because normal soybean plants are harmed by herbicide when farmers spray weeds with it. The GM soybean is immune to herbicide and won’t be harmed while weeds are being sprayed. If you have ever eaten tofu from the United States, there is a good chance that it was made from GM soybean. 

Flowers

Some flowers are also GMOs. Blue roses are actually from a genetically modified rose plant. Deeper yellow and orange lotuses are also usually GMOs. If you buy either blue roses or yellow and orange lotuses, they are  most likely a GM plant.

Positives

GMOs can be much healthier than their normal counterparts. Some prevent viruses and disease. For example, zucchini GMOs help prevent yellow mosaic virus and watermelon mosaic virus. They do this due to the mix of genes of two different organisms that gives the product the best of both. Most GMOs can produce more vitamins for the human body than regular organisms.

Negatives

There are also some disadvantages to GMOs. Other GMOs can be fatal to the reproductive system and cause serious problems. GMOs can also trigger allergic reactions when not meant to. For example, if scientists make soybean GMOs, Brazil nut genes added into soybean DNA, there is a chance that the soybean could cause an allergic reaction because of the Brazil nut genes in it.

Conclusion

As you can see, GMOs are all around us without us necessarily knowing it. If you go to the grocery store, and look closely, there are lots of GM produce. If you look closely at the tags on some fruits and vegetables, it will tell if it is a GMO. You probably eat a lot of GM food without even knowing it. You might even be eating some right now!