Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
By polachicago
@polachicago (18716)
United States
November 27, 2006 8:35pm CST
Genetic Modification of organisms uses technology to change the genetic makeup of animals, plants, or bacteria allowing higher & quicker yield of foods or resistance against disease, pests, and pesticides. Just a few controversies surrounding GMOs include the ethical implications of tampering with natural species and the human health impact of introducing allergens into our foods.
Are you getting worry about your health?
3 people like this
6 responses
@mythmoh (3984)
• United States
10 Dec 06
Most of the vegetables and fruits now a days are very big because of this?am i right?So they are unhealthy for human beings.Not only for humans but also other animals which takes these as their food.for example cow.So even cow's milk also been contaminated.So i prefer organic foods.
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
18 Dec 06
Actually we have been doing something like it for a very long time...we have hybreds which can take years to develop, we have cross bred food animals and our pets to encourage some traits and discourage others in a breed,we even have done this with fruits and vegetables.
Using technology is mostly just speeding up the process. One still has to wait to see the results of the introductions and eliminations.
Some of the changes have been successful, resulting in hardier plants and animals, others have not...
Today nothing alive has not been subjected to some alterations whether those alterations have been done my man or by nature.
So no, I am not getting worried that my food may kill me.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Dec 06
GM crops have cost the United States an estimated $12 billion in farm subsidies, lost sales and product recalls due to transgenic contamination. Massive failures in Bt cotton of up to 100% were reported in India.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
31 Dec 06
"Breeding" process needs to be accepted by nature. GMO is "forcing" acceptance.They produce new DNA(recombinant).
The term recombinant DNA refers to a new combination of DNA molecules that are not found together naturally.
Unintended health impacts from GMOs concern allergens, antibiotic resistance, decreased nutrients, and toxins.
1 person likes this
@volschenkh (1043)
• South Africa
30 Dec 06
nobodyspecial is right, we have been doing this for thousands of years. We have domesticated crops and animals by breeding them and selecting for the characteristics we know they have today. Breeding is a crude form of genetic engineering. Let me explain,during breeding the genomes of two different species are mixed up, and we select for the randome genetic traits that are useful to us. With genetic engineering the "breeding" process has been made much more specific and controlled, we can now add or delete ONE gene at a time.
Geneteic engineering is nothing more than advanced breeding, and we have been living with products of advanced breeding for thousands of years, no reason to think differently about the more modern technique of recombinant DNA technology.
1 person likes this
@psyche_shivya (879)
• India
17 Dec 06
well frankly its like when it comes in contact with acid, they won't harm us i guess....but then i may be wrong..but i'd prefer nature....
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Dec 06
it is not about acid...transgenic DNA is known to survive digestion in the gut and to jump into the genome of mammalian cells, raising the possibility for triggering cancer.
1 person likes this
@alienstar (5142)
• India
27 Dec 06
Yes....i think, each and everything is becoming little artificial in this world and even this GMO's are not at all good for health and this seems to be the result of advanced science which is helping manking in some way and harmfull in different way's...isn't it?
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Dec 06
What does GMO mean? Genetically Modified Organism is the most common usage (though 'manipulated' or even 'mutated' might also be appropriate!) The acronyms GEO (Genetically Engineered Organism) or simply GM or GE are also used.
Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that forces genetic information across the protective species barrier in an unnatural way.
Why be concerned? One of many good reasons is that these laboratory-created mutations are unlabeled, virtually untested and on grocery shelves everywhere.
1 person likes this
@adidas7878 (1891)
• United States
23 Mar 07
yes i am, that is why i like orgaic food better, too bad they are getting kinda pricy, i want a bigger piece of land so i can farm my own vegetables and raise my own animals, i dont like all those chemical that they use on food
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
24 Mar 07
watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA76tcYLNXg
