Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods, commonly referred to as GM foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms), are foods that have had their traits enhanced from their natural state. The most common traits that have been genetically modified are creating a greater resistance to herbicides and to make the food product an overall healthier and more nutritional item. This process used to be taken on by breeding; that is a natural process that is forced. However, this took too long to result in the desired traits, so scientists moved on to a more proactive approach. They decided the best method would be genetic engineering, which allowed for quicker, and more accurate results.
An example of why producers would want to create GMOs is because they would want to find one plant's gene responsible for drought tolerance and alter other plants so they, too, can have that gene.
One of the largest problems people are having with GMOs are 'frankenfoods'. People fear that food will be altered so much that they won't be able to retain what makes them their defining food. Critics of GMOs believe that food created or changed from its natural state will become fake, over-processed, harmful, or not the food they thought they were purchasing. It has been proven that at least eighteen percent of all GMOs have been engineered in such a way that they actually end up creating their own pesticides. This could be harmful to anyone that consumes these products. It's argued that GMOs break down the barriers that create the defining characteristics of different foods. Some people believe that foods are starting to lose their essence of what they are and changing into something unrecognizable.
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