Genetically Modified (GM) Crops. Specifically Term Paper

For example, if birds feed on seeds and a certain variety of insect, without the seeds, the birds may disappear, and the insects would then overpopulate the area.

In addition, the cost of GM crops is initially high to the farmer. These seeds cost much more to develop and test, and so, they are much more costly to the farmer. They might benefit Third World agriculture in many ways, but few Third World farmers could possibly afford the increased cost of these seeds, and so, they would not be available to a majority of the people that need them the most. Cost is an important factor in the continued growth of GM crops, and so, manufacturers must eventually address the cost of these seeds, and reduce the cost so that more people can afford to plant them.

While no study has found GM food to be harmful to humans, opponents say it is too soon to be sure. GM crops have not been on the market for that long, and often, foods and nutrients have extremely long-term affects on the human body, not showing up for years or even decades. More long-term studies need to be developed that will track GM crops and foods, so scientists fully understand just what types of implications they have for human health.

The public has a very negative perception of GM crops, and in many areas, they have been banned entirely. The Goldsteins state, "In Europe, particularly Great Britain, large numbers of people have supported a ban of GMOs. Grocery stores are refusing to carry foods containing GMOs" (Goldstein & Goldstein, 2002, p. 235). Their outcry has become so severe that many farmers will not plant GM crops, because they fear they will be sabotaged by GM activists, or they will not be able to sell their crops when they are ready for market.In conclusion, GM crops still face controversy, and they should still face scrutiny by scientists, researchers, and the public. Author Toke continues, "At the end of the day, GM food and crop technology will be judged by what it can do for the farmers who grow them, consumers who have to eat them, and also on judgements about the environmental acceptability of GM crops" (Toke, 2004, p. 8). Studies should continue, and these studies should be conducted over long time periods, so that researchers can fully understand just what the long-term affects of GM crops are on humans, animals, and the environment. Once more studies are completed, the world will know if it can trust genetically modified foods, and that may make these crops much more popular with consumers and the agricultural community.

References

Black, Richard. 2004, 'Study Finds Benefits in GM Crops.' BBC.com. [Online]. Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4046427.stm.

Editors. 2005, 'Genetically Modified Foods.' World Health Organization. [Online]. Available at http://www.who.int/foodsafety/biotech/en/.

Goldstein, M.C., & Goldstein, M.A. 2002, Controversies in Food and Nutrition. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Pickrell, John. 2004, 'GM Organisms: Instant Expert.' NewScientist.com. [Online]. Available at http://www.newscientist.com/popuparticle.ns?id=in35.

Toke, D. 2004, the Politics of GM Food: A Comparative Study of the UK, USA, and EU.….....