Genetically Modified Foods

By: Gerek Simonis

Genetically modified foods are taking the world by storm. Genetically Modified Foods are a modern marvel and are altered, created and tested as we speak. They are changing the world and science community and they can help us unlock new potential and create improved foods that only science can achieve. A Genetically Modified Food (GMF) is a food that has had its gene structure changed or altered in some way in order to enhance the food in a certain fashion. GMFs are mainly found it crops but are making their way into meats and produce as well (Wikipedia, 2014). The genes inside of these foods have been altered for the food to have a different purpose, function, taste or reaction to overall give the food an increased and better profile (Wikipedia, 2014). These foods are created and tested inside labs again and again until the scientists reach their desired product. Scientists have gone as far as allowing the crops to grow their own pathogens and herbicides to protect and prolong the life of the food (Wikipedia, 2014). Genetically modified foods are wonders of the modern world. They are a very interesting and strange creation but are very complicated as well. The GMFs are created by transferring the gene from the host plant and inserting that gene into a new plant. The targeted DNA is isolated from the new plant and infused with special enzymes called endonucleases (Fig 1). These enzymes cut out the targeted gene in specific spots as not to tamper with the gene around it and other genetic structures. After the targeted DNA is cut out the scientists begin to work on creating an Expression Cassette. This Cassette consists of additional DNA surroundings that are used and inserted into the new product. Shortly after the Cassette is made it is inserted into a plasmid which makes billions of copies of the new gene and puts those copies into the genome of the host cell (Science, 2014).

Figure 1

Are Genetically Modified Foods a risk to human health? Recent studies suggest they might be potentially harmful to humans by putting them at greater health risks. GM crops have been controversial but no they are posing major health concerns to humans. Animals that were fed GM crops had major health effects such as increased potential in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis (Actionbioscience, 2014). Mice that were fed GM crops suffered from increased growth, enlarged breast muscles and increased potential for disabilities. These effects were irreversible and stayed with the animals without dissolving. Many animals were tested on and near all of them had some sort of reaction to the crops (Actionbioscience, 2014). Cows along with other animals such as sheep had increased milk production. Many of the animals had toxins found inside of them when tested after death (SCQ, 2014). These effects have not been reported in humans but are sure to emerge as more and more GMFs are put out. Genetically Modified foods are popping up everywhere in the world, they are created in fashions that are unethical to some seeing as how they want to keep food as normal food. However this food is modified to try to increase the food profile, it is not meant to harm anything. On the flip side there are major health concerns (SCQ, 2014) in animals and are likely to appear in humans as the crops start to go public.