Genetically Engineered Crops Essay -- GMOs Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically Engineered CropsChemical and seed companies give birth been working the last several years to alter the ancestral make-up of certain crops to combat heavy pressure from plant louses and weeds. Through genetic manipulation plant breeders have been able to make certain crops disapproveant to antithetic types of chemicals and insects. Breeders can alter the crops by adding to a specific plant one or more genes from other related crops with a known resistance to an insect or herbicide The use of genetically engineered crops has become a hotly debated topic over the last couple of years. Environmentalists are concerned with how these new crops willing affect the environment. Farmers want to know how these crops will help them to increase production and increase profits. Consumers are interested in the possible health risks stemming from these genetically altered crops. There are three main reasons why I support the use of genetically engineered crops. I think geneticall y altered crops can have fewer negative impacts on the environment, increase farmers profits through increased yields, and pose no major health risks to consumers. The two types of crops I will concentrate most of my attention on are corn reistant to the European corn borer and Roundup herbicide resistant soybeans.Monsanto, along with other companies, has developed corn varieties to resist European corn borer infestations. The gene inserted in these crops is called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt is a natural bacterium in the soil that produces a protein to disrupt the digestive systems of targeted pests (Monsanto Crossroads). This uniform gene is also used in varieties of cotton to protect against the tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm, and pink bollworm, and in potato varieties... ...s Next For Designer Seeds? Top Producer. Jan. 1997 32- 34.Keller, Des, Del Deterling, Earl Manning. Biotech Bushels. state-of-the-art Farmer Midwest. Jan. 1997 16-18.Klintberg, Patricia Peak. The Su mmit of Our Discontent. Farm Journal. Jan. 1997 36-37.Making the Worlds Food Better. Monsanto Crossroads.http//www.monsanto.com/MonPub/InTheNews/BioBrochure/Better.html (18 Nov.1997).Responses to Questions Raised and Statements Made By Environmental/Consumer Groups and Other Critics of Biotechnology and Roundup Ready Soybeans. Soybean Responses.http//www.monsanto.com/MonPub/InTheNews/Articles/97-04-21SoybeanResponse.html (18 Nov. 1997).Sandoz Seeds Receives Marketing panegyric For Insect-Tolerant Corn (Maize) In the United States. Sandoz Press Release.http//www.novartis.com/textsite/media/releases/Sandoz96/aug06.html (18 Nov. 1997)