THE GMO DEBATE
MY OPINION
Throughout the past, genetically modified organisms have been able to show many positive results from their use. They have been able to beneficially impact societies around the world and help to improve them. However, the use of genetically modified organisms does have some potential negative drawbacks based on the way that they might be used currently. That is why I feel that We need to be able to find ways to effectively use genetically modified organisms so that any potential negative effects on health or the environment are minimized.
Health Impacts
Yield Increases
Environmental Impacts
Genetically modified organisms have had the ability to make positive impacts related to health all over the world. India happens to be one of these locations. Before the use of GMOs in India, the country was struck with starvation among much of its population. After the introduction of “golden rice” India became a new country. Golden rice is a genetically modified version of rice that has higher amounts of vitamin A in it. It was created because of the shortage of vitamin A in people’s diets.
GMOs have also helped to show other advancements related to health. They have shown that they have the ability to help reduce people’s sensitivity to allergens in addition to treating their allergies as a whole. This ability to help people with issues related to allergies is something that has the power to benefit people all over the world so that they can live safer lives.
Gmos have shown many positive impacts when it comes to the environment. Throughout the world, there have been less of a need for pesticides due to the use of GMOs since they were developed with the intent of natural resistances for pests. Farmers in China have greatly benefited from their reduced need for pesticides. The reduction in pesticide use has led to other benefits. Since less pesticides are being used, less soil erosion is occurring from the wearing away of topsoil.
According to Graham Brookes' article, The adoption of biotechnology has helped to decrease pesticide spraying by 503 million kilos. As a result, environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use has dropped by 18.7 percent as measured by the Environmental Impact Quotient indicator (EIQ). Brookes also noted other ways that GMOs have impacted the environment. The use of GMOs has contributed to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting in 26.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide no longer being released into the atmosphere. This reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide is equivalent to removing 11.9 million cars from the roads for a year.
Genetically modified organisms have shown many improvements in yields around the world. One particular location is in India. In addition to being self-reliant for food from the use of GMOs, the country became an exporter of food.
Biotech systems have overall shown many benefits related to yield. According to Georgina D. Arthur's article, transgenic wheat with high Glutamate dehydrogenase yielded up to 29% more crop than the normal crop with the same amount of fertilizer. This shows how with the same investment, GM seeds are producing higher yields.
Many people say that they fail to see improvements in yields. However, studies have shown that GMOs have made contributions to increasing global production levels of the four main crops. For example, 122 million tonnes and 230 million tonnes have been added to the global production of soybeans and maize, respectively, since the introduction of the technology in the mid-1990s.
