For the last unit of the Food course, an integrated math and science class, we studied plant genetics and plant engineering. For our action project, we were assigned to hold a debate on whether or not to allow GM seeds in our rural neighborhood in Illinois. I am pro-GMO. At first it was difficult because I didn't know much about this topic, and because most of the people I know are anti-GMO. From this unit and project I also learned about the Green Revolution and visited a farm, where the class had a chance to interview Marc, an executive chef and farmer. During the interview we had a chance to ask him his opinion on GMOs.I thought it was interesting to see what he had to say, because he only grows organic seeds only. I am actually glad that I decided to be pro-GMO. I have found out so many interesting research that definitely has opened my eyes. Before this unit and project I didn't see the importance of knowing  where food comes from and how food is made.Now with all the knowledge, I have been catching myself looking at food labels, ingredients, and even just observing my food.


Did you know that around 150 to 200 people die in the U.S from food allergies?  According to National Geographic, genetically engineered foods can minimize the risk of people dying from food allergies. When we eat, we’re all at risk of getting sick. It doesn’t matter if the food is  genetically modified or not. If anything foods with genetically modified ingredients are more safe. These ingredients go through rigorous tests, in order to land on our shelves. Scientist go through each ingredient carefully to make sure that they’re safe. GMOs don’t do any harm. You all have been eating GMOs for a long time. All of you look pretty healthy.

GM technology will help the environment. In the U.S. farmers spray more than 970 million tons of insect- and plant-killers each year, which can cause damage to our environment. In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency recorded that cotton farmers that grew large amounts of genetically modified cotton sprayed 21 percent less insecticides. Using less pesticides is the same as removing 10 million cars from the road. Not only do GMOs benefit the environment, they also benefit our health According to USDA ,GM crops can provide better quality traits such as increased levels of Vitamin A in rice and improve oil compositions in canola, soybeans and corn. Plant breeding also gives crops the ability to stand up to the environmental challenges of drought, disease and insect infestations. Every plant improved through the use of food biotechnology is checked out by the FDA and EPA for health risks. These tests are done on plants before entering the food and animal feed supply, so if their was really something wrong with them, we would not have access to that food or produce. Hundreds of studies and tests have been done on GMO safety. We still have not seen any scientific evidence that GMOs are more dangerous than crops produced by traditional plant breeding. GMOs are very useful when addressing world hunger. Millions of children either die or suffer from blindness because of vitamin A deficiency.Golden rice was created to get rid of the suffering. It’s a genetically modified type of rice, that contain vitamin A. With that said, GMOs can improve crop yield and increase the nutritional value of those same crops. GMOs can help save money. An Iowa State University study showed that without the help of biotechnology, global prices would be 10 percent higher for soybeans and 6 percent higher for corn. With the help of biotechnology the food we buy are staying at affordable prices. Ingredients grown with GM technology need fewer pesticides, less water and keep production costs down. GM technology helps reduce the price of crops used for food, such as corn, soybeans and sugar beets by as much as 15-30%.

GM foods have helped us in the past few decades, and it’s working. GMOs gave us the boost that we needed. Our wallets are more packed because GM technology keeps food at affordable prices.The environment is being helped out because of less pesticides. GM technology makes up for the lack of vitamin A in our food, which can also reduce the number of people that suffer from hunger and malnutrition.Why are we being so critical on something that has helped us? Let’s get busy saving our environment and help feeding millions of people. Vote pro-GMO!

Citations:
 Entine, Jon. "2000+ Reasons Why GMOs Are Safe To Eat And Environmentally Sustainable." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 02 June 2014.

Feature, WebMD. "Genetically Modified Foods (Biotech Foods) Pros and Cons."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.

"GMO Foods." Commonground GMO Foods Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.