1. The Benefits of (GMO) or (GEO) 1
The Benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms or Genetically Engineered Organism
Judy Zheng
Christiana High School
January 30, 2017

2. The Benefits of (GMO) or (GEO) 2
Abstract
Genetically modified organisms is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using
genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA
technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule
to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or
novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA
that originated in a different species. Genetically modified organisms has health risk and
environmental risk. Mortality Rate, Slowed Growth Rate, Growth Defects, Infertility
Contaminated Fields, and Pesticides are some of the risks. They also have advantages and
disadvantages. Disease could be prevented by detecting people/ plants/ animals that are
genetically prone to certain hereditary diseases, this is an advantage. A disadvantage is that the
DNA of genetically modified plants may contain the genes of insects, animals or even viruses.
These products may potentially cause harm to your health.

3. The Benefits of (GMO) or (GEO) 3
The Benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms or Genetically Engineered Organism
In today’s news, genetically modified organisms have been a trending topic in scientific
controversy. These organisms possess altered genetic material and are otherwise known as
transgenic organisms. GMOs are commonly found in many areas of our society, mainly in the
area of plants for food production. Whether they are present in our local markets or fields, these
biotechnology integrated foods are being produced at a surprising rate. It is estimated that
“between 70-100 percent of processed foods now contain GMOs” (Runge, Ford, and Jackson).
Due to their abundance, it is common that this topic would raise suspicions from consumers.
Many are opposed to transgenic produce as they are unaware of the immense amount of benefits
that these advancements have created. The use of biotechnology in produce is beneficial to the
community because it is capable of assisting worldwide hunger, providing monetary gains to
resource-poor farmers, and also have a vast potential to cure and prevent diseases in our society
today.
The concept of hunger is related to a deficiency of resources. However, the world’s
current food supply is capable of feeding the world population adequately. In fact, Stacey Rosen
notes in the International Food Security Assessment, 2012-2022 that “scientific literature argues
that we currently produce enough food to feed every woman, man and child on the planet. Yet
despite this abundance, nearly 1 billion people are hungry, and roughly a third of 8.8 million
annual child deaths are attributed to malnutrition”. The correlation between the amount of food
produced and amount of citizens who are hungry seem to lack a relationship. In the article “Ten
Reasons Why Biotechnology Will Be Important to the Developing World,” Mcloughlin explains
that the reason hunger is still prevalent in many areas is related to food distribution among

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nations and cooperation between the markets (164). A possible option to this problem would
involve a new economics system that is capable of apportioning our food resources proficiently
and proportionately. However, the system described will be difficult to create and perfect
overnight. This method may prove to be inefficient when considering time issues as well as
unforeseen complications. An alternate and more plausible solution would be to increase the
creation and production of food resources and sustainability techniques.
As the world population continues to grow steadily, our food supply will be insufficient if
no action is undertaken. Mclaughlin also states that “Bt-type technologies are expected to
increase yields while herbicide-resistant technologies are expected to reduce costs and input use”
(166). In the article “Bt-Corn: What it is and How it Works”, Ric Bessin explained that Bt-type
technology refers to the Bt-corn which is a type of GMO. This strain of corn possesses a donor
organism that is a natural bacterium in soil (Bacillus thuringiensis). Additionally, this type of
corn has been given traits to provide protection from pests. Due to the fact that genetically
modified organisms increase the yields and production of food resources, these “frankenfoods”
are a possible solution to world hunger.
In addition to the abundance and cost-reducing abilities of genetically modified
organisms, the potential to cure or prevent disease has been found. Mclaughlin describes the
creation of a rice strain that possessed potential to avoid blindness in children (164). Children
whose diets are insufficient in vitamin A are at risk of receiving many diseases, a few being
xerophthalmia (an eye disease that may cause blindness in children), measles and diarrhea.
“Xerophthalmia is most common in young kids who have a vitamin A deficiency and older
people, but it can affect people of any age” (KidsHealth). In order to avert these devastating
diseases, an improved vitamin A nutrition will be required.

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Conveniently, scientists have implemented this essential vitamin in a common and widely
eaten food: rice. Genetically modified foods are capable of not only preventing disease and
providing essential nutrients to those who eat it, it may also be used as an edible vaccine. Edible
vaccines are “cheap, accessible and safe, and eliminate the need for the dreaded needle” (Genetic
Resources Action International). Locally grown crops can be used as edible vaccines in order to
deplete various diseases among the population. In fact, by using these crops, more diseases could
be cured than the abilities of “the Red Cross, missionaries and the United Nations (UN) task
forces combined, at a fraction of the cost” (Mcloughlin, 165). Genetically modified foods
possess colossal potential regarding public health.
However, as beneficial as these “frankenfoods” may seem, possible downsides still exist.
In the article “Ten Reasons Why Biotechnology Will Not Ensure Food Security, Protect the
Environment and Reduce Poverty in the Developing World,” Altieri agrees that hunger is not
connected to GMOs and is actually related to the cooperation between markets and explains that
“too many people are too poor to buy the food that is available or lack the land and resources to
grow it themselves” (156). Altieri additionally argues about how biotechnology is unnecessary
and “profit-driven”. One example refers to Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology company. A
corporation that was led by Monsanto created seeds that were only able to tolerate a specific type
of herbicide. This exact herbicide was additionally created by Monsanto, leading one to believe
that these products were created as a pair for profitable purposes.
Additionally, the possibilities of decreasing biodiversity among crops can emerge from
utilizing herbicide resistant crops in farms. When using these specific crops, the crops are unable
to branch off into different species because they will not have the need to build up immunity
against detrimental factors, such as pesticides and invasion of insects or fungus. Thus, not much

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evolution within the plant species will occur. Genetically modified organisms cause “a startling
decrease in agricultural biodiversity” (Mulleriyawa). A diminished biodiversity may result in a
threatened natural sustainability. Biodiversity is a significant topic in biology due to the immense
amount of services it can provide, a few including pollution breakdown and absorption,
maintenance of ecosystems and biological resources such as food products or medicinal
resources.
With a higher species richness, more species of plants will flourish throughout
ecosystems. A high biodiversity produces more medicine, natural vegetation to create water, and
species to provide nutrients for rich soil. The lack of biodiversity that originates from genetically
modified organisms is detrimental to our ecosystems. Overall, with a lack of constantly changing
plant species, biodiversity will be threatened along with the health of our ecosystems, farms and
people due to deprivation of biological resources and ecosystem services.
Another significant controversy regarding GMOs lies in the topic of public health. Many
are scared of GMOs because they are unaware of the technology behind it. Because this
technology is recent, many are concerned that transgenic foods have not been adequately tested
to prove safety. Others are concerned about the negative reactions to the specific gene inserted
into the genetically modified plant. There may be possible toxic effects or allergic reactions in
accordance to GMOs. Essentially, the concern over biotechnology centers on potential risks or
unexpected side-effects that might occur from these techniques. Many consumers suggest that
transgenic foods should be labeled. This way, people will possess the choice of eating GMOs or
not. The Center for Food Safety states that “already in 2013, nearly half of all U.S. states have
introduced bills requiring labeling.”

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Even though the statements of hunger that Altieri refers to are indeed true, this concept is
unrelated and irrelevant to advancements in biotechnology in produce. Increased production of
food may not assist world hunger, but these GMOs are helpful in other aspects such as scientific
advancements. Additionally, although the statement that biotechnology is “need-driven” is
correct, Mcloughlin claims that “biotechnology is being advanced and directed towards resource-
poor farmers and locations” (165), deeming that these biotechnology advancements are indeed
vital to helping farmers worldwide. With seeds being less costly and more resistant to negative
factors, farmers save money. Some GMOs are also need-driven, rather than profit driven. One
significant example is the transgenic papaya that was made into a GMO to gain non
susceptibility to a virus.
Additionally, using herbicide resistant crops are not solely for monetary needs. By
utilizing these new technologies, the competition for herbicides will increase, causing prices to
decrease to attract other farmers. These lower prices benefit not only companies such as
Monsanto, but for farmers with genetically modified organisms and farmers who have not yet
utilized these biotechnology-integrated seeds and crops in the fields.
In regards to the legal issues of genetically modified organisms, one of Hawaii’s islands
already possess laws that deny the utilization of land for GMOs. “The Big Island, otherwise
known as Hawai’i, [prohibits] biotech companies from operating on the Big Island and banning
farmers from growing any new genetically altered crops. The bill exempts the island’s GMO
papaya industry” (Cocke, “Big Island Mayor Signs Biotech, GMO Ban Into Law”). The papaya
bypasses the bill because genetic engineering saved the industry years ago. The papaya ringspot
virus (PRSV) was an abundant virus that spread quickly and caused infected papaya to be
unmarketable.

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Fortunately, a genetic engineered breed was created and as a result, the new breed was
unsusceptible to the virus. The main concern for the non-GMO law lies within the concept of
virus and disease. What if another large industry produce becomes infected with a virus, similar
to the papaya? It is simple to say that genetic engineering will not be allowed, at least on the Big
Island. Genetic engineering is a significant process that more citizens of our society should be
aware about. Scientific as well as economical issues will inevitably come into play, and
biotechnology procedures may have plausible or efficient solutions.
A common issue that anti-GMO citizens speak about is in regards to unknown dangers.
Taking into consideration how recent biotechnology is, it is expected that many would have
doubts. In reality, “no described medical condition [has directly been] associated with a diet
including approved GM crops in large exposed populations such as 300,000,000 Americans and
a billion Chinese” (Paparini, Romano-Spica). New technologies that are being implemented with
our land and food is sure to cause quite a stir. The transgenic papaya, a significant GMO of
Hawaii, although seems beneficial and glorious due to its ability to resist disease, encountered a
few problems upon introduction. One major issue lies in its yield; transgenic papaya “has a lower
yield than papaya before made transgenic.” Additionally, genetically modified papaya infects
field papaya and lowers biodiversity among the crops (Napasin Toowong). Although genetically
modified organisms encounter problems, biotechnology is not yet a perfected science.
Farmers are capable of purchasing transgenic plants that don’t require pesticides. GMOs
create a larger food source that is able to help world hunger. And lastly, these organisms have the
capability of curing or preventing disease. Countless benefits have the potential to emerge from
these “frankenfoods”. However, biotechnology-integrated crops are concurrently being opposed
by many. Genetically modified foods are capable of helping many, including third-world

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countries, resource-poor farmers and general consumers of produce. Farmers and consumers are
able to reduce their monetary losses due to the efficiency in growing GMOs. Genetically
modified foods are beneficial for society and should not be opposed by the general public due to
their advantages and potential.

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● "Assessing Benefits and Risks of Genetically Modified Organisms." Genetics Society of
America. GSA Board of Directors, Nov. 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.genetics-gsa.org/pages/pp_benefits.shtml>
● Bessin, Ric. “Bt-Corn: What It Is and How It Works.” University of Kentucky College of
Agriculture. 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 03 Jan. 2014
<http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef130.asp>
● Center for Food Safety. “State Labeling Initiatives.” Web. 02 March 2014.
<http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/976/ge-food-labeling/state-
labelinginitiatives#>
● Cocke, Sophie. “Big Island Mayor Signs Biotech, GMO Ban Into Law.” The Huffington
Post. 05 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/big-island-biotech-ban_n_4395521.html>
● Genetic Resources Action International. “Eat Up Your Vaccines.” Twin World Network.
<www.twnside.org.sg/title/twr127d.htm>
● KidsHealth. Xerophthalmia. KidsHealth A to Z Dictionary. Cacal 8
<http://kidshealth.org/parent/dictionary/x/az-xerophthalmia.html>
● McGloughlin, Martina. “Ten Reasons Why Biotechnology Will Be Important to the
Developing World.” AgBioForum 2.3-4(1999): 163-174. Print.
● Mulleriyawa, Ranjit. “Seeds Lost in the Winds of Change.” The Nation. 02 February
2014. Web. 05 February 2014.
<http://www.nation.lk/edition/lens/item/25401-seeds-lost-in-the-winds-of-change.html>
● Napasintuwong, Orachos. “Ex-Ante Impact Assessment of GM Papaya Adoption in
Thailand.” AgBioForum. Web. 02 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.agbioforum.org/v12n2/v12n2a05-napasintuwong.htm>
● National Institutes of Health. 2004. Web. 10 February 2014.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15504704>
● Rosen, Stacy. “International Food Security Assessment, 2012-2022.” United States
Department of Agriculture. July 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/849266/gfa23.pdf>
● Runge, C. Ford, and Lee Ann Jackson. "Labeling, Trade and Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs): A Proposed Solution." Nov. 1999. Web. 04 Dec.
2012.<http://www.iatp.org/files/Labeling_Trade_and_Genetically_Modified_Organi.htm
>