The Food You Eat
Genetically Modified Foods and Organically Grown Foods
Genetically Modified Foods
Organically Grown Foods
What are Genetically Modified Foods?
Genetically modified organisms referred to the use of molecular biology by inserting a gene to a living organism, from a different species. Examples of crops that are genetically modified include corn, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, soybeans, tobacco, rice, cranberries, papayas, raspberries, chrysanthemums, gladioli, petunias, poplars, spruce, and walnuts. In crop plants such as these, insect resistance and herbicide tolerance are mostly used.
What are Organically Grown Foods?
Organic food is produced without antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and/or bio engineering Farmers who grow organically practice the use of renewable resources, and conservation of soil and water to try to enhance the environmental quality for generations in the future. Organic foods are approved and labeled after the farm is inspected. Organic foods will be labeled.
usda.gov
Pros Vs. Cons of Genetically Modified Foods
Pros:
- Increased pest and disease resistance
- Drought tolerance
- Cold tolerance
- Increased food supply
- Foods ready at any season
- Accidental contamination between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods
- Adversely changing the nutrient content of a crop
- Antibiotic Resistance in animals
Pros vs. Cons of Organically Grown Foods
Pros:
- Organic farming reduces pollutants
- Higher nutritional value
- Fresh
Cons:
- Expensive
- Low Productivity
- Certain Foods only grow in certain seasons
- ex. mangoes in summer only
- Farming is labor intensive