What is a GM Crop and what are the advantages/disadvantages? Why would the government ban them??

Question

What is a GM Crop and what are the advantages/disadvantages? Why would the government ban them??

Answer 1

We learned about this in my nutritional bipchemistry class

a GM Crop is a genetically modified crop.  It is when one gene of a crop is changed to accomplish a certain goal.

Advantages are that farmers can genetically modify crops to keep pests from eating them.  It can also save some types of crops from being wiped out completely in some areas of the world.  Also genetically modifying crops like rice into what they call "golden rice" helps impoverished countries, so that when people eat it they get more nutrients out of it.  Also just taste and appearance in general can be modified to make the food better, especially fruit.

Disadvantages:

Even though you can test and test and test these crops to makes sure nothing abnormal happens after eating them, there is no sure way to know.  Allergies for example, are a big concern.  Some people are allergic to certain genes, and it is a concern that no one knows much information about these newly developed genes.  Also on most produce in the grocery store there is no way to really tell whether the food has been genetically modified or not, you have to look at the code on the sticker, certain codes mean the produce has been genetically modified.  This numberis called the price look-up code (PLU) code.  If the number is five digits beginning with a 9, then the item is organic. If the item is five digits beginning in 8, then it is a genetically modified crop.

Answer 2

GM) foods are foods produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil.

Organic Consumers Association, and Greenpeace respond by claiming the long term health risks which GM could pose, or that the risks of GM have not yet been adequately investigated.

Some scientists and economists express concern about the alleged harm delaying welfare and environmental improvements, for instance by provitamin A enriched Golden rice which is said to have the potential to prevent children from Vitamin A deficiency, and insect protected Bt rice which can potentially reduce exposure of farmers to synthetic insecticides.

Other scientists and studies, however, dispute such findings and argue that GM foods aren't tested to scientific standards before being released to the public. The only way to discern whether a product is organic are through a numerical bar code label on the product.

Answer 3

the topic is vast

please read the following

PDF]

Genetically modified crops and food

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat

The debate about the safety and need for genetically modified (GM) crops and foods ... the rate at which GM crops and foods are being introduced, ...

www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/gm_cr... -

go to www.google .com for more information