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Genetically modified organism (GMO) is organism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products. According to WHO, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e., plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. GMOs are used mostly in the field of medicine followed by agriculture. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods. There is a revolutionary change observed after using GMOs in various sectors. Now a question is raised that GMOs have really any negative side effects or not. This battle of GMOs is so complicated and confusing day by day.
After watching the first documentary ‘Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs’, we found many negative side effects of GMOs. According to Jeffery Smith, GMOs causes reproductive problems, immune system problems, accelerated aging, organ damages, gastrointestinal diseases, dysfunctional regulation etc. He also mentioned ‘glyphosate’ that harms environment as well as biodiversity. The corruption of ‘Monsanto’ company about producing GMO seeds is exposed in the documentary. That’s why, they believe that people should rise their voice against ‘Monsanto’. In a word, after watching this documentary we learn that our biodiversity is being destroyed for using GMOs.
But the second documentary ‘Food Evolution’ is somewhat opposite of the first documentary. This documentary mainly explained the benefits of GMOs. In the documentary we see that GE solve the problem of the people of Uganda and Hawaii. In Uganda and Hawaii where banana and papaya are going to destroyed, GM banana and GM papaya (the Rainbow papaya) save not to extinct this food. GM banana and GM papaya are mainly diseases resistance. Here it is also highlighted the meeting in Hawaii where different type of people from different profession are involved in argument about the safety of GMOs. We also see the actual story of ‘Monsanto’ company.
In the first documentary, the biologist Bruce Lipton said, “GMOs has negative effects not only us (humans), but also environment”. I disagree this statement. Cultivating GM crops has proven better for biodiversity than the conventional alternative, because one way to maintain biodiversity in a local ecosystem is to reduce pesticide use. For instance, ‘Bt’ corn is engineered to be toxic to predators that would otherwise prey on it. So, it is not necessary to spray pesticides over an entire field. Soil microbial communities are not affected by GM crops, which interact with soil microorganisms (worms, insect, fungi, and bacteria), in the same way as non-GM crops. GM organisms are mainly introduced in order to get plants with improved resistance against plant disease or drought, crops with increased nutrient levels, with enhanced growth characteristics. So, we can say that GMOs are more beneficial than we think.
I also disagree with Jeffery Smith’s statement in the second documentary that “eating GMO papaya might causes to get more colds, susceptibility to hepatitis or HIV”. Because, there is no reports found that consuming GMO papaya has any side effects. I agree with the statement that GMO technology reduces the uses of harmful pesticides. Such as ‘Bt’ corn is engineered to be toxic to predators that would otherwise prey on it. They are considered 'natural insecticides'. They don’t need as much outside assistance in the form of pesticides sprayed over an entire field. GM technology adoption has optimized pesticide use by 37%. The reduction in pesticides for the period 1996 to 2012 was estimated at around 500 million kilograms of active ingredient.
In conclusion, we can say that people are much benefited by using GMOs. It is not harmful for animal, humans or environment. It reduces the labor of farmers. Farmers can produce more crops without using pesticides. It does not damage our biodiversity. It is also important in the field of medicine. In a word, GMO is blessings for us.
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