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What is Genetically Modified Food?
Genetically modified food, a type of GMO (genetically modified organisms), is produced from changing the genetic characteristics of an organism, such as a seed. This can be done through inserting a new DNA into the organism, adding, removing or rearrangement the order of the gene, with the purpose of changing some of the characteristics of the food.
Other Facts
The When and Why of Genetic Modification
When did GMO become available?The food was actually available in the early 1990s.
Why did people make GMO?
Scientists aim to product a superior "species" of food, e.g. bigger, sweeter fruits, wheat that is tolerant of herbicides or insects, or tomato that is more resistant to rotting. Many of them have a noble aim: to produce more food to solve the world's hunger problem, or to improve the efficiency of agricultural land to save the environment. However, there are concerns related to potential harm of genetically engineered food to human, the environment and the world. We will explore this big debate below.
Is Genetically Modified Foods Common?
You bet!In 2005, about 222 million acres (900,000 KM2, or double the size of California) are used for GM food cultivation, of which 55% are from US. In terms of harvest, around 60% of the world's GM food comes from US, 20% from Argentina, 5% from Canada, and the rest mostly from the 3 biggest emerging countries: Brazil, China and India.
In terms of crops, the most common genetically engineered food in the US is soybeans (89%), cotton (83%), maize (66%). Most of them are modified to become more herbicide tolerant.
Do People Care about GM Foods?
It depends. According to a poll done in 2005, only a small proportion of Americans have knowledge on GM foods. Among them, they oppose animal cloning and support active product regulation, but in general remain supportive of the technology. The fact that GM food isn't required to be labeled, and absence of organized anti-GM-food campaign also contribute to the relatively lack of concern among Americans in this matter.On the other hand, Britons (and Europeans) have much stronger views, with more than half of the Britons against GM food being available to the market. It may be a result of a controversial study in 1999 suggested that a few strains of GM potatoes might be toxic to laboratory rats, as well as wide-spread food concern since the Mad Chow Disease scare.
Interestingly, if we assume that the developing countries don't care, we are wrong!
What is the Future of GM Foods?
As creative as you want! Animals can be made to mature faster, fruits made to yield faster and bigger, and plants made to yield more of the chemicals useful to humans (e.g. for making vaccines and special raw materials). Sky is your limit!Given such a potential, it is not surprisingly that some people are marvelled by this invention while others are very worried about its impact to our planet.
The Big Debate: Should We Love or Hate GM Food?
On solving food hungerOn solving malnutrition
On food safety
On politics and balance of power
On the environment
It happens in nature anyway
The debate continues.
While the GM food issue remains controversial, it is the most important that we find out the facts, then give our support or opposing accordingly. I hope you have learned a little bit about genetic modified foods today and please do take a poll below and tell the world what you think!
Our readers' view
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Lastly, if it is only a Yes or No Answer...
If you are now the President of your country and have to vote for a Yes or No on GM food in a UN convention, what would you do?
My Vote and My Reason
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYES
calvin says:
I would say there should be GM food. it is unhealthy but you should get the chice if you want to eat it or ot. there should be a label on it. it is more faster & easyier. farmers have less work to do. if we can have it , then why not ?
Posted December 06, 2008
B. J. says:
I would have a tough time trying to decide, as many people have grown used to eating genetically modified food without realizing it. Take the seedless watermelon for example. When I walk into a grocery store and see a seedless watermelon, I don't think "Hmm, a seedless watermelon? How on Earth could that be possible, as watermelons need seeds to reproduce? Let me see, what could it be? Oh, I know! Genetically modified food!" But instead I thought: "Cool! They hav watermelons without seeds now! That means I won't have to pick them oout any more!"
I think you understans what I mean.
Posted September 01, 2008
NO
Bob says:
What happened to freshly naturally grown foods? The next thing you know we will be growing tomatos in test tubes. Just stick to the original!
Posted March 24, 2009
Links from the Pro-GM Camp
- New Scientist Special GMO Report
- My favorite site in the Pro camp. Generally supportive of GM technology and makes best effort to lay out the facts. Also reports on the anti-GM news to give a complete picture.
- Genetic Maize
- A more light-hearted blog written by PhD student Anastasia, whose research includes improving bioavailable iron in maize through genetic engineering.
- GMO Food For Thought
- A weekly blog that reports the latest news and innovation of the agricultural biotech industry. Somewhat technical, but lots of information.
- GMO Africa
- Similar to GMO Food For Thought. It actually discusses issues beyond Africa and has a nice blog.
Books from the Pro-GM Camp
Tomorrow's Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $23.96 (as of 07/06/2009)
Links from the Anti-GM Camp
- Greenpeace on GMO
- My favorite site in the Against camp. While some people may frown on Greenpeace's usual "activist" approach, in this website they present the arguments rationally, with lots of useful information e.g. food labelling legislation on GM products in different countries.
- GM Watch
- A site with lots of anecdotes against the usage of GMO / GM foods.
- Seeds of Deception
- Website that promotes the book of the same title.
A rather intense site. Also check out its sister site, responsibletechnology.org.
Books from the Anti-GM Camp
The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/06/2009)
Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/06/2009)
Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature of Nature
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 07/06/2009)
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ChineseKitesforKids wrote...
I think you have yourself a good debate going here. Very creative topic with engaging content. Thank you for sharing! Come check out our lens Daycare School Nutrition
Posted June 03, 2009
by Steph-Saurus
Someone who loves and cares about healthy food, and the food industry's impact on the environment.
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