Genetically Modified Foods and Their Pros And Cons

Summary

This video explores the complex world of Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs), highlighting their potential benefits such as enhanced nutritional content, resistance to diseases and pests, and environmental advantages. It also addresses the concerns surrounding GMOs, including the risk of allergic reactions, the development of superbugs, and the impact on biodiversity. The script invites viewers to consider the pros and cons and engage in the debate about the future of food production.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Genetically Modified (GM) foods have DNA that has been altered through genetic engineering to include traits not naturally present in their species.
• 🎨 GM technology can change or improve the color of food, making it more visually appealing and influencing perceptions of taste and nutrition.
• 🌧️ GM crops are engineered to withstand weather extremes and grow in less suitable conditions, ensuring quality and yield even under harsh circumstances.
• 💉 GM plants can be made resistant to diseases, akin to a vaccine being encoded into their genes, reducing the need for external pesticides.
• 🚚 The extended shelf life of GMOs facilitates easier and longer-distance transportation, aiding in reducing food waste and addressing food shortages.
• 💰 GMO crops can be produced more efficiently, potentially reducing the cost of food by 15% to 30% due to savings in land, water, and pesticide use.
• 🐛 Some GMO foods are modified to resist insects and pests, reducing the amount of chemical pesticides needed and lowering exposure to these chemicals.
• 🥦 Genetic modifications can enhance the nutritional content of crops, allowing for a denser nutritional profile and addressing vitamin deficiencies, such as Vitamin A in rice.
• 🌡️ New GM crops are being developed for extreme climates, and advancements include decaffeinated coffee beans and tomatoes that can grow in salty soil.
• 🌿 GM crops contribute to environmental benefits by increasing oxygen levels, reducing carbon dioxide, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
• 🏥 'Pharming' uses genetic modifications to produce proteins, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals, offering cheaper health solutions and new medication delivery methods.
• 🌾 Reduced use of pesticides and herbicides in GM farming allows soil to recover its nutrient base and helps maintain a sustainable agricultural environment.
• ⚠️ Despite the advantages, GM foods may cause allergic reactions due to the introduction of foreign genes that could trigger immune responses.
• 🛡️ There are concerns that GM crops could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and affect human health by transferring resistance genes.
• 🌾 Outcrossing is a risk where GM genes could mix with conventional crops, potentially affecting the integrity and labeling of organic and non-GMO products.
• 🦋 The potential reduction in biodiversity due to GM crops could harm certain organisms in the ecosystem, affecting the balance of the environment.
• 🐄 GMO components can be found in animal-based products, as livestock is often fed GM crops, which may have implications for animal protein consumption.

Q & A

What is the primary method used to create genetically modified foods?

Genetically modified foods are created through genetic engineering, where foreign genes are embedded into the food's DNA, giving it traits that do not occur naturally in its species.

What are some advantages of genetically modified crops in terms of environmental benefits?

GM crops can be engineered to withstand weather extremes, resist diseases, and require less land, water, and pesticides, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and environmental pollution.

How do genetically modified foods address the issue of food waste and hunger reduction?

GM foods have a prolonged shelf life, making them easier to transport over long distances to areas experiencing food shortages, thus helping to limit food waste and potentially reduce hunger.

What is the economic benefit of genetically modified crops for farmers?

GM crops are bred to grow efficiently, allowing farmers to produce the same amount of food using fewer resources, which can lead to lower food prices and increased savings for farmers.

How do genetically modified foods contribute to the improvement of nutritional content?

The nutritional content of GM crops can be altered to provide a denser nutritional profile, meaning people can gain the same nutrition from consuming smaller quantities of food, such as rice genetically modified to produce high levels of Vitamin A.

What is the potential impact of genetically modified foods on biodiversity?

There is a concern that GM crops could harm certain organisms in the ecosystem, potentially leading to a decrease in biodiversity if the crops prove toxic to some species or reduce their numbers.

What is the concept of 'outcrossing' in relation to genetically modified crops?

Outcrossing refers to the risk of GMO genes mixing with those of conventional crops, which can happen over large distances and make it difficult to distinguish between organic and non-organic crops.

How can genetically modified foods potentially affect human health?

There is a risk of allergic reactions due to the introduction of foreign allergens through genetic modification. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for antibiotic resistance and the transfer of disease-causing genes from bacteria and viruses used in the modification process.

What is the role of 'pharming' in the context of genetically modified foods?

'Pharming' is a process where genetic modifications are used to produce certain proteins, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical goods. This offers a cheaper method of improving personal health and could change how certain medications are provided in the future.

How do genetically modified crops impact the use of pesticides and herbicides?

GM crops often require less use of pesticides and herbicides due to their genetic resistance to pests and diseases. This allows the soil to recover its nutrient base over time and reduces the environmental impact of these chemicals.

What is the potential impact of genetically modified foods on livestock and animal-based products?

A majority of plants in the United States are genetically modified and used as livestock feed, which can affect animal-based groceries. GMO components can be traced in eggs, milk, seafood, and animal muscle tissues, as well as in honey due to bees pollinating GM plants.

Outlines

00:00

🍇 Advantages of Genetically Modified Foods

The first paragraph introduces the concept of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods, explaining the process of genetic engineering to embed new traits into the food's DNA. It highlights the dual nature of GM crops, presenting a list of advantages such as improved aesthetic appeal through color modification, stronger crops resistant to weather extremes and diseases, easier transportation due to prolonged shelf life, cost efficiency in farming, insect resistance through the integration of safe toxic bacteria, enhanced nutritional content like Vitamin A in rice, development of new crop varieties for extreme climates, and the reduction of global warming through increased oxygen levels. Additionally, it touches on medical benefits like 'pharming' for producing proteins and vaccines, and the potential for decreased pesticide use leading to environmental benefits.

05:01

🚫 Disadvantages and Concerns of Genetically Modified Foods

The second paragraph delves into the potential downsides of GM foods, starting with the risk of allergic reactions due to the introduction of foreign genes that may contain allergens. It discusses the possibility of creating superbugs through the overuse of pesticides, the concern of antibiotic resistance transfer from GMO plants to humans, and the issue of outcrossing where GM genes can mix with conventional crops, complicating the labeling of non-GMO products. The paragraph also addresses the reduction in biodiversity that may result from the impact on ecosystems and the potential effects on animal protein sources, as a majority of US crops are genetically modified and used as livestock feed, affecting animal-based food products. The summary concludes by suggesting that despite the cons, the pros of GM foods seem to outweigh them, encouraging viewers to consider their dietary choices.

Keywords

💡Genetically Modified Food (GMOs)

Genetically Modified Food, often referred to as GMOs, are foods that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering to include traits not naturally found in their species. This is a central theme of the video, as it discusses both the potential benefits and drawbacks of GMOs in agriculture and food production. The script mentions that GMOs can be engineered for various purposes such as resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, and the ability to grow in extreme climates.

💡Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the scientific process used to modify an organism's genes to give it new traits. In the context of the video, this process is crucial for creating GMOs. It allows for the embedding of new traits into food crops that can enhance their characteristics, such as resistance to diseases or environmental conditions, and even improve their nutritional value.

💡Advantages

The video outlines several advantages of GMOs, which are beneficial aspects or positive outcomes associated with their use. These include stronger crops that can withstand weather extremes, easier transport due to a prolonged shelf life, cost efficiency in production, and insect resistance. The script provides examples such as crops engineered to be more resistant to pests, reducing the need for pesticides.

💡Disadvantages

The script also discusses the disadvantages of GMOs, which are the potential negative impacts or risks associated with their use. These include the possibility of allergic reactions in humans, the development of superbugs due to increased pesticide resistance, and concerns over antibiotic resistance. The video aims to provide a balanced view by presenting these downsides alongside the advantages.

💡Insect Resistance

Insect resistance in the context of GMOs refers to the ability of crops to withstand insect attacks due to genetic modifications. The script explains that some GMO foods have been modified to repel insects, reducing the need for pesticide applications and potentially lowering exposure to harmful chemicals.

💡Nutritional Content

The video mentions that the nutritional content of crops can be altered through genetic modifications. This means that GMOs can be engineered to have a higher density of nutrients, such as vitamin A in rice, which can help address global nutritional deficiencies and improve overall health outcomes.

💡Global Warming

The script discusses the potential impact of GMOs on global warming, suggesting that the increased cultivation of plants and crops in various areas can lead to higher oxygen levels and lower carbon dioxide levels in the environment. This contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which is a significant environmental advantage of GMOs.

💡Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are highlighted in the script as a potential risk of consuming GMOs. This occurs when foreign genes inserted into the GMO crops introduce allergens that can trigger immune responses in humans. The video raises concerns about the unknown effects of these genetic modifications on human health.

💡Superbugs

Superbugs, as mentioned in the script, refer to pests that have become resistant to pesticides due to their exposure to stronger chemicals over time. The development of superbugs can be a consequence of GMOs that are engineered to resist pests, potentially leading to a decrease in food provisions and an increase in pesticide use.

💡Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a concern raised in the video in relation to GMOs. Some GMO plants are engineered to be resistant to certain antibiotics, which could potentially lead to the transfer of this resistance to humans. This contributes to the growing global issue of antibiotic resistance, affecting the effectiveness of these drugs in treating illnesses.

💡Outcrossing

Outcrossing is a term used in the script to describe the risk of GMO genes mixing with those of conventional crops, which can occur over large distances. This can lead to difficulties in distinguishing between organic and non-organic crops, posing challenges for the labeling and identification of non-GMO food products.

💡Biodiversity

The script touches on the potential impact of GMOs on biodiversity, which refers to the variety of life in a particular ecosystem. The concern is that the use of GMOs could harm certain organisms, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. This could occur if the removal of pests beneficial to one species also affects the food source for another, or if GMO crops prove toxic to certain organisms.

Highlights

Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) are created by altering the DNA through genetic engineering to embed traits not naturally present in the species.

GM foods offer both advantages and disadvantages, impacting agriculture and the environment.

GM technology can enhance the visual appeal of food by altering colors to improve perception of taste and nutrition.

Genetically modified crops can be engineered to withstand weather extremes and poor growing conditions.

GM crops can have a 'vaccine-like' resistance to diseases, encoded into their genes.

GMOs have a prolonged shelf life, facilitating easier and more efficient food transportation.

GM crops can reduce food waste and help alleviate hunger in developing regions.

The production of GMO crops is more resource-efficient, potentially leading to lower food prices.

Some GMO foods are modified to be insect-resistant, reducing the need for pesticide use.

Genetic modifications can enhance the nutritional content of crops, such as Vitamin A-enriched rice.

New GM crops are being developed for extreme climates, and for creating naturally decaffeinated coffee beans.

GM crops contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating global warming.

Genetic modification, or 'pharming', can produce proteins, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals more cheaply.

GM crops require less use of pesticides and herbicides, which benefits soil health and the environment.

GM technology may lead to a decrease in biodiversity due to potential harm to certain organisms in the ecosystem.

GM foods may cause allergic reactions due to the introduction of foreign genes and potential allergens.

There is a risk of creating superbugs due to the overuse of stronger pesticides on GM crops.

GM crops can lead to antibiotic resistance, which could impact human health and the effectiveness of medical treatments.

Outcrossing is a risk where GM genes can mix with conventional crops, complicating organic labeling.

GM components can be found in animal-based groceries, affecting the food chain and potentially honey as well.

The video suggests that the benefits of GM foods outweigh the cons, encouraging a balanced discussion on the topic.

Transcripts

Hey there viewers! Genetically Modified Food,  often classified as GMO’s are foods whose  

DNA has been modified. This is usually  done through genetic engineering where  

a new trait is embedded into the food which  does not occur naturally in their species.  

Foods produced using GM organisms  are often referred to as GM foods.

Although genetic modifications have occurred  throughout history with selective breeding  

and growing methods, scientific advances have  allowed this practice to advance further in  

today’s times. But Genetically modified crops  are usually regarded as double edged swords.  

This is because they come with a  set of advantages and disadvantages.  

In today’s video, we will tell you what they  are. From advantages like strengthening crops,  

insect resistance and being good for the  environment to disadvantages like allergic  

reactions to outcrossing and more, watch  till the end to learn about all of them.

First, the advantages:

They are more appealing to eat: Colors can be  changed or improved with genetically modified  

food so they become more pleasing to eat.  Deeper colors change how the brain perceives  

what is being eaten. Deeper red colors  make food seem sweeter, even if it is not.  

Brighter foods are associated with  better nutrition and improved flavors.

Does the color of food make it more  appealing to you or it doesn't really  

matter? Tell us quickly down  below in the comments section!

Stronger Crops: One of the main advantages of  GM technology is that crops can be engineered  

to withstand weather extremes. This means that  there will be good quality and sufficient yields  

even under poor or severe weather conditions. As  populations across the world grow and more land is  

being utilized, farmers are pushed to grow crops  in locations that are originally not suitable.

They also have to culture plants that can  withstand high salt content in soil and  

groundwater, not to mention long periods  of drought. GM helps them to grow healthy  

crops even in these conditions. Also, plants  that have been genetically modified can become  

more resistant to unexpected disease. Just think  of the technology as a vaccine for the species,  

except that it is encoded into their genes,  rather than being shot into their immune system.

Easier to transport: Because GMOs have a prolonged  shelf life, it is easier to transport them greater  

distances. This improvement makes it possible  to take excess food products from one community  

and deliver it to another that may  be experiencing a food shortage.  

GMO food gives us the opportunity to limit  food waste, especially in the developing world,  

so that hunger can be reduced  and potentially eliminated.

They are cheaper: GMO crops are  bred to grow efficiently. This  

means that farmers can produce the  same amount of food using less land,  

less water, and fewer pesticides  than conventional crops.

Because they can save on resources, food producers  can also charge lower prices for GMO foods.  

In some cases, the cost of food like corn,  beets, and soybeans may be cut by 15% to 30%.

Insect Resistance: Some GMO foods have  been modified to make them more resistant  

to insects and other pests. Toxic bacteria  which is safe for human use can be added to  

crops to make them repel insects. This means  the amount of pesticide chemicals used on  

the plants are reduced, so their exposure  to dangerous pesticides are also reduced.

Improved Nutritional Content: Genetic  modifications do more than add pest resistance.  

The nutritional content of the crops can be  altered as well, providing a denser nutritional  

profile than what previous generations were able  to enjoy. This means people in the future could  

gain the same nutrition from eating lesser amounts  of food. For example, rice can be genetically  

modified to produce high levels of Vitamin A.  This can help reduce global vitamin deficiencies.

New Products: New kinds of crops are being  developed to be grown at extreme climates,  

such as those present in dry or  freezing environments. As an example,  

scientists have developed a new type of tomato  that grows in salty soil. Another good discovery  

in genetic engineering is the exclusion of the  gene responsible for caffeine in coffee beans,  

creating decaffeinated coffee beans. The best  part is that these can then be grown naturally.

Decrease in Global Warming: Using GM, more  plants and crops can be grown and in more areas,  

including those that were  previously unsuitable for farming.  

This has led to an increase in  oxygen levels in the environment,  

decreased the proportion of carbon dioxide  and, in turn, reduced global warming.

In fact, a study found that genetically  modified crops have made a significant  

contribution to reducing greenhouse  gas emissions by over 10 million tons.  

This is equivalent to removing 5  million cars from the road each year.

Medical Benefits: Through a process called  “pharming,” it is possible to produce certain  

proteins and vaccines, along with other  pharmaceutical goods, thanks to the use  

of genetic modifications. This practice offers  cheaper methods of improving personal health  

and could change how certain medications  are provided to patients in the future.  

Imagine being able to eat your  tetanus booster with dinner  

instead of receiving a shot in the arm  – that’s the future of this technology.

Lesser use of pesticides and herbicides:  

Herbicides and pesticides create certain hazards  on croplands that can eventually make the soil  

unusable. Farmers growing genetically modified  foods do not need to use these products as often.  

This allows the soil to recover  its nutrient base over time.

Because of the genetic resistance  being in the plant itself,  

the farmer still achieves a  predictable yield at the same time.  

It also leads to less crops being destroyed,  which allows a better yield for the farmers.

Good for the environment: GM  crops often require less time,  

tools and chemicals, and may help with  reducing greenhouse gas emissions,  

soil erosion and environmental pollution. This  means that the general health and beauty of the  

environment that surrounds farms is improved.  This contributes to the preservation of better  

water and air quality, which can also  indirectly benefit everyone’s well-being.

Now let’s move on to the disadvantages  of Genetically Modified Foods:

Allergic Reactions: In humans, the number one  most common side effect of eating GM food is  

allergic reaction. This happens when a  certain allergen present in the GM crop  

enters the body and stimulates an immune response.

Genetically modified foods are created by  inserting foreign genes into an organism.  

This process is considered to have adverse  effects on humans because these inserted  

genes may carry along with them specific  allergens that trigger such an immune response.

In addition, there is also the fear that  new allergies could happen because of the  

mixing of genes from two organisms. And  because some inserted genes come from  

bacteria and viruses, the possibility  for transfer of disease is there, too.

May produce superbugs: When pesticides are  applied, a small number of pests usually  

tend to survive. So, the following generation  becomes resilient to the chemical, meaning either  

more pesticides are required or a stronger one.  With this stronger chemical, the insects become  

even more resilient; this eventually leads to the  growth of superbugs that decrease food provisions.

Bugs can be very pesky not just on crops, but  inside your house and garden as well. You can  

learn how to get rid of them by watching “8  Sure Ways To Permanently Get Rid Of Fruit Flies”

Now, back to the pros and cons  of Genetically Modified Food

Antibiotic resistance: There is  concern that genetic modification,  

which can boost a crop’s resistance to disease  or make it more tolerant to herbicides,  

could affect people’s ability  to defend against illness.

There is a small chance that the genes in food  can transfer to the body or bacteria in the gut.  

Some GMO plants contain genes that make  them resistant to certain antibiotics.  

This resistance could pass on to humans.  People around the world are becoming  

increasingly resistant to antibiotics and GMO  foods could be contributing to this crisis.

Outcrossing: Outcrossing refers to the risk of  GMO genes mixing with those of conventional crops.  

It can happen over large distances, where new  genes can be included in the offspring of organic,  

traditional plants or crops that are miles away.  

This means difficulty distinguishing which  crop fields are organic and which are not,  

posing a problem of not being able  to properly label non-GMO food.

Lower Level of Biodiversity: One potential  drawback of this technology is that some organisms  

in the ecosystem could be harmed, which in turn  could lead to a lower level of biodiversity.  

When we remove a certain pest that is harmful  to crops, we could also be removing a food  

source for a certain species. In addition,  genetically modified crops could prove toxic  

to some organisms, which can reduce  their numbers or have them go extinct.

May affect animal protein:  A huge majority of plants  

in the United States are genetically modified.  

Such crops are subsequently given to livestock  as food, which affects animal-based groceries.

GMO components can be traced in eggs, milk,  seafood and animal muscle tissues. In addition,  

honey can also contain components of GMO because  of bees pollinating genetically modified plants.

It’s pretty clear that the pros outweigh  the cons of genetically modified food.  

But there is food that you should eat regularly  for good health. Learn more about this by:  

Watching: Delicious Foods That  Contain Almost Zero Calories

Or

Find out what Nutritious Food  You Should Be Eating Every Day

These 2 videos will definitely help  you pick good food for better health.  

So go ahead and pick a video, or  watch them both for maximum benefits.

Do you prefer GMO or non GMO food and why?  Let us know in the comments section below!