Discuss why food crops are genetically engineered and summarize the public debate that has arisen about the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

(Answers may vary.)Crops are genetically modified to make them better resist disease and extreme environmental conditions (e.g., heat and frost), require fewer fertilizers and pesticides, last longer, and improve their nutrient content and taste. GMOs could help save billions of dollars by producing more crops and helping feed the hungry in developing countries around the world.Concern over the safety of genetically engineered foods has led to heated public debates in Europe and, to a lesser extent, in the United States. The concern is that genetic modifications create "transgenic" organisms that have not previously existed and that have potentially unpredictable effects on the environment and on humans. Also, there is some concern that genetically engineered foods may cause illness or allergies in humans and that cross-pollination may destroy other plants or create "superweeds" with herbicide-resistant genes. Some researchers believe that genetically engineered crops have increased usage of harmful herbicides, causing an overall negative impact on the environment.