There are many arguments against genetically modified plants; I recently went to a farm in Michigan where they specifically raise genetically modified (GM) crops. I learned a lot around the tour and gained some insight why people are so against GM food. With the knowledge I have gained I want to explain why we shouldn’t be afraid of GM food.
The typical article about GM food, especially in Michigan a typical article would be presented like this. This shouldn’t change our opinion against the actual facts of GM plants when they could help and save parts of the world.
Crop Cloning
When a great sized crop is grown through the normal steps of farming this crop can be cloned. This will ensure that other crops will fit to this standard and dramatically increase food grown and the quality of it. This allows us to get more of a great tasting quality food for cheaper. By cloning it will be perfect every time.
Nutrition
In our diets we are always concerned about the quality of food that we consume and how it affects our bodies. With GM crops the effects and nutrition can be controlled and perfected so we are getting the best possible nutrition from these foods. This will stop any plant defects that could cause the nutrition value to go down.
Under Developed Countries
Countries which have heavy drought periods and need more food to aid their population can be helped with GM crops. These crops can be modified to have drought tolerance while containing all the essential nutrition. The size of these crops will also be large enough to feed a family which would help these countries in times of need.
Increased Defenses
Crops are always in danger in certain weather and this can cause bad farm for a year and a lack of fruit and vegetables. With genetic modification these plants can be built to resist certain weather, survive dry spells and be undamaged in rough downpours. Resistances to diseases and herbicides can also be modified in these plants meaning there would no unforeseen natural cause to effect plant growth.
Pollution
The soil we are growing crops in is becoming increasingly polluted. Heavy metals and certain chemicals are being introduced to soil making it hard for plants to grow. Recently a set of GM crops at Michigan have been modified to grow in heavy metal contaminated soil. This is creating more alternatives and places that GM crops can grow where a normal crop wouldn’t stand a chance.
Future
GM crops can benefit the future, with resources being spent on vaccines and cures for diseases. What if certain plants would passively contain these treatments allowing use to build our immune system simply eating fruit or vegetables. This is being worked on in the labs at Michigan, they say the potential is there but it still goes undetermined if it will become reality. Would Pharmaceutical companies be put out of business if you could simply eat a banana when you have a headache? Perhaps this is a fear for some but the people would benefit from this technology.
