How People and Earth Can Benefit from Genetically Modified Organisms

Introduction

Whether it is used to overcome the growing population’s hunger or to modernize agriculture and livestock practices, GMOs offer significant benefits in the current era. Evolution has always played a crucial role in everything that occurs on and near planet Earth. Eventually, these improvements have reached farming fields and cattle farms. Furthermore, scientists have acquired the technology to delve even deeper into the very core of life. Molecular organisms have become changeable subjects, contributing to significant advancements in the scientific field. These genetically modified organisms are a pure example of the evolutionary process, establishing the foundation for the present human society. Thus, enabling humanity to explore the spectrum of various biological organisms aligns with the fundamental purpose of nature. Incorporating GMOs into the everyday lives of billions of people offers tremendous advantages, including extensive food potential, the ability to alter and manufacture various genes for daily use, and, most importantly, the ability to assist with or cure harmful disorders.

How People and Earth Can Benefit from Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms promise a substantial increase in food production to meet the needs of the growing population. Statistically, crops with altered genomes yield significantly more production. According to Mission 2014: Feeding the World, biotechnology firms claim that transgenic crops promise more food with less land. GMO crops have been found to increase yields, with a 10 percent change to a genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crop yielding a roughly 1.7 percent increase in productivity (USDA, n.d.). Thus, genetically enhanced crops have the potential to produce a higher food supply. With the world population continuously growing, GMOs have the potential to keep the people of Earth fed. Moreover, transgenic farming crops are genetically altered for pesticide protection. This phenomenon is critical in producing an extensive food inventory. Significantly fewer goods will be lost to plant-eating bugs, ensuring more finished goods reach the market. While GMOs are optimal in combating hunger, the livestock industry also benefits from this invention.

The Role of GMOs in Livestock Industry

Food sources are not limited to crops; farm animals also play a crucial role. It is essential to meet the needs of these animals. According to Beef Research, available health indicators have improved over time, and productivity has continued to improve, likely due to improved management and genetic selection, at similar rates as observed in 1996 before the introduction of GE crop varieties (Beef Research, n.d.). Thus, the other food supply of the population also benefits from GMOs. When animals consume genetically modified crops, they demonstrate higher production rates and increased health factors. Therefore, modified genetic crops benefit humans by providing enough food and assist animals by making them healthier and more productive throughout their lifespan. Food is a critical factor in determining the usefulness of certain methods, but preserving the planet is equally essential.

Environmental Benefits of GMOs

Genetically modified organisms are highly beneficial to the planet's environment. Crops containing built-in insect resistance are much more environmentally friendly than traditional farming processes. According to Mission 2014: Feeding the World, the use of transgenic plants increases yields and decreases the need for pesticide use, thereby preventing significant ecological damage. GM pesticide-producing crops are engineered to produce Bt toxins, a crystal protein naturally synthesized by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that these toxins do not activate in the human gut and pose no risk to human health (EPA, n.d.). Thus, there appears to be minimal natural risk in using GMOs in farming methods. Moreover, the risk is decreased because engineered pesticides within crops are significantly healthier for the planet than synthesized pesticide sprays. Furthermore, genetically modified organisms have no adverse effects on living creatures, including humans. However, traditional bug sprays can lead to certain stomach problems. Conserving the planet is an important goal, but the ability to treat untreatable disorders is equally innovative and exciting.

Medical Advances with GMOs

GMOs possess immense potential in the medical field, as serious, historically untreatable disorders are now on the verge of extinction. Genetic editing allows for the alteration and modification of human DNA. According to The Tech Museum of Innovation, the only real option right now to fix genetic diseases is to use gene therapy. In gene therapy, the "good" version of a gene is introduced into a patient's DNA. The hope is that this healthy copy of the gene will overcome the problems of the diseased version (The Tech Museum of Innovation, n.d.). Thus, various genetic diseases have a strong opponent in genetic engineering methods. Therefore, genetically modified organisms within human DNA sequences have enormous potential to cure medical catastrophes. Moreover, with ongoing improvements in transgenic studies, humans will have the optimal ability to eliminate inherited disorders. A vast array of opportunities opens up due to the knowledge of genetic technologies.

Conclusion

Overall, GMOs are a significant positive contribution to the planet and its people. Evolutionary progress has always sought to improve and alter living organisms' lifestyles, and genetically modified organisms are a prime example of this process and desire. The future holds great potential for using such scientific advancements, promising the most revolutionary change in world history. Furthermore, GMOs are quite useful in the present as well. Papaya, a very exotic fruit, would have already gone extinct if not for gene replacement technology. Moreover, all the bananas consumed today are a pure example of genetic movement because all of the yellow fruit that humans enjoy are actually clones. Thus, positives are appearing everywhere, and most people don’t realize them until the information is researched and learned. Therefore, natural evolution is unique and powerful, and while mistakes are unavoidable, scientific evolution was created to address them.

References

• Beef Research. (n.d.). Beef Research. Retrieved from http://www.beefresearch.org/
• EPA. (n.d.). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/
• Mission 2014: Feeding the World. (n.d.). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2014/finalwebsite/
• The Tech Museum of Innovation. (n.d.). The Tech Interactive. Retrieved from https://www.thetech.org/
• USDA. (n.d.). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/