Friday, January 28, 2011

No to GMOs - really?

After doing more research on GMOs I've come across a website that doesn't support genetically modified food. They make some pretty interesting points of discussion, mainly about safety and health risks.

 So a soya bean was genetically engineered with a gene from a brazil nut. If people are allergic to nuts the result would be an allerigic reaction- dangerous. However as long as there is a some type of label explaining this information it wouldn't be a problem. This is another problem GM foods aren't labeled? Should they be?
I think that labeling them would be appropriatet, however if consumers see that things are genetically modified I think they'll probably avoid buying them and then what will be the point in creating them. According to raw-wisdom.com, GMO companies are required to do their own testing and the FDA does not review the tests. If tess and research outside of the companies are performed then how do we know for sure that genetically modified foods are good?

Quesitons:
  • Why aren't GMOs or GM foods a big controversial issue in politics?
  • Why is GM food approved for sale without safety and health administrations testing its affects?
  • What would labeling these products do for the community, would it decrease certain health problems?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

GMOs- Golden Rice

GMOs are genetically modified organisms. Biotechnologists have studied certain organisms and made an effort to modify their genetics in order to alter certaing characterists among it. ut why alter its genetics? Altering the genetics of food or crops for example can produce more of it or enhance its nutrients. For example golden rice is an example of a gmo. This rice has been made more nutritous by inserting a gene in its genetics that gives it the ability to produce beta-carotene ( something like a vitamin). It also makes it that yellowy color. Making the rice more nutritious is beneficially to humans because the impoverished can get more nurishment out of this rice.

See the difference in color
Questions:
How do they mass produce the golden rice?
Is it really a good thing to have food genetically modified?
Could genetically modified foods and crops possibly solve world hunger?
If rice can be genetically modified to be more nutritious can candy be?