Group+4c

__**Introduction -**__ One of the big concerns that are coming to the United States today is; Should we use Genetic Engineered / Genetically Modified foods? Many citizens and farmers are concerned with the health risks that may come from these modified foods, and they have the right to be. Although there reasons in which Genetic Engineering could help the world out, such as being able to multiply their income and this will allow them to give more to the poor, but if these foods are not safe then it may end up getting the poor in hospitals which ends up hurting them more than helping them. I believe that until we find a way to get rid of 90% of these health risks then Genetically Engineered foods should NOT be brought into effect.

__**How Genetic Engineering Causes Health Problems -**__ While the Biotech Companies (who are the ones gaining the most from Genetically Modified foods) state that tests show modified foods are safe, other tests (from those who don't gain anything from these foods) state that "[|Genetic Engineering is imprecise and unpredictable.]" After stating that modified food is unpredictable, it shows that there can be times where there can be tons of food that gets too altered to the point where the whole "batch" of crops go to waste and then there is a point where there is very little crops being sent to the stores eventually bringing us to a "droubt". If we are to put money towards this Genetically Engineered food then we need to ensure that there will be no point in which error will occure and family's in America will have to cut down on the amount of fruits and vegetables that they will have to eat. Genetically Modiefied food is supposed to allow the poor to get the proper amount of food and nutrition, but if we have to cut down on the amount we eat becuase it's imprecise and unpredictable then the poor will not be able to get what we were trying to get them in the first place and it defeats the purpose.

__**Pesticides -**__ A pesticide is a bunch of chemicals that kill pests such as insects and weeds. Pesticides are used for reasons such as making "[|our fruits and vegetables look cosmetically perfect on supermarket shelves.]" What's all the fuss about with pesticides you may ask? The big problem with pesticides is that; some pesticide residues that are found in your food can "bio-accumulate" in your body which can end up harming the bodies hormoner systems, and in the United Kingdom alone, removing these pesticides has cost them £120m a year, which is the equivalent of 241.60800 million U.S. dollars. With the cost of war that we pay every single year, adding in $241.60800 MILLION is going to not help us out at all. Many people such as the Biotech Companies (remember they are the one's gaining the most from the foods so they are more apt to make up data in order to defend Genetic Engineered foods) state that there are in fact little to no pesticides that are contained inside of these foods, but there is data from the Pesticides Residues Committee back in 1998 to 2001 that shows that almost half of all the United Kingdoms fruit and vegetables have pesticide residue contained in them. I myself do not think that I want over half of my fruits and vegetables, the very thing that keeps us healthy, having pesticides in them which puts me and my health at risk.

Japan and Europe, citizens are already demanding that their governments lable whether or not food products are genetically motified or not, enabling them to choose between motified foods and organic foods while shopping. Although no profound health risks have been discovered as a direct result of enetically modifying foods, groups in the United States such as Greenpeace argue there may still be long term health risks to eating GM foods over time. Before we go about solving world hunger by offering people potentially risky food, we must first ask ourselves if the food is really the issue. The food crisis isnt necessarily being caused by a simple shortage of food. Politics and distribution may be more to blame than production. Just a small example is in 1993 when a Somalian warlord held red cross releif food from his people. Although there was a food crisis, it wasnt cause by a shortage of food, just by corrupt politics. We don't //need// to genetically modify plants. We don't need to take any risks. GM Products should be labled in the store so that we're able to consciously avoid such a risk, instead of not knowing any better.
 * __In Areas of the World Such As -__**

Quotes from scientists about the Dangers of Genetic engineering. **Dr. John Fagan** a P “When genetic engineers disregard the reproductive boundaries set in place by natural law, they run the risk of destroying our genetic encyclopedia, compromising the richness of our natural biodiversity and creating ‘genetic soup.’ What this means for the future of our ecosystem, no one knows.”

**Professor Mae Wan-Ho** at the Department of Biology, Open University, UK is very concered that this genetic engineering is highly dangerous for all humans. “In 1983, hundreds of people in Spain died after consuming adulterated rapeseed oil. This adulterated rapeseed oil was not toxic to rats.” Dr. Parke warns that current testing procedures for genetically altered foods including rodent tests do not prove safety for humans. He has suggested a moratorium on the release of genetically engineered organisms, foods, and medicines.

Dr. Norman Ellstrand a Professor of Genetics at the University of California states that... “The generation of genetically engineered plants and animals involves the random integration of artificial combinations of genetic material from unrelated species into the DNA of the host organism. This procedure results in disruption of the genetic blueprint of the organism with totally unpredictable consequences. The unexpected production of toxic substances has now been observed in genetically engineered bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals with the problem remaining undetected until a major health hazard has arisen. Moreover, genetically engineered food or enzymatic food processing agents may produce an immediate effect or it could take years for full toxicity to come to light.” Source: http://www.safe-food.org/-issue/scientists.html

I believe that until the United States finds a safer way to present these Genetic Engineered / Genetically Modified foods, then we should find a find safer ways of protecting crops and phasing out risky chemicals. Growing this Genetically Modified crops is proven to threaten some wildlife and the production of Genetically Modified free foods. "[|The irony is that we don't need GM food. The biotech industry says it will feed the world's poor - but leading third wolrd charities - like the Christian Aid - dismiss their claims.]" The Biotech companies claim to be able to do all of these great things for humanity such as; give the poor the proper nutrition and amount of food that they need, and that they can make all of this "safe" food that can multiply the amount of outcome that we already have, but in the United Kingdom it is proven that there are still pesticides in over HALF of the fruits and vegetables.
 * __Solution -__**