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What Is Genetic Engineering? Genetic engineering is set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms.Genes are the chemical blueprints that determine an organism's traits. Moving genes from one organism to another transfers those traits. Through genetic engineering, organisms are given new combinations of genes and therefore new combinations of traits that do not occur in nature and, indeed, cannot be developed by natural means. Such an artificial technology is radically different from traditional plant and animal breeding.
Monsanto Patenting Life
The Monsanto Company is a multinational agricultural bioteachnology corporation . It is the world's leading producer of herbicide glyphosate, marketed as "Roundup". Monsanto is also the leading producer of genetically engineered seed; it provides the technology in 90% of the world's genetically engineered seeds.Monsanto scientists became the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1982. Five years later, Monsanto conducted the first field tests of genetically engineered crops.Through a process of mergers and spin-offs between 1997 and 2002, Monsanto made a transition from chemical giant to biotech giant. Between the years of 2004 and 2005 Monsanto began issuing law suits many farmers from the United States and Canada. If farmers crops wee contaminated with seeds from Monsanto, farmers were sued for patent infringement. Farmers claimed the seed was unknowingly blown by the wind carrying the seeds from neighboring crops, a claim rejected by Monsanto. Thus causing many non Monsanto seed farmers to shutdown.
Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Food
Pros:
It is also said that genetically modified foods grow faster than the foods that are grown in the traditional manner. Due to this, productivity increases, providing the population with more food. Apart from this, it is claimed that genetically modified foods are a boon in places which experience frequent droughts, or where the soil is incompetent for agriculture, due to which it is difficult to grow normal crops.
Cons:
The biggest threat caused by genetically modified food is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics. Moreover, according to some experts, people who consume such foods have high chances of developing cancer. Besides, as these foods are new inventions, not much is not known about their long term effects on human beings. As the health effects are unknown, many people prefer to stay away from genetically modified foods.
Genetically modified foods as stated have there benefits, like being able to grow and mature faster. They also have there down sides, like having harmful effects on the body causing many problems with antibiotics. It is a very sensitive and risky operation, not just for the farmers, but for consumers all around the world. When big companies like Monsanto are able to patent and own organic life, it is something we should always be weary about.
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