Agriculturally, this refers to seeds and plants that have had their genetic material altered. Their genetics are altered to create a more productive plant and a plant that is resistent to harmful environmental factors. Some of these hindrances include insect damage, harmful bacteria, and bad weather conditions.
Wether or not GMOs should be used to produce food around the world is a highly discussed topic by many people in our world today. This issue one
of the hottest controversies in the agricultural section of the economy.
The majority of the world's population is opposed to the use of GMO's to produce foods. Many of these people fear certain health aspects that can be caused by the genetic alteration. So far there is no research that supports these fears. Other people that are skeptical of this addition to the agriculture world, see it as a threat to the way that things have always been. People tend to fear the unknown, but I believe that GMOs will be desperately needed in the next 30 years of our lives.
Many researchers have estimated that our population will have grown from 7 billion people to 9 by 2050. These same researchers also estimate that the world's demand for food will have increased by 70% in this time as well. This large demand for food and our limited resources of land and labor all mean one thing. We do not have the means to produce the food that is needed in the next 30 to 40 years. We must reach outside of our normal processes to meet this need. (The facts above were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization and can be found at this site: http://gmopundit.blogspot.com/2009/10/70-percent-more-food-needed-by-2050.html)
GMOs can do a lot of things for our planet. They can produce more output of a crops per seed planted. GMOs are also highly resistant to environmental factors that would destroy traditionally grown plants. Third world countries could benefit greatly from GMOs. Many of these countries suffer from harsh biological and weather conditions. The opportunity for these developing countries to grow more food would not only improve their quality of life, but it would also stimulate their local economy. Larger counties like the US and China will need GMOs because of their ever increasing population numbers. If you have more people, you need more food.
While switching to GMO growing tactics can be scary because it has not been thoroughly tested and practiced, it is the right decision. We must protect our future. We must be willing to take a risk to receive a necessary reward. These GMO seeds and plants could change the world forever. I hope that further research will agree with the current evidence of no health differences. Get on board or starve.
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