Genetically modified food

Extract

[...] There are many benefits of genetically modified foods. Pest resistance allows crop losses from insect pests to stop. Farmers usually use tons of chemical pesticides yearly. Farmers no longer have to worry about loss of money. Weed killers or herbicides give an substitute to a time-consuming and expensive system. Crop plants are genetically-engineered to be resistant to one powerful herbicide, which could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed. Monsanto has created soybeans that are genetically modified to be not affected by their herbicide product Roundup. [...]

[...] This planting method may not be feasible if too much acreage is required for the buffer zones.” The problem many people have with genetically modified food in our economy is, “Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. [...]

[...] But the technology is good technology.” Monsanto claimed it's genetically modified seeds are increasing farmers' profits and making it possible for them to use more environmentally-friendly pesticides. The public argue, "Ever since commercial introduction of its G.M. seeds, in 1996, Monsanto has launched thousands of investigations and filed lawsuits against hundreds of farmers and seed dealers. In a 2007 report, the Center for Food Safety, in Washington, D.C., documented 112 such lawsuits, in 27 states. Even more significant, in the Center's opinion, are the numbers of farmers who settle because they don't have the money or the time to fight Monsanto. [...]

[...] However, the grant that funded the creation of these two rice strains was not renewed, perhaps because of the vigorous anti-GM food protesting in Europe, and so this nutritionally-enhanced rice may not come to market at all.” Also, Pharmaceuticals Medicines and vaccines frequently are costly to produce and require special storage conditions not readily available in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes. These vaccines will be easier to ship, store, and administer than traditional injectable vaccines. [...]