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Nick Johnson
05/4/15
Professor Celestino
English 1010
Argument Essay
Genetic Engineering in Agriculture
What if there was a way to help the world hunger issues? Or a way to make food taste
better? How about reviving trees to repopulate forests? Well, groups for Agricultural Genetic
Engineering and U.S Legislation could make this possible, as well as improve production rates
and plant life for farmer’s crops, and be able to let plants resist infectious bacteria and fungus
from taking the plant and killing it. Genetic Engineering does have its detractors, saying it can
cause health issues for humans and animals through the changing of vegetation's DNA that can
take away from the original nutrition value it produces, and using pest and herbicide chemicals to
help it survive can poison humans eating the vegetation, but I will argue that the costs outweigh
the benefits.
Increases in productivity brought about by genetic engineering can help relieve many of
the problems faced by farmers caused by pests and diseases that kill their crops by making the
plants and vegetation resist infectious fungal and bacteria that can kill it. It could also potentially
create better diets for humans by making the taste and overall look of fruits and vegetables much
better, as well as revive world-wide forests by replenishing them and reviving lost trees caused
by deforestation acts, or infections caused by diseases and insects.
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The benefits alone of combating deforestation make this a just practice. The reasons for
deforestation are many, but it ultimately comes down to businesses making a profit. A side-effect
of their aim to achieve maximum profit is they are degrading the quality of the soil, they are
contributing to lowering global oxygen levels, and they are creating unhealthy environments for
animals living in these areas, which can end up killing animals, often threatening extinction.
Deforestation also kills living organisms that help trees grow and create the oxygen
around the world. But what scientists are noticing is that these trees can’t grow back once they
are cut down, and forests around the world being depleted.
But what if there was a way to revive trees so that our forests can be replenished, and are
able to make trees grow back when they are cut down? Through Genetic Engineering this could
become very possible. In an article by William Powell, he discusses the efforts to revive trees,
specifically the American chestnut tree. Chestnut trees provide different resources such as food
and ethanol fuel, as well as strong and sturdy lumber.
Powell says “The culmination of decades of research suggests that science can restore the
tree and all the resources it once provided for people and wildlife” (Powell). To be able to revive
this tree and its resources, they mate the American chestnut tree with the fungus-resistant
Chinese chestnut tree, they then take the hybrid of these two trees and put it into other American
chestnut trees hoping it keeps all the genes responsible for reproduction. By allowing the
reproduction of trees, the practice can lead to repopulated forests and jungles and raise the
oxygen levels, as well as making a fungal resistance for the trees, allowing them to revive
themselves and keeping fungus from killing them.
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Genetic Engineering would also make it possible for fruits and vegetables to have more
taste to them. In an article by Ferris Jabr he discusses the efforts made on certain fruits and
vegetables to make them tastier, and how at their ripping peak is the only time they are at their
tastiest. One fruit he discusses is the cantaloupe. The best time to eat a cantaloupe is at its peak
ripeness just before it goes to soft. Jabr says “toward the later stages of a cantaloupes
development, a burst of the hormone ethylene causes the fruit to ripen and soften quite quicker”
(56). This burst of the cantaloupes hormones causes a lot of problems, because of its speedy
puberty, it makes transporting the cantaloupe across states or the across the country problematic.
Even using ice to transport the cantaloupe made it turn to mush by the end of the shipment.
Jabr visited Monsanto’s molecular breeding laboratory in Woodland, California. He
discusses the process and machines used to make fruits such as the cantaloupe and vegetables
tastier. They use a seed chipper that shaves off a sliver of the seed for DNA analysis, then
another robot extracts the DNA from that seed and adds necessary molecules and enzymes that
tag that relevant gene. They use fluorescent tags to mark the gene, and another robot is able to
amplify the number of these tags to measure the light they emit and determine whether a gene is
present. This tagging technique is called marker-assisted breeding allows the process of making
fruits and vegetables a lot faster and cheaper.
Jabr says “both private companies and universities have managed to create a cornucopia
of more flavorful, colorful, shapely, and nutritious fruits and vegetables” (60). By allowing fruits
and vegetables to taste better, could make people want to eat them more, which could lower
global obesity rates, and be in more human diets, making the world healthier. By modifying their
appearance can make them more attractive which could make you want to buy them, and even
want to eat them more.
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In an article called Genetic Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment, written by
Maurizio Paoletti and David Pimentel, they say “Genetic Engineering technology has
dramatically reduced the time required for the development of new commercial varieties of
crops” (665). Also discussed are plants that were able to resist insects such as the caterpillar and
beetles.
By making plants resist these insects allow the plant to keep growing, and keep it from
dying. Also, a plant pathogen is engineered to resist a plant to bacteria that could potentially kill
the plant, as well as contaminate other plants around it, eliminating a lot of produce and become
a major blow to farmer’s crops. Another problem for plants are weeds. Scientists are developing
a resistance to control weeds and become resistant to herbicides. These resistant approaches can
improve farming crops, and allow a higher volume of product to be produced and not lost due to
bacteria, and other harmful disease to plants.
In the world today there are a lot of people who are without food. With the world hunger
rate so high, the look towards genetic engineering and farmers is in supply and high demand. The
US Food and Drug Administration approved the first genetically modified organisms for
commercial sale in 1994.
In the article Genetic Engineering, the Farm Crisis, and World Hunger written by Carl
Jordan, he discusses the demand to help world hunger through genetic engineering. Jordan says
“It is claimed that the increases in productivity brought about by genetic engineering can help
relieve problems faced by farmers by decreasing the losses caused by pests, disease, weeds, and
other stressors” (523).
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In the article by Jordan, many farmers testified that planting genetically engineered plants
increased their income because of the increased production and fewer losses to pests and
diseases. With the US Food and Drug Administration approving farmers to grow and sell
genetically modified plants, approvingly increases production and shows that fewer crops
weren’t lost due to pests and diseases.
It also could be a solution to help world hunger by being able to produce more product to
supply to more countries and more people who are in need of food. Jordan discusses the world
hunger crisis and efforts made to help it. One effort he uses is called “Green Revolution” (525).
Green Revolution is a combination of crops that were breaded to take advantage of these new
chemicals, as well as supplying tractors, cultivation, equipment, and irrigation systems in
underdeveloped countries.
Jordan says “During two decades of Green Revolution in Southeast Asia, United Nations
show that the total food available per person in the world rose by 11 percent, while the estimated
number of hungry people fell by 16 percent” (525, 526). If the world could help supply
underdeveloped countries grow genetic engineered crops and lower hunger rates, the world
hunger crisis could lower more and more and help countries supply food for the hungry and
eventually supply the whole country.
There are several different types of crops that genetic engineering can produce. First,
Herbicide-Resistant crops which is to produce plants and seeds that can resist and tolerate
Roundup products. Second, Pest-Resistant crops which produces its own pesticide to kills insects
that are known to damage crops. Third, Protein-Producing Crops which is creating crops that
produce pharmaceutical proteins from within the plants themselves.
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In an article written by Peter Garnham called Genetic Engineering in Plants, he discusses
these three different crops, and how there are two considerations for these three different crops.
The first consideration being the environmental effects that is caused by the plants that are grown
in farm fields. The second being the health effects on humans, animals, insects, and other
organisms when the plants are grown and eaten.
Herbicide crops have several different chemicals used that are harmful to humans,
animals, and other organisms Pest-Resistant crops have major effects insects. The pesticides
affect the central nervous system of the insects, which can cause paralysis and death. Protein
Producing crops have unknown effects on human and farm animals. All the studies that were
done came back to be safe and harmless. If scientists were able to get all of these crops to be safe
and healthy on humans, animals, and other organisms could be beneficial for farmers and crops.
Garnham discuss GMO, or Genetically Engineered Organisms. Garnham says “Genetic
Engineering and GMO are not the same thing, GMO is used to describe plants that result from
Genetic Engineering” (20). Genetically Modifying is taking a plant or fruit and enhancing it to
make it look better, taste better, or resistant different pesticides or even herbicides. GMO can be
looked as a good or a bad thing to plants, or fruits. The good being that plants can’t can resist
products that can kill them. The bad being that it takes away from the original fruit or vegetable
itself, and people buying that product don’t like that it has been modified.
What if there was a way to modify a food without adding anything to it? In a periodical
written by Ron Smith called GMO peanuts could improve health, he discusses the approaches
toward turning genes off instead of adding modifications to peanuts. Smith says “scientists now
know how to change a plant without adding genes” (6). By turning off genes, instead of
modifying the peanut, it could potentially be without the peanut allergy which make peanuts
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healthier to eat for some humans. Smith says “potential to increase the amount of folic acid in
peanuts also holds promises for an even healthier product” (6).
If turning off the peanut allergy gene, and turning up the amount of folic acid inside the
peanut makes the peanut become healthier and not a risk for humans that are allergic to peanuts,
as well as allows humans to involve peanuts into their diets. Smith says “a big challenge will be
consumer acceptance” (6). If the product isn’t being sold, scientists will have no money to be
able to research a peanut without the peanut allergy, smith says “to continue research, they will
need $1 million to go through the hurdles necessary to release a variety” (6). Through genetic
engineering, and with the amount of funds required to research, a peanut without the peanut
allergy could be produced and making the peanut healthier to eat.
What really is the future of Foods? In an article written by Linda Bren called The Future
of Foods, she discusses Hawaiian farmers in the mid 1990’s, and an insect-borne virus, also
known as the papaya ring spot virus (PRSV). “Papaya crops are Hawaii’s second-largest fruit
crop” (29), says Linda Bren. Obviously, papaya’s are a very delicate fruit source to Hawaiians,
and losing the crops that grow there papaya’s would be a major blow to their island.
In her article, Bren says “years of research were finally met with success, and by spring
of 1998. Hawaiian farmers were planting the seeds of PRSV-resistance papaya” (29). In the
article, Bren interviews Dennis Gonsalves, who led the researchers’ efforts to save the tropical
fruit. Gonsalves said “they isolated and copied a virus gene, then used a gene gun to shoot the
gene into the cells of the papaya plant” (29). Bren went on to say “the virus gene in the plant
works like immunization” (29).
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Through genetic engineering, scientists were able to create a resistance for the papaya
fruit, and save one of Hawaii’s most delicate fruits grown on their islands. Further into her
article, Bren says “bioengineered foods do not pose any risks for consumers that are different
from conventional foods” (30). The FDA makes sure there are no hazards, such as allergens, or
any poisonous bacteria in the foods that are made. As well as making sure that the food is not
changed that would affect the nutritional value of the food itself.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is a group of scientists that are working towards
healthy foods and farms, and transforming food systems to ensure healthy grown food on farms.
On their website, ucsusa.org, genetic engineering has become a key component in agriculture.
Also, that genetic engineering has performed well in real-world settings, and it produces less
costly crop breeding and sustainable farming methods.
The UCSUSA doesn’t only works in the Food and Agriculture field, they work for clean
energy, clean vehicles, global warming, nuclear energy, and nuclear weapons. This group is very
credible in the fact that their main mission is to make a healthy plant and a safer world. The
UCSUSA determined that the demand for palm oil was one of the major driver of tropical
deforestation. They have made a campaign to pressure companies such as General Mills,
Hershey’s, and Wilmar, which is the world’s largest palm oil trader, to commit to a sourcing of
palm oil that is deforestation-free. The UCS is a group that makes changes for a healthier plant,
and stands up to major companies that use resources that make our planet unhealthy.
Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms create some issues for humans
to argue. One issue is the health concerns it can bring to human health. By changing the DNA,
and how it tastes, it takes away from the original fruit or vegetable itself. Another argument is
that GMO’s can spread through nature and contaminate environments that are natural organisms.
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Also, once GMO’s are released they cannot be undone and cannot be fixed. Humans argue that
natural organisms should remain natural, and messing with natural genes to improve agriculture
products is dangerous and could potentially be catastrophic.
In conclusion, genetic engineering can enhance fruits and vegetables appearance in its
color, size, and overall look, as well as making it taste better through DNA analysis using a seed
chipper to extract the DNA from the fruit or vegetable. Gains in genetic engineering has allowed
the American chestnut tree to regrow and revive all its resources that it produces. By reviving
trees could lead to the repopulation of global forests and jungles that have been damaged by
groups sent to cut down trees for businesses to have product and supply to sell.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved farmers to use genetically
engineered plants to grow on their crops, which has been testified to have increased their income,
and lowered the loss of plants due to pests and diseases. Not only was the approval beneficial for
farmers, but it has helped undeveloped countries have food for people who are without food and
are in need for food to survive. There have been three different types of crops developed that are
genetically engineered crops to help plants fight pest, and herbicides, and the third being a
protein producing crop. Genetic Engineering can be beneficial if it can be approved, and allowed
to be used in the agricultural field.
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Works Cited Page
Bren, Linda. "Genetic Engineering: The Future Of Foods?." FDA Consumer 37.6 (2003): 28-34.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
Garnham, Peter. "Genetic Engineering Of Plants." Horticulture 112.2 (2015): 20-23.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
Jabr, Ferris. "Building Tastier Fruits & Veggies." Scientific American 311.1 (2014): 56-61.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
Jordan, Carl F. "Genetic Engineering, The Farm Crisis, And World Hunger." Bioscience 52.6
(2002): 523. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
Khaliluev, M., and G. Shpakovskii. "Genetic Engineering Strategies For Enhancing Tomato
Resistance To Fungal And Bacterial Pathogens." Russian Journal Of Plant Physiology
60.6 (2013): 721-732. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
Paoletti, Maurizio G., and David Pimentel. "Genetic Engineering In Agriculture And The
Environment." Bioscience 46.9 (1996): 665. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Apr.
2015.
Powell, William. "The American Chestnut's Genetic Rebirth." Scientific American 310.3 (2014):
68-73. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
Smith, Ron. "GMO Peanuts Could Improve Health." Southeast Farm Press 35.11 (2008): 6-11.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.
Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ucsusa.org/>.