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Dante
The dangers of genetically modified food
Genetically modified food is a hot issue.
While most research indicates that genetically modified foods are fine to eat,
this sample essay explores how the use of extra hormones and other changes in
the food supply can have a negative effect on human health.
Though this is just a brief overview, there
are many in-depth studies and this is an excellent topic for a more advanced
research paper.
In essence, by consuming very specific types
of modified foods, humans may be ingesting harmful and disruptive amounts of
various chemical compounds and hormones to which they are not accustomed.
The rise of genetically modified food
Genetically modified food has been a subject
of controversy for some time now.
Since the 1990s, food and food ingredients
from genetically engineered plants have made their way into the food supply of
the United States.
In 1994, the first GMO food hit the
supermarkets in the form of a tomato called the Flavr Savr, which boasted
delayed ripening.
These days, much of the food that sits on
store shelves contains an ingredient that has been genetically modified. These
food products also include chicken.
While some argue that GMO chickens are
healthier and result in higher production in the country, there are clearly
many health dangers to eating genetically modified chickens and chickens that
are fed with GMO ingredients.
Many years ago, food was simple and
healthier.
But since DNA was isolated in 1935,
scientists have been focused on creating genetically engineered organisms,
including plants and food.
Chickens are not the only foods that are
modified, but they are a major part of the agricultural economy of this
country.
Though a great deal of scientific writing has
been done on both sides of this argument, there is no doubt that the dangers of
this common food source have the potential to affect millions of consumers,
including children.
How hormones in GMO food affect growth
Growth in chickens
They are tube-fed multiple antibiotics and
growth hormones in large doses, which results in health problems.
According to PETA, the average breast of an
8-week-old chicken is seven times heavier today than it was 25 years ago” (“The Chicken Industry").
The unnatural gain in weight causes the
chickens to die of lung issues and heart attacks.
The heart and lungs cannot keep up with the
accelerated growth of the rest of the chicken’s body, and many chickens die
from heart failure.
Growth in humans
These growth hormones are a big risk to
people’s health.
Studies have shown
that “hormone residues found in meat from these animals can disrupt the
consumer's hormone balance, cause developmental problems, interfere with the
reproductive system, and even lead to the development of cancer” ("Vegetarian
Guide.").
Women who are pregnant and children are even
more susceptible to these detrimental health effects.
However, The Poultry Site insists that growth
hormones are not injected into the poultry that consumers purchase and eat.
They contend that the chickens are bigger and
plumper because they are selecting the best birds for growth and performance as
well as the fact that they are successfully meeting the nutritional and
environmental needs of the chickens.
What farmers feed poultry
Chickens are fed genetically modified corn
and soybeans
Another health concern for poultry eaters lies
in the feed that the chickens are given.
Farmers in animal agriculture have fed their
poultry corn and soybeans that are genetically modified since 1996, and this
has all occurred right under the oversight of the United States government.
According to the
National Chicken Council, “more than 80 percent of the corn and soybeans
grown in the US are raised from genetically modified seeds,” which means
that “almost all corn and soybean used in conventional livestock and poultry
production is genetically modified” ("Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
Use in the Chicken Industry”).
Genetically modified feed means that the
chickens have GMOs already in their system when they are purchased by
consumers, even if they are not injected with hormones but given the GMO feed.
This means that the GMOs are ingested by
people when they eat these chickens.
The government contests that the GMO feed
given to chickens is absolutely safe.
According to the
National Chicken Council, “There has been no scientific evidence of any
compromise to animal health whatsoever from the ingestion of genetically
modified feed ingredients. In fact, since 1996, overall chicken health has improved
and U.S. production has increased by 43 percent” ("Genetically
Modified Organism (GMO) Use in the Chicken Industry”).
However, they make no mention of its safety
to humans.
Arsenic in chicken feed
Arsenic is a cancer-causing substance that
has also found its way into the chickens that Americans eat.
According to Global
Research, “the FDA says its own research shows that the arsenic added to the
chicken feed ends up in the chicken meat where it is consumed by humans” (“FDA Finally Admits
Chicken Meat Contains Cancer-Causing Arsenic").
This means that for the last sixty years,
consumers who eat conventional chicken have also been eating arsenic.
Some farmers and companies go GMO-free
There are farmers who will only feed their
poultry and livestock with GMO-free feed.
They have received GMO-free certification for
four of its poultry feed products.
The company has done this because of huge
consumer demand for healthy chickens that are free of antibiotics, hormones,
and genetically modified feed.
The push toward GMO-free food
GMO-free food is becoming extremely popular
in consumers’ choices these days.
This is why there should be more companies
such as the Buxton Feed Company that are committed to the health and well-being
of their consumers.
There should also be more farmers who stand
up for using feed that is free of genetically modified organisms and avoid
injecting their chickens with hormones and antibiotics.
GMO-free chicken and other foods will
hopefully be the food of the future.
Author
Dante
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Dante
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I
am a freelance writer and blogger that specializes in academic content. I
frequently blog about writing tips and provide sample work
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