Genetically Modified and Organic Foods: Pros and Cons

genically Modified and radical Foods Pros and ConsIntroductionWith come extinct of the closet modern regimen achievement methods, the gentleman feed paucity would be in thus far to a greater extent(prenominal) of a crisis today. The contr oversial go away regarding entire and modern mountain payoff methods much(prenominal)(prenominal) as genetic modification, chemical additives and irradiation is a big issue in the world-wide nutrient sedulousness. The globose victuals shortage crisis is gaining momentum as the world is exposed to environsal disasters and the annihilative effects of global warming. A firmness may come from the developing Genetically Modified (GM) regimen industry or argon the bulky boundary effects of GM intellectual nourishment as well as much of a risk. They atomic number 18 increasely penetrating the market and argon replacing the indispensable, perfect feeds. Technology has interpreted over our lives and conductstyles and GM food for thoughts atomic number 18 read of a desperate attempt to keep up with the crippling population issue worldwide and the lack of equal food dispersion on that pointof. The controversy of the issue is weighted by the reality of the global food shortage crisis.What argon Organic Foods?Over the years the term has flipd to accommodate the new species of crops and varieties of animals. The genuine comment would be food that has non been manipulateed in all by the hire of technology or man-made activities. The foods maintain been fully openhanded in naturally fertilised soil, meaning that there is an absence of chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides. The crops consequently grow naturally by photosynthesis and they be then harvested, processed ( uncaseing, etc.) packaged and distri justed. there be really limited measuring rod of chemical additives such as preservatives, colourants, flavourants despite popular beliefs however they ar non exposed to irrad iation or radurisation. In terms of stemma and animal pose, the animals ar nurtured for in a natural environment such as one(a) that resembles their natural habitat. They argon free to roam slightly and salvage food such as free range chickens are allowed to roam and peck for food. The animal feed is not wield with man-made growth hormones or antibiotics or genetically modified beingnesss.Organic foods are supposed to be the biological, natural and traditional crops or animals that assimilate been close to since the dawn of time. Customary ferment styles prolong changed but the extreme principles eat up stayed the same.Fresh thoroughgoing foodThis classifies food that has not been processed and is change at raise store such as Everfresh, Fruit Veg urban center or small stales. The sire is bought from independent, small plate sellers that are ordinarily the farmers of the produce. This usually categorises fresh fruit and vege tabularises but it can be apply to classify fresh midpoint. However in todays technological society, fresh produce is not always organic. Loose fruit and vegetables are excessively in produce stores so the best way to identify organic produce is by reading labels. Another indication of organic produce is versed what seasons the fruits or vegetables usually grow and are harvested. Price is also an additional indication. Organic produce is usually to a greater extent expensive.Processed organic foodThese foods are found in grocery stores such as spar or Woolworths. These foods make water a high percentage of organic foods and do channel a limited amount of non artificial flavours or additives. The foods are preserved using natural preservatives such as high amounts of flavor or sugar. They are also downstairs strict restraints regarding their processing. They may also tend to be more expensive and have a shorter shelf life than non-organic processed products.Pros and cons of organic productionThe organic f ood industry has boomed by 70% worldwide and in round countries a high percentage of bulk have tapped into the organic food industry ascribable to wellness concerns and the alleged wellness benefits of organic food. The pros and cons are the issues that consumers are weigh every time they go shopping or secernate a meal or consume something. The organic food industry take advantage on the fact that their food is a upsurge healthier than GM foods or non-organic foods but that is not always the case.Pros of organic food productionOrganic food is generally good for the environment and our health but this varies according to the farm style, produce and scale of the farm. there are some(prenominal) reasons for this.Organic farms do not apply synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or chemicals when res publica. This substance that the crops can develop their own natural photochemicals via photosynthesis and protect themselves from insects and weeds. This means that they are naturally fortified with antioxidants, minerals and macro and micro vitamins. They have to fight off their natural predators and this environmental stress ensures that we exit consume crops with more vitamins and antioxidants without the health risk of chemical residues.The use of manure and compost is economical and altogether natural.The lack or minuscule use of artificial chemicals means that there is a much lower risk of contracting illnesses introduced by the violent chemicals. For example pesticides are known to have bruising effects on our health ranging from minor discomforts deal headaches to breast cancer. The chemicals are also modify to developing foetuses (as the pesticides cross the placenta and their immune system is undeveloped) and pregnant women (as their organs and soundbox systems are already under stress). They can also cause Parkinsons sickness.Antibiotics are not utilize in animal farming feeds meaning that their essence or pr oduce do not contain the antibiotics but they use their natural immune systems to fight diseases. The antibiotics can cause long term health complications. The antibiotics apply are very similar to ones utilize for humane use thus means that the eubstance will receive an over dose will cause harmful bacteria in our body to evolve and mute into a new drug resistant species. ontogenesis hormones are not used in animal feeds or pumped into their bodies. This means that they will develop naturally and mature when they are biologically supposed to. The health effects of these can only be sincerely seen in the long term but some are spare today. Girls and boys are maturing forrader their time and there are more stochastic hormonal, birth and growth defects than before.Additives and preservatives such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), hydrogenised fats, colourants and artificial sweeteners are not present in organic foods. They have been proven to be evil to human health.The lack of synthetic pesticides means that organic farming in not harmful to indigenous wildlife. It encourages vast range of biodiversity and a balance ecosystem. habilitate rotation promotes soil nutrition and a diversity of crops to grow. The solid food demand varies according to the plant and this means that the soil has time to fill again itself or by the use of nitrifying plants or cover crops such as legumes and beans or clovers. They also introduce new, beneficial insects to the ecosystem to kill off pests.Crop rotation also promotes a stronger top soil therefore simplification soil erosion ad harmful chemicals from being washed into rivers and streams wherefore contaminating valuable drinking water and lower levels of heavy metals from polluting, clean drinking water.Animals are in a free range environment meaning that they will develop muscles and strong bones and immune systems and their natural diet will enable them to live healthy, normal lifestyles.Organic farms produce less wa ste and are more energy efficient and use less energy.Organic farms do not need highly accomplished naturaliseers or very expensive equipment.Cons of organic food production in spite of the numerous benefits there are some concerning problems with organic foods but they too vary according to the farm produce and the size of the farm.The shelf life of organic foods is much shorter than GM or commode produced products because the lack of additives and preservatives decreases their shelf life (especially fruit and vegetables).Organic foods are a lot more expensive than commercial or mass produced foods in some cases 50%-100% more expensive. The organic industry marketing is largely based on the health benefits of organic food so some products may lead to be organic but do not meet the standards and eff heap out of their bullion.The limited amounts of chemicals will still have perverting effects in the long term.There is verbalize to be no proven results that there is a substan tial difference between nutritionary benefits with organic foods and fortified commercial foods such as commercially liberal cereals or juices.The natural manure used may contain harmful bacteria such as the E. coli bacterium which is fatal to human health if not treated. The farms also give off of gases (e.g. methane) that are harmful to the environment.Organic foods are not produced on a very big scale such as mass scale production so their consequence is much lower and would not be able to keep up with high demand for food. Hence the expense.Organic foods may not pure tone as appealing or appetising as commercially grown products or GM foods.Crop rotation is not subject to organic farming and it is not as energy efficient as it claims. No-till farming is a commercial farming technique and uses the least energy. (The process notwithstanding uses herbicides to unsnarl the filth eliminating the need to till or manage the land.)The farming styles may be too outdated and need i mprovement to lodge to the changing environment.Organic farming may not ensure food security to a mass population or sustain food fashions or veers. It is heavily dependant on seasonal change and brave so supplies are inconstant.Organic farming is tedious and hard work and requires space.What chemicals are used to aid the production and supply foods?Additives and preservatives are used largely in mass production products. They are added to food products to lift tasting, colour, and texture or to preserve the food in order for it to have an increased shelf life. This makes the food more aesthetically appealing and or steady taste better than usual. They are substances that are purposely added to food during the handling, processing or manufacturing stages of food. This is a selling gimmick but some additives are beneficial but they also have negative health effects. Examples of additives are Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common additives in barmy foods and tart azine (E102) is a yellow colouring also used in a motley of products. They are known to cause or aggravate allergies or even respiratory problems like asthma.Functions that the chemicals performMSG enhances the flavour and taste of savoury foods. It is a white crystalline substance that dissolves well into a variety of foods. It causes allergic reactions like swelling lips and vomiting.Tartazine (E102) is used to colour food yellow, like in margarine. It has been linked with asthma and hyperactivity in children.Additives generally are impressive against combating a variety of microorganismsAre not toxic to humans and animals (if taken in the right dosage)Are Water soluble (dissolve well in water)Add nutrient valueAre not damaged by temperature changes or bacteriaDo not affect the natural components of food. (Flavour, aroma, etc.)Are economicalWhat is genetic modification?Genetic modification is the process of technologically changing the genetic training of an organism to achie ve a coveted result. The biotechnology used or genetic engineering to create genetically modified crops or Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) entails extracting desirable genes from one organism and fusing them with another to create a new, improved breed or species of plant. The GM crops are then cultivated and introduced into the market. The traits make them more desirable and riddle the market easily. They are therefore cheaper, last longer and have an deepen nutritional value. In animals it enhances their productivity and quality of feed and produce (hormones, etc).Genetic modification is a complex practice laws need to be enforced such as the South African GMO Act (1997) that controls and monitors activity regarding GMOs. It is administrated by the National Department of Agriculture consisting of committee members from government bodies.GM was introduced to reach the high and strenuous demands for food because of the rapidly exploding global population. The food shortage crisis has however worsened over the years and throng are routine more towards GM products as a faster and cheaper solution as opposed to conventional or organic products. There are concerns almost health effects and are GM foods just as detrimental if not worse than commercial mass produced products.Is it the baddie that its reputation suggests? in spite of the widespread support for GM foods there is a large participation that strongly feels that they will cause more problems than solutions and that they are just prolonging the hark of causes of human death.Arguments in favour of GM productsIt is an advancement of traditional breed to keep up with the increasing food demands.GM crops use few chemicals than commercially grown or mass produced crops making them just as health as organic foods.They have a high go and their yield is constant.There is no sound evidence that GM production has an undesirable effect on the environment.Developing countries need the crops to feed th eir populations and are adopting the technology or receiving it as aid from first world or developed countries.It is quick, cheaper and less maintenance than wide scale farming or organic farming as it needs less space and fewer costs (chemicals, manure etc.)Arguments against GM productsThere is a scarcity of scientific testing results of the short term or long term effects of GM products.There is not replete technology and funding in the world to sustain everybody in the long term.The GM foods may contain versatile toxins unknown to man at the present time.GM crops will lead to a lack of biodiversity and a decrease the indigenous crops or animals having a negative environmental effect.They could increase susceptibility to allergens.The alterations of genes could also alter genes in our own bodies and pass them on to further generations.There are major ethical issues regarding GM foods.It is unclear as to whether or not GM foods are as bad as they are said to be but they expect to be the only working solution so far to combat the food social shortage global crisis. The need for GM foods is clear but the risk of eating genetically altered food is too high. The luxury of eating new fruits like grapples is inviting but the price of future generations health is alarming. GM foods are seemly a hazard posing as a luxury but if their constraints are limited they could serve a beneficial purpose such as alleviating the food shortage crisis. Genetic modification could be a food fashion or fad but judging by its popularity it is here to stay.What is radurisation?Radurisaton, also known as irradiation is the treatment of food using very short light or radio waves. This improves the foods shelf life, safety and its suitability. Electromagnetic radiation is the umbrella term for the unalike types of waves used scientifically. The Gamma rays are the shortest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and they are used to crystallize the food. The rays infiltrate deep into t he food and kill bacteria or insects as their biological cells are sensitive to the radiation. The waves can also retard potatoes from sprouting. The waves are generated by a specially treated metal called Cobalt 60 that is encased between double layers of metal rods because of the dangers of gamma rays the radurisation takes place under strictly controlled conditions. Different dosages are used according to the desired effect, if food is to be pasteurised than the dosage is less than equipment that needs to be sterilised.It is very popular and it is authorized by a number of international organisations such as the World Health agreement (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the American Medical Association. It is locally supported by The Department of Health. check to Act 54 of 1972 (in South Africa) all irradiated foodstuffs must be tagged properly showing the Radura symbol and only if approved by the minister of religion of Health or the Director General. Th e maximum dosage is 10 kiloGrey, transcendent this will be violating international regulations.The Radura SymbolWhat foods are irradiated?There are a variety of foods that are irradiated especially raw or highly sensitive foods that can be contaminated easily. They are divided into different classes starting from 1-11 the higher the class the more complex the application (the table attached illustrates this). A few of the common food stuffs are huskMaizeSpices and herbsFruits (e.g. strawberries)Vegetables (e.g. cauliflower)Meat (raw or frozen)PoultryFresh garlicloveTubers, bulbs and roots (e.g. potatoes)What are the pros and cons of irradiation?Pros of irradiationIt eliminates or reduces the amount of disease causing organisms in the food and other harmful bacteria. (e.g. salmonella, E. coli, listeria, etc.)It replaces the use of potentially harmful chemicals used to fumigate insects from crops.Irradiation meets international and national quarantine standards.It extends the shelf l ife of food especially raw fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry.It is a safe and effective method for treating food.The food does not take radioactive.Cons of irradiationThere is a minor reduction in vitamin message during irradiation.It cannot improve spoilt foodsFoods with a high percentage of fat change colour when they are irradiated.It does not improve or enhance the taste or appearance of the food.It can cause unpleasant flavours in indisputable foods.Skilled workers can only work with the equipmentThe equipment is expensive and needs timed maintenanceAnalysis of resultsWho was interviewed?I tried to tell apart a spectrum of candidates fall in age hence affecting their lifestyle elections.I surveyedParentsScholarsFriendsMembers of the Ballito residential areaChildrenThe results that I acquired are more or less what I had expected. There was an equal balance between the questions as to whether or not concourse agreed with the statement but I was surprised to see that 5out of the 15 concourse did not hypothesise that there was a global food shortage crisis. A lot of people did not have a vegetable garden which I had thought was a fad and more and more people felt safer when they ate their own produce. 10 out of the 15 people knew what genetic modification was and the same results were obtained when 10 out of the 15 people tell apart the pose definition for organic food.There is a trend regarding people being more aware of organic food and how influential food labels are and the effect on the environment. 10 out of 15 people were willing to spend more money on organic foods which is more evidence that organic food is suitable a big part of peoples lifestyle choices.0 out of the 15 people did not know what the Radura symbol indicated so it shows that there is a lack of consumer knowledge. Ultimately the general result regarding the controversial issue of GM foods relieving the food shortage crisis was that people strongly supported this theor y with 10 people choosing yes, 4 people choosing no and one person choosing not relevant.The following tables and graphs diagrammatically represent a few of the results from the surveyWhat are organic foods?What is Genetic modification? yield of people who rent the correct definition10Number of people who choose the correct definition 0Number of people who choose the wrong definition5 positive15Do GM foods influence your food choice?Do organic foods influence your food choice?Number of people who choose Yes7Number of people who choose No6Number of people who choose not applicable2Total15Are you willing to spend more money on organic foods?Number of people who choose Yes10Number of people who choose No5Number of people who choose Not applicable0Total15Do you have a vegetable garden?Number of people who choose Yes6Number of people who choose No9Number of people who choose Not applicable0Total15Do you think GM foods could alleviate the food shortage crisis?Number of people who choose YesNumber of people who choose NoNumber of people who choose Not applicableDo you believe that there is a global food shortage crisis?Number of people who choose YesNumber of people who choose NoNumber of people who choose Not applicablePersonal opinionThe information is reliable and valid as people answered the survey individually and they were anonymous and so they felt more tensile and honest with their answers. The results were bias in that all the candidates where from a similar monetary background and had access to more consumer information.The survey results did match with the literature results that I obtained. They were the same in terms of the lack of consumer knowledge and the growing trend of people moving towards organic foods for supposed health reasons. A lot of people thought that the organic farms had a good environmental contact but they were wrong so the information given to the public is not always fact making it misleading.Suggestions on how to improve the probeThe investigation was extensive and needed a lot of detail. I would survey more people and a wider spectrum ranging from a bigger lifestyle differences and income background in order for the results to be more accurate. The length and content of my survey/ questionnaire would be more specified so as to have a circus and set standard of what results should be required from the public. I would use a better organisational method of my information by mapping it out before is started my investigation in order to clearly know what I have to do. My time management would also need improvement in order to have more time to thoroughly go through my work and not be rushed for time. I would research more information in order to have more arguments regarding the investigation.ConclusionThere is evidence of a global food shortage crisis and it is clear that people have chosen to show a blind eye to the situation or actively combat it. The two major concerns as to whether or not they will al leviate the global food shortage crisis are clear Organic or Commercial mass produced food. There are rejoinder arguments that there is enough food supplied from the earth but misdistribution and greed have caused food to become scarce. The environment is also more versatile than it used to be due to global warming so extreme disasters and live on patterns are changing landscapes and available or potential farming land is becoming a scarcity. The growing population is also exceeding the environmental capacity to cater for it as there in not enough space to farm as it is cultivated for farming and there is a higher demand for food than there is a supply. The recent deferral is also another reason threatening food security and increasing oil prices threaten the transport of foods.Without the technological advances that man has created to bring more or less mass produced foods is a solution but a temporary one as repercussions are not yet evident but they will curb the success of m ass produced foods. Organic foods do not seem half as damaging but they too cannot sustain the flourishing population. The question remains as to whether or not to choose organic or GM food but for majority of the worlds population that is not an option so they have to rely on GM foods.The world would be in even more of a crisis if modern mass food productions but they need to refine their methods and strive to be as close to organic quality as possible, GM is not the answer, more needs to be done.