Safety Of Genetically Engineered Foods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Safety Of Genetically Engineered Foods - Essay Example Various organizations across the world have raised concern about the use of GM foods. The organizations have criticized the agribusiness sector for maximizing their profits without taking the health of citizens into consideration. The government too is facing the blame for not passing policies that could regulate the foods. The genetically modified foods cause environmental hazards. The foods cause harm to other organisms. Experts gave the example of pollen grains from modified corn plan. It resulted in an increase in mortality rates in the butterfly caterpillars. It is obvious butterfly caterpillars do not consume cones, but the wind could blow toxins from the cones into their food (Carter, 2011). Toxins from GM foods kill many organisms. Researchers have found it hard designing toxins that could only be harmful to bad insects. It is proof that the toxins pose potential risks to the survival of organisms. GM foods pose a threat to the effectiveness of pesticides. They make pesticides that fight harmful insects to be useless. Example of this is the DDT pesticide. The toxins from GM foods made mosquitoes be resistant towards the pesticide. There are objections to this point of view. Some researchers argue that the toxins being a threat to the effectiveness of pesticides are a good idea (Subramanian, 2007). They argue that pesticides cause ecological damage. The researchers do not consider the harmful side of the insects. GM foods produce Bt toxins. The researchers argue that the Bt toxins would help clear the effects of synthetic chemical pesticides. The GM plants could be harmful to beneficial insects. The Bt toxin could kill insects within a very short time. There are insects that assist in controlling maize pests, for example, the green lacewings.