Table of ContentsEconomic benefitsDisadvantagesSocial implicationsAdvantagesDisadvantagesGenetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs, refer to any living organism whose genetic makeup has been altered by scientists under laboratory conditions and is not produced naturally. These days, they are found in almost everything, with the most common types of GMO crops being corn, papaya and canola. GMOs were introduced in 1973 by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen. They were the first to successfully implant genes from one organism into another. GMOs have many advantages, such as their longer lifespan, better taste, and the ability to make them healthier than conventional crops. With these benefits, GMOs will likely help reduce the number of hungry people and combat world hunger. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay World hunger is one of the greatest challenges of our time. According to www.worldhunger.org, "The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that about 815 million people of the world's 7.6 billion inhabitants, or 10.7 % were chronically undernourished in 2016. » On average, 11 million people do not receive enough nutrients and suffer from malnutrition in developing countries. The two main causes are food insecurity and malnutrition. Due to food shortages in rural areas and decreasing access to adequate nutrition; people end up starving, which leads them to live an unhealthy and proper lifestyle. Malnourished people do not meet their daily nutritional needs, leading to a weakened immune system and the risk of getting sick easily. Malnutrition also has serious consequences on the health of children. By suffering from malnutrition, they would experience stunted growth and lose insufficient weight. They are also more likely to contract diseases like Kwashiorkor, which is swelling of the face, limbs, and feet due to a deficiency in dietary protein.Economic BenefitsGMO crops have benefited the economy in several ways. In 2014, Brookes and Barfoot (two directors of PG Economics) predicted that the global economic benefits of genetically modified crops would exceed US$17 billion, reaching collectively US$150 billion, between 1996 and 2014. Brookes and Barfoot also estimated that about 158 ​​million tons of soybeans and 322 million tons of corn were produced. These production rates have helped increase food security. According to an analysis of several studies on the impact of genetically modified crops conducted by Klümper and Qaim, it was found that pesticide use decreased by 37%, production increased by 22%, and farmers' income increased. by 68%. A survey conducted by Subramaniam and Qaim showed that vulnerable households, i.e. those earning less than $2/day, saw their income increase by 134% thanks to the cultivation of Bt cotton. Here are just a few examples of the many benefits of genetically modified crops, which have helped boost the international economy and help farmers earn a more stable income, providing them with better livelihoods. Disadvantages The seed industry has consolidated quite quickly since the commercialization of GMOs. . 60% of the marketseed is owned by only 4 companies, with seeds for specific crops dominated by Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta and Dow; which own 80% of the corn market and 70% of the soybean market. Due to the fixed market, farmers suffered huge losses. According to USDA data, the cost of soybean and corn seed per acre increased dramatically between 1995 and 2014, by 351% and 321%, respectively. The International Journal of Food Contamination said that just under 400 cases of GMO contamination have occurred in 63 countries. Crops are contaminated when pollen from GMO crops spreads into neighboring fields via insects, birds or wind; creating “genetic drift”. These “genetic drifts” create changes in the genetic heritage of crops. It is difficult to avoid these abuses, and due to the lack of rules and regulations; this prevents seed companies from being liable for seed damage and puts the burden on farmers who end up paying the price. The consequences of contamination include drastic economic losses, as GMO farmers face rejection from export companies that do not accept GMOs. crops. While organic farmers who suffer from contamination of their crops risk losing their organic certification and the extra money they earn from their organic products. As people begin to purchase non-GMO products, farmers are beginning to turn to organic or non-GMO markets that cost more than others. However, the difficulty of separating different types of crops by companies risks causing farmers to lose these alternatives. the amount of nutrients present. This could help improve food security while gradually reducing food insecurity. Genetically modified crops could bring economic benefits to farmers; positively influencing their accessibility to food. Many of the undernourished are farmers whose crops are marketed on a smaller scale. Since insect-resistant GM cotton was adopted in India, the calories consumed and the quality of diets of agricultural households have increased due to increased family incomes. This also reduced the food security of cotton-producing households by 15-20%. One of the benefits of genetically modified crops is that they can be modified to be healthier. An example of this is golden rice. Golden rice is a rich source of vitamin A, as it contains a high level of beta-carotene. Many people living in LEDCs suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD); which poses a serious public health problem in many parts of Asia, as it could lead to infant mortality and blindness among people of all ages worldwide. Many scientists and humanitarians believe this could be the solution to the CVA problem, as rice is an important part of the Asian diet, with more than 4 million people consuming it in regions with high CVA rates. . Farmers who grow rice try to include these characteristics in the varieties of these regions. The Philippines seeks to include the types of rice similar to golden rice to be produced; while Bangladesh is expected to allow production in 2019.DisadvantagesSocial and political issues appear to be a bigger reason why GMOs fail to provide relief from LEDCs, than the technology itself. Many burdensome regulations have been established in countries that..