In this article, I will explain the good and the bad things about genetically modified organisms

What are GMOs?

GMOs or genetically modified organisms are plants or other organisms designed to be more effective. Whether it is a bigger yield, resistance against pests or many other traits. This can be very helpful in our always growing society, as more food is needed. But it can also be bad for farmers, completely relying on big corporations.

The Bad

The most important argument is, that farmers have to rely on big corporations, to do their business and stay competitive. As proved with so-called "Terminator seeds" (seeds which only produce a plant for one season) corporations have the power, to make farmers dependent on them. But most of the criticism against GMOs is just criticism of the current agriculture.

The Good

GMOs can help us sustain our growing need for food. As the yield and resistance of plants can be increased, we don't have to deforest the rainforest to make space for more plants. Also, many studies have shown, that GMOs are not more dangerous for humans as their non-GM counterparts. A good example for this is a banana. Bananas have been bred to not have seeds in them, as bananas were mostly seeds with sparse pulp in them. This was done naturally, but is genetically modifying that much of a difference?

Picture of a non-GM banana

Acceptance

In other fields, like medicine, GMOs are accepted by most humans. An example for this is genetically modified Insulin. So why isn't it accepted in our food? In my opinion, it would be accepted by most, if big companies wouldn't use it just for their well-being, but also for the well-being of everybody. If Dupont would use their GMOs for non-profit, or at least give all farmers a competitive price for them, rather than for billions of profit every year, maybe mankind would accept GMOs.

TL;DR

GMOs are still not accepted but could be in a couple of years or decades. I'm neither for or against GMOs, but with a growing society they seem like the only option to sustain us, and the world we live in. There are many more pros and cons, but this should just be an inspiration for you to read more. And you have to decide for yourself, if GMOs are good or bad, or maybe somewhere in between.

Good reading material:

Article on Popular Science about GMOs

http://www.popsci.com/scientists-say-theres-no-need-to-fear-gene-edited-food?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&src=SOC&utm_campaign&utm_content=58cf3eafb8a9fe00071ccbfe&utm_medium&utm_source

Article about Terminator seeds

https://theconversation.com/terminator-seeds-will-not-usher-in-an-agricultural-judgement-day-21686