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ICANEWS
Noviembre / Diciembre 2009, Año 6 # 19 |
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GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS:
A NATURAL CAUSE OF CONCERN |
by Eliana Berardo
Level 8 - ICA Student |
There is no doubt about technology having developed quickly during the last years. Most inventions are aimed at making our life easier, but some of them have been taking a lot of flak. This is the case of GM crops. Many people think that dabbling with genes will upset nature’s balance, while others say that organic farming is mere hypocrisy.
Those who are against GM crops claim that genetic modification may cause harm on the environment and on people’s health. They support organic food, which is said to be healthier. Furthermore, opponents to GM crops state that nowadays stronger diseases affect plants, and that forces farmers to face higher costs in order to fight them. Even if GM crops are resistant to many diseases, new plagues will still break out and small farmers will be pushed out of business.
On the other side, GM crop’s advocates claim that organic farming is mere hypocrisy. More pesticides and herbicides are needed if the plants are not genetically modified. Thus, organic farming is not as natural as it is said. In addition, there is no evidence for proving that transgenic food is harmful for people’s health as it has passed the standard safety test. Moreover, although it is not possible to make crops resistant to all plagues, GM crops allow farmers to use less chemicals for the same amount of plants. This leads to less environmental pollution.
All in all, people should keep informed about new advances on GM crops in order to be able to decide whether they are for or against them. It is very important to be concerned about our health and the environment. |
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