Frankenstein
As people in this time period, we truly are growing into, and becoming Frankensteins. Promising concepts have emerged, including the genetic modification of foods, cloning, and human engineering. Based on them, we aim to improve the quality of life for current and future generations. However, blinded by ambition, we fail to recognize that dangers and flaws arrive with the new developments.
For more efficient agricultural practices and better foods, scientists have introduced Genetically Modified foods. A fruit or vegetable with more desirable characteristics can be formed through the alteration and insertion of genes. They can be made to withstand cooler temperatures, to be resistant to damage, to have a greater nutritional value, and to have a prolonged length of freshness (Whitman). Adding a gene from an insecticide to a potato will produce a new and improved product: a potato that repels and kills pests.
Although these foods appear to be an improvement, they are actually a threat to both human and environmental health (Unknown). In the case of the modified potato, the vegetable is not only classified as a potato. It is also classified as a pesticide, making it unadvisable for consumption. The materials that are used have never been a component of a human’s food supply, and without long term testing, safety is not guaranteed (Ticciati). The effects of consuming these foods may not even present themselves for decades. However, possible ones include harm from an increased concentration of toxins, allergic reactions, and side-effects that may be fatal (Whitman).
In addition to being harmful to humans, these engineered organisms are hazardous to the natural environment. The ecological balance will become distorted since there will be competition to survive between the new organisms and the natural ones (Ticciati). If genetically
engineered plants made to withstand herbicides, cross breed with other plants, the gene that allows for...
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