Pro and Cons of GMO's

Pro: Anna Czelusniak
Con: Matt Gottsacker

Con Argument: 
-unknown what the health effects are because new technology
-Natural breeding is safer and more natural
-GM seeds are more expensive, when they are not actually worth the extra cost
-The process of modifying genes is imprecise and uncontrolled; manipulating one gene can have large effects on the rest of the organism
-rats fed certain GM crops developed organ damage

1. Increase use of pesticides and herbicides
2. Cross pollination--pollen from modified plants can spreads and will infect other plants, creating "superweeds" with insecticidal properties or herbicide-resistance.
3. GM crops have cost the United States an estimated $12 billion in farm subsidies, lost sales
4. Possible link to allergies
   “GE crops have been responsible for an increase of 383 million pounds of herbicide use in the US over the first 13 years of commercial use of GE crops (1996–2008). This dramatic increase in the volume of herbicides applied swamps the decrease in insecticide use attributable to GE corn and cotton, making the overall chemical footprint of today’s GE crops decidedly negative” -Dr. Charles BenBrook
   
   
   "They're just not worth it."

Pro Argument: 
Plants are able to live longer and with more ease. 
“Corn cannot reproduce without human aid” “Most important and widely grown in the United States” 
Positive Environmental Impacts 
-“Soil salinity has become a major problem in all agriculture especially in the San Joaquin Valley.” 
-resistance to insects requires less use of pesticides which can be harmful to humans & environment
-more efficient use of land
-especially important in countries where farming space is limited
-plants can be genetically engineered to provide health benefit
-combat malnutrition
-ex: iron and vitamin A supplemented rice are beneficial in populations with nutrient deficiencies → longer lives

1. Better resistance to stress: If crops can be made more resistant to pest outbreaks, it would reduce the danger of crop failure.
2. More nutritious staple foods: By inserting genes into crops such as rice and wheat, we can increase their food value.
3. More food from less land: Improved productivity from GMOs might mean that farmers in the next century won't have to bring so much marginal land into cultivation.
4. TO COUNTER THE ALLERGIES IDEA: molecular biology could also be used to characterize allergens and remove them
   
   
   Overall, crops grow with more ease and we are more efficient
   
   
   "We would be nowhere without corn."
   
   
   
   
   "If we aren't gonna use GMO's, how can we combat pests?"
   
   
   It is safe to use GMO's up to a point before it affects the soil. We should look into subsidizing organic pesticides ...
   
   
   But won't they build a tolerance?
   
   
   ....