PROS CONS

1. . It can improve the nutrition, taste, and It can create less nutritional value in some foods.
growth rate of crops.
2. It can lead to crops which have natural It creates the potential for problematic
pest resistance. pathogens.
3. It can help use to begin producing new It creates the potential for unwanted side effects.
foods.
4. It can boost the positive traits in every It would create an unfavorable level of diversity.
life form.
5. It can be used to help current food It could create unpredictable outcomes.
resources to begin producing more of
them.

Genetic engineering (also called genetic modification) is a process that uses laboratory-based
technologies to alter the DNA makeup of an organism. Genetic engineering aims to modify the genes to
enhance the capabilities of the organism beyond what is normal. Thus, Gene therapy seeks to alter
genes to correct genetic defects and thus prevent or cure genetic diseases. Generally genetically
modified foods and crops gives benefits to humans. These possible benefits includes: More nutritious
food, tastier food, Disease- and drought-resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources
(such as water and fertilizer),less use of pesticides, increased supply of food with reduced cost and
longer shelf life, faster growing plants and animals, food with more desirable traits, such as potatoes
that produce less of a cancer-causing substance when fried, medicinal foods that could be used as
vaccines or other medicines. Genetically engineered foods are reported to be high in nutrients and
contain more minerals and vitamins than those found in traditionally grown foods. Other than this,
these foods are known to taste better. Another reason for people opting for genetically engineered
foods is that they have an increased shelf life and hence there is less fear of foods getting spoiled
quickly. However, these also creates harmful effects on the human body. As the health effects are
unknown, many people prefer to stay away from these foods. Manufacturers do not mention on the
label that foods are developed by genetic manipulation because they think that this would affect their
business, which is not a good practice. Also, many religious and cultural communities are against such
foods because they see it as an unnatural way of producing foods. Many people are also not
comfortable with the idea of transferring animal genes into plants and vice versa. Also, this cross-
pollination method can cause damage to other organisms that thrive in the environment. So, it is on us
on how we protect ourselves from the possible bad outcome of genetic modified foods.