Lisinicchia 1

Melanie K Lisinicchia
Mrs. Stemen & Mrs. Santa
BioTech periods 5 & 6
30 January 2015
GMOs; Good or Bad?
GMOs are genetically modified organisms. Most foods in the USA are genetically
modified, but what does this mean? No studies have shown that GM foods are completely stable
and safe to consume, this is why they could pose a health risk to consumers (Renter, 1). More
than 60 other countries have jumped on the bandwagon for labeling foods that have GMOs, this
leads to slowly taking GM foods out of stores; which can be both good and bad, but why? To
understand more about this growing problem in the USA, the process of genetically modifying
organisms must first be known; and to learn more about that, the process of protein synthesis
must first be known.
What is the process of protein synthesis- gene to protein? The first step off protein
synthesis starts in the nucleus of the cell. The strands of DNA that contain genes are transferred
into mRNA. This process is called transcription. The second step of the process takes place in the
rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes in the cell. The tRNA brings their own specific need
amino acid to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and then the amino acids make up a protein, and
there is a specific code for each protein. This process is called translation (Stemen).
Now that protein synthesis is better understood, learning how the process of genetic
engineering is done will be much easier. One way genetic engineering is done is by extracting
the DNA from an organism that already has the desired trait. Then the gene that it wanted to
change the organism is located and is then copied from the tens of thousands of other genes that

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were extracted from the organism that originally had the trait, this is called gene cloning.
Sometimes, the gene is slightly modified once inside the recipient organism to work more
efficiently or in a more desired way. The final product of the new gene(s) is called a transgene.
Once the desired traits are obtained, the transgene is sent out into the cells of the recipient
organism. Transformation is what this process is called, and the most popular version of it uses
bacteria.
In the process of transformation, the bacterium uses its own DNA to naturally genetically
engineer plants. The transgene gets put back into the bacteria, and it is delivered into the cells of
the current organism being worked on. There is another technique, however, and it is called the
gene gun method. In this method, gold particles that are microscopic and are coated with the
copies of the transgene are inserted into the cell of the receiving organism (University of
Nebraska).
In more than 60 other countries, food manufactures are required to label foods that have
GMOs, this has led to the slow removal of GM foods being sold; which can be both good and
bad, but why? If the labeling of foods in the USA happened to start, it wont cost a dime, it is just
a little label (Wallman, 1). However, this often leads to people being intimidated by GM foods,
which then leads to lower sales. This all ends in less GM foods produced, which is tremendous
for the environment since GM crops depend on herbicides and pesticides (Westgate, 1). On the
flip side, taxes will skyrocket once GM foods/crops are in little demand. Manufacturers will need
more gear to haul two different loads, GM and non GM crops, and more trucks for different
hauls, and farmers will need a different storage place. This money to pay for these extra expenses
will not fall off of trees, and the farmers and manufactures arent going to pull it out of their

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pocket just because the USA citizens want this. It will all be paid forward to the people who
want labels and less GM crops.
So why have more than 60 countries keep GMOs at shore? This is because GM foods
pose a risk to the environment and human health. Monsanto (a big time agriculture company)
went into lengths saying that GM crops would reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides.
Monsanto was charged with false advertising, because in reality, GM crops depend on pesticides
and herbicides to survive and thrive (Urban, 2). These harmful sprays get into the soil and
groundwater, and could contaminate water supplies. A study conducted by Sralini and Francis
where rats were fed GM foods and grew large tumors shows that GM foods pose a risk. When
some GMO wheat showed up in Oregon, other countries didnt want to trade wheat with the
USA because of the ban on GM crops/foods in their areas. So if GM foods/crops are supposed to
be safe, why are other countries turning down trading? Although no studies show that GM foods
are completely safe or totally harmful, the FDA still passes GM foods as safe. Well, if people
dont know for sure, then its safe to say its okay (Ho, 1)? Since when is that okay?
Lets keep the environment and bodys safe by being aware of GMOs. Its better to know
rather than to not. Shouldnt people want to know whats going into their body?

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Works Cited
Ho, Mae Wan, Dr. "Say No to GMOs! - Getting Started." Say No To GMOs! - Getting Started.
N.p., 2002. Web. 10 Feb. 2015. <http://www.saynotogmos.org/>.
Renter, Elizabeth. "Top 10 GMO Foods to Avoid." NationofChange. Natural Society / News
Analysis, 29 July 2012. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.nationofchange.org/top-10-gmofoods-avoid-1343568178>.
Stemen, Ashley. Protein Synthesis. VNT, Huntington. 3 February 2015. Workshop.
University of Nebraska. "AgBiosafety at UNL - Biotech Basic The Preocess of Plant Genetic
Engineering." Process of Plant Genetic Engineering. Ag Biosafety: University of
Nebraska - Lincoln, 2001. Web. 05 Feb. 2015.
<http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm>.
Urban, Shilo. "8 Reasons GMOs Are Bad for You - Organic Authority." Organic Authority.
Around the Web, 23 Aug. 2010. Web. 05 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/eight-reasons-gmos-are-bad-foryou.html>.
Wallman, Alex. "Yes to Prop 37." YouTube. YouTube, 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2015.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj6uFK5B_Vs>.
Westgate, Megan. "GMO Facts." The NonGMO Project RSS. The Natural Grocery Co., 2015.
Web. 04 Feb. 2015. <http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/>.