The Bright Side of Genetic Engineering

With the global demand for food production and healthier sources increasing, industries are having to develop new efficient methods to meet this requirement. Monsanto, a world leader in creating genetically modified crop seeds and other related companies have made advancements in biotechnology their mission, which has the potential to unlock the abilities of gene manipulation is to ensure only the desirable features are present in food sources. However, the underlying question is whether the genetic modification and testing of foods will benefit agriculture and food processes.
In “Biotechnology and Food for Canadians” Alan McHughen defines biotechnology as “simply modifying living systems to give society more and better foods” (3). Scientists have been able to identify specific DNA with the advances of molecular biology, which has led to the new technology of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the process of adding or removing genes from organisms for a desired change (Mchughen, 3). Furthermore, it has the potential to have provide benefits to the agriculture industry. Throughout the online article “Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture – Benefits and Risks” Ania Wieczorek explains through the genetic modification of crop and plant seeds, scientists have been able to make crops that can grow in larger yields, more resistant to harsh weather and diseases, have improved taste, are longer lasting fresh produce, and   have improved nutritional value.
With the constant growth rate of the world population, especially in developing countries, the demand for larger supply of crops is necessary to prevent poverty (McHughen, 29). With poverty being a problem in many third world countries, being able to grow more crops in the same amount of space could potentially help prevent poverty. “Biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing such qualities as disease resistance and increased [weather] tolerance to the crops (Wieczorek, 2). In...