How is the fake food made and how much do we actually consume yearly, without even knowing it.
History of GM Foods
1973 was the year that food became fake, when
Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer invented the technology of DNA cloning.
One year later Stanley Cohen, Herbert Boyer and
Annie Chang created the first genetically modified DNA organism.
1983: four groups of scientist created GM
plants.
In 1985 the first transgenic plant that was
resistant to some insect species was created.
2 years later a transgenic plant was grown
resistant to particular herbicides.
1988: corn was produced.
In 1994 marking the start of widespread use of
genetically modified crop plants in the USA occurred. The FlavrSavr transgenic
tomato was sold in shops.
The year 1995 bought ‘roundup ready soybeans’ to
the market.
1998 was when the first GM labelling rules were
introduced.
In 2002 patent laws were suggested for biotech
companies.
Since then genetically modified food has been on
the increase.
Modern day Production
GM food is produced through the process of
genetic engineering where they use gene transfer technology. Gene transfer
technology works just like cut and paste does on a computer, one gene is cut
from an organism then pasted into another organism. People who work in the GMO
industry carefully use the technique of selective breeding to choose genes that
are found in the genome of the organism. The genes are then carefully transplanted
into a new organism’s genome. When the transfer has been successful the new
organism is then bred to create a new generation of the plant.
Consumption
Recent studies have shown that the average
person will consume more than their body weight of genetically modified foods,
and many don’t even know they consume genetically modified foods on a daily
basis. This is very unhealthy and will cause major consequences in the long
run. In America an adult will consume around 193 pounds of corn based products
and salad dressings a year, which is shocking considering an average adult
weighs 173 pounds. An American is likely to consume 68 pounds of beet sugar, 58
pounds of corn syrup, 38 pounds of soybean oil and 29 pounds of corn-based
products. Sadly for Americans, many don’t know they are consuming GMO products
as there are no labelling laws, and if they don’t come in soon the American
population may be facing large health issues. It is estimated that the
consumption of genetically modified foods will continue to increase and in the decade
the average American will eat three times their weight in genetically modified foods
due to thirty new genetically engineered crops being tested.