Research Paper: Genetically Modified Organisms Technology GMO

Pages: 11 (3252 words)  ·  Style: APA  ·  Bibliography Sources: 7  ·  Level: College Senior  ·  Topic: Genetics  ·  Buy This Paper


[. . .] The potential to alter and cause harm to others is unknown. The case of Monsanto company, which sued farmers for having their GMO crops. The GMO seeds were blown into the farmers fields by wind, and the seeds infected the farmer's crop. The farmer was not responsible as he did not willingly grow the crops, but the company forced the farmer to destroy the crops together with his own. This resulted in losses to the farmer.

Incorporating animal genes in plant will adversely affect vegetarians. They would have to eat and survive against their culture, as the plants would contain animal genes. Research has shown that GMOs have the potential to increase yield, but in reality, the opposite has occurred. Soy farmers India recorded a decrease in overall yield of 20%. There is no known claim that GMOs assist in reducing the pesticides used by farmers. genetically modified foods have been linked to sicknesses and deaths. This goes against all the beliefs that scientists have held. The pest resistant crops contain built-in pesticides. In this case, eating the plant means you are consuming toxic pesticides. The effects of consuming the pesticides are unknown and could result in deaths. Labeling of products is vital. While it is mandatory in some countries, it is not in others. This causes problems, as consumers are not aware of what they consume. The consumer needs to know and determine if they are comfortable consuming genetically modified foods Huffman, 2003.

Knowledge will allow consumers the choice and determine the true effect of genetically modified foods.

The perception of people regarding GMOs also affects their acceptance or rejection. In developed countries, farmers produce more than enough quantities to sustain the country. The farmers do not see the potential or need for switching to GMO crops. In the developing countries, farmers face many problems like attack by pests, lack of funds to purchase pesticides, and low production. These problems have influenced the farmers and encouraged them to try innovations. The farmers embrace GMO crops and are willing to learn more about the crops. In the developing countries, farmers do not mind the high initial costs and potential high risks involved with GMOs. They are willing to try the GM crops as they have some potential to perform and produce better yields. The citizens have no problem purchasing and consuming the crops. According to research people in some countries prefer genetically modified foods over non-genetically modified foods. The people's culture and belief affects how they perceive different technologies and innovations. Having a disconnect with the GMO technology will lead to ignorance and outright refusal to accept the technology. The failure to understand how the technology works, and its potential benefits will lead to refusal. The individual's culture will not affect their decision to accept or refuse the technology. The risks associated with GMOs have led to many farmers been hesitant to undertake the technology, but the few who took the risk are reaping the benefits. This has prompted other farmers to start planting and growing genetically modified foods. The adverse effects associated with genetically modified foods are not a concern to the farmers. The prospect of increasing their yields is their main driving force.

Influence of the media

Genetic engineering been a new technology many people are not aware of it. The media has a significant role of informing and forming people's perception of the technology. In cases where public Knowledge is limited, people rely on the media to gather information. In Genetic engineering, the media has contributed greatly to the public opinion. People did not have any opinions prior to the publication of stories in the media. If the media publications are negative, people will form negative opinions in regards to the subject. If a country needs to successfully adopt the technology, media publications need to demonstrate the potential benefits of the technology. Several studies have indicated that the public opinion in regards to GMOs is based on the media publications.

GMOs are negatively perceived in Europe mainly because the media published negative stories of the technology Lusk et al., 2004.

Discussions of biotechnology were confined to scientists and smaller circles, which led to people viewing the technology in a negative way. The media publicized cases of mad cow disease, Bt corn and asbestos. In all the publications, the media demonstrated the negative aspects only, which impacted the public's opinion of the technology. The people also lost trust of authority as they viewed people in authority as withholding and lying about GMOs. The extensive media coverage of GMOs increased the risk perception of people. A number of associations and societies cropped up in the fight against GMOs. A lot of panic and hype was created amongst the masses. This was done via mass dissemination of warnings, petitions, and alerts Burton, Rigby, Young, & James, 2001.

Word against GMOs was spread using the internet, and there was more information against GMOs. This created a cult like following against GMOs. The European media started competing for public attention by reporting scandalous and shocking headlines regarding GMOs. Since views expressed by scientists are complex and the media took advantage of this to express and push for anti-GMO reports.

In the United States, concerns are limited. The number of publications in the media is limited, and this has led to fewer perceptions. There is no hype regarding GMOs and people do not perceive it as dangerous. U.S. citizens do not trust the media, and this has contributed to their low perception of GMO risks. Publications in the media would not have much effect to discourage people. Many people might have heard about GMOs in the media, but they did not form a conclusion based on the negative information published. U.S. citizens put their trust in regulatory bodies and majority formed opinion based on the information they received from these bodies. Genetically modified foods are accepted in the U.S. because of trust in government regulations, and scientific innovation.

In China, people have a positive perception of GE technology. The government exercises tight controls over the media. This has ensured that only positive information regarding GMOs is published in China. Research conducted by Curtis, McCluskey, and Wahl (2004)

indicated that only 9.3% of the people surveyed had a negative opinion concerning GMOs. This clearly demonstrates that the media does affect people's opinions. If the media publishes only positive stories, the people will form positive perceptions. The lack of knowledge in the technology made the Chinese to be more welcoming of the technology and lower their risk perception. Another case of media distrust is India, especially rural India. The villagers trust government information. This led to the positive perception of GMOs. The lack of information in some cases has led people to trust the media. In the case of Bt Brinjal, people relied on the media for information. GMOs are relatively new in India, and there is low awareness. Anything reported in the media will provide new information to the people and has the potential to affect their opinions.

The media is responsible for accurately reporting and presenting facts. Accurate reports in regards to GMOs will allow people to form their own opinions. This is much better than only providing negative information, which leads to biased opinions. Covering stories by anti-GMO groups will lead to biased information. Responsible journalism is vital, and both sides of the debate need the same airtime. Reporting the debate in an objective and calm manner will lead to acceptance by the people of the technology. Creating emotionally charged debates hides the facts and only presents limited information. Topics that the public has little or no information are sensitive, and the media needs to recognize this fact. If the media provides negative information chances are people will form negative opinions. If the media reported and published information in a balanced manner, people will have an opportunity to make informed decisions. The debate on GMOs is a healthy one, and it has increased people's awareness of the technology.


GMOs have the potential to improve farmer's yields. Scientists have developed crops that are resistant to natural weather increases the potential of improving food security in developing countries. Producing animals that have genetics viable for better production and resistant to diseases reduces the expenses of treatment. GMOs have both positive and negative effects, but the positive effects outnumber the negative. There is potential to improve peoples' lives using GMOs. Treating diseases like hepatitis B has only been possible due to GMOs. If used improperly GMOs can result in adverse outcomes. A farmer growing non-GMO crops would lose his/her crop if their neighbor is growing GMO crops. Natural mixing of the crops would result in adverse conditions, as the superior crops would ruin the inferior crops. The public has differing opinion in regards to the technology, and the media has contributed in some cases to this opinions. Providing information to the people is vital for the success of the technology. Failure… [END OF PREVIEW]

Four Different Ordering Options:

Which Option Should I Choose?

1.  Buy the full, 11-page paper:  $28.88


2.  Buy + remove from all search engines


3.  Access all 175,000+ papers:  $41.97/mo

(Already a member?  Click to download the paper!)


4.  Let us write a NEW paper for you!

Ask Us to Write a New Paper
Most popular!

Genetically Modified Organisms Food Term Paper

GMO Genetically Modified Organisms Term Paper

Genetically Modified Organisms Article Review

Genetically Modified Food Essay

Genetically Modified Food Research Paper

View 85 other related papers  >>

Cite This Research Paper:

APA Format

Genetically Modified Organisms Technology GMO.  (2014, February 10).  Retrieved July 18, 2019, from

MLA Format

"Genetically Modified Organisms Technology GMO."  10 February 2014.  Web.  18 July 2019. <>.

Chicago Format

"Genetically Modified Organisms Technology GMO."  February 10, 2014.  Accessed July 18, 2019.