Since the 1990s, a procedure for altering certain foods arose, sparking various people’s interest. The procedure is a powerful tool that adds nutrients to certain foods like corn and carrots. Additionally, on some boxes, the label “GMO” will be present, stating whether the food has been genetically modified.
GMO food, or brands, require a process to genetically modify or alter the food source; changing its color and nutrients, allowing certain benefits to be conspicuous. For example, a vegetable known as a carrot is constantly being modified. The colors vary from purple, red, white, and yellow, often having different variations of health benefits for the human body; especially the eyes. For example, the color red could contain a certain element or nutrient to prevent cancer, while also having an altered, strong flavor. These unique properties display a purpose, gaining customers’ trust to continuously purchase one or multiple varieties of the food source. Additionally, as the quote states, “Researchers studied the calcium intake of humans who ate the carrots and found an increase in calcium absorption. Adding this carrot to the diet can prevent such diseases as osteoporosis” (Texas A&M University) the GMO carrots carry and are designed with unique nutrients, which were originally abundant, and now as said, can help prevent a variety of diseases and illnesses.
As stated above, genetically improved and modified food sources nurture the ones with the lack of vitamins, which also prevent sickness, have a huge risk. For example, if one digests a product that’s modified, the altered cycle of that food source could affect the human body negatively by supplementing a certain vitamin with one that’s not considered the original.
Replying to the risk, the vitamin placed in the source could be altered during the growth cycle of that food, making the vitamin less conspicuous and more susceptible to corruption and deficiencies. Additionally, the element or excessive vitamin in the food source could be composed of certain chemicals that the producers conceal or don’t recognize, making the product dangerous and considered toxic to humans. For example, Bawa and Anilakumar state, “The biggest threat caused by GM foods is that they harm the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.” This information displays crucial points that signify the risks and health concerns for GMO foods, regardless of the nutrients they preserve for humans.
Although GMO foods consist of positive benefits, the side effects and risks are also conspicuous and shouldn’t be overlooked while shopping for a nutritional and healthy product. However, the preference is a personal choice and depends on the person and his/her perspective on the idea.
Briefly, GMO foods and brands have begun to rise and attend to the needs of people, acquiring positive feedback with the amounts of nutritional value, however, as one may overlook, certain products could conceal harmful side effects to the human body, developing immune diseases which is ironic as the goal for GMO foods is to defeat the growth of immune diseases, however, the decision to procure such food is a personal choice.