Biotechnology
By Calvin N. and Quintin L.

Biotechnology is defined as “the use of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of drugs or other products or for environmental management”(Dictionary.com). In other words it is the use of science to extract or insert DNA into an organism to change its physical appearance or chemical composition/characteristics.

Biotechnology is promoted by companies to be beneficial to everything and everyone but some of the side effects are unknown and undesirable.

Genetically modified food or plants are usually labeled with GMO to advertise the fact it has been genetically modified. Look for these labels on dairy, meat, and other products produced on farms.

The biggest contributor is major farming corporations who are always seeking more profit. Our desire and need to make more food with better, non-natural, nutrients is the cause of this problem. Farmers and big companies are the one’s who benefit from these advancements, providing more ripe crops and more income, all the while not focusing on the effects these harvests have on the environment.

Without experimentation and study, there are bound to be side effects, some of which are harmful to the environment and humans. The results have been undesirable cross pollination, corrupted biodiversity in ecosystems, super weeds, organic decomposition, and many more results.

One major issue is that these biotechnological advancements affect the biodiversity of an ecosystem, which makes pants natural resistance to the elements weaker, in turn making the whole ecosystem weaker. This makes these ecosystem more susceptible to damage and destruction.

A recent study has shown that because of this lack of biodiversity within these ecosystems, the forest is unable to provide enough food, water, and shelter for other organisms prosperity. Along with the inability to support a community, the plant's’ natural resistance to the elements and predators has been effected, making the ecosystem weaker and more vulnerable. This has also affected the climate changes of these ecosystems.

As reported in 2012, Whole Foods was selling unlabeled GMO products. Although they promoted selling all organic products, which they did, but they also sold unlabeled GMO products, some of which can cause cancer.

You’re not the only one who is concerned, people all around the world are doing things to try to raise awareness of the fact that biotechnology is harmful to us and the environment. Although everybody is doing it in different ways, we are all making a difference, one that will help the environment and the entire world.
Here is a link to a video someone made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrgH8McV3PA

You can help us by raising awareness. This is a substantial problem that people need to be aware of. And it all starts with you. For if you won’t help, who will?

Companies and labs have started to take these risks into consideration and are starting to study and experiment with genetically modified organisms. Some experiments include controlled environments, and testing genetically modified organisms’ effects on other organisms. If we can understand how to harness this power, control it, and prevent some of the undesirable effects, all while now affecting the environment, then we can truly use biotechnology to benefit everyone and everything.

Although many things have been suggested by a variety of companies and people, one that really needs to be taking into consideration is the fact that we should stop using GMO products until we completely understand them. We need to learn and be able to harness and control these genetically modified plants, and learn how to counteract their effects, but also make sure it isn't affecting the environment.

One person can make a huge difference, all we need for people to do is raise awareness of these risks we are taking, and problems we are causing because of how little we know about genetically modified organisms. Raising awareness is just the first step, taking action is the next, and this can only be done if we take matters into our own hands.

Everybody should care because this affects all of us, whether it be environmentally, or as consumers of these genetically modified products. This concerns the environment, and our health which are both essential for our lives.