Non Genetically Modified Food Demand - 1632 Words

Non-Genetically Modified Food Demand and Supply and Demand of Food Supply and Restaurants in the United States Genetically modified crops have played an important role in food supply of the United States for nearly two decades. The incentives for producers to use these crops are numerous, such as: an increased resistance to pests and improving the yield of the harvest. While these crops have been accepted as the norm for years, recently more shoppers have become increasingly concerned about what they and their families are consuming. There have been noticeable changes in the preferences of consumers concerning the production, sale, and consumption of genetically modified foods. As the public becomes more aware of the potential harms of†¦show more content†¦Background In the agricultural industry, the term genetically modified organisms (GMO) refers to crops that are produced through genetic engineering. The processes involved in genetically modifying agricultural products involve the introduction of the genetic materials of a foreign organism into the genetic code of the organism that is to be altered. This process has been a cause for concern because of the lack of scientific data on the long-term safety of these processes. To understand what contributes to the supply and demand of GMOs, it is important to understand the relationship between the scientific and business communities in developing GMO technology and introducing GMO products to the consumer. This section will evaluate the development of GMO technology, the commercial factors effecting GMO technology, and the foundations of social opposition to GMO agricultural products. The Science of Genetically Modified Foods Though the introduction of GMO foods to market is a recent development, the technologies that make GMO production possible emerged in the early 20th century. The field of medical science is the lead contributor to the techniques that are used today to alter the genetic makeup of plants that are used in agricultural production. Frederick Griffith conducted research in 1928 that identified reliable practices for altering the characteristics of plants through genetic modifications (Vasil, 2008). The