Index Economic advantagesDisadvantagesSocial implicationsAdvantagesDisadvantagesGenetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs, are any living organism whose genetic composition has been modified by scientists under laboratory conditions and is not produced naturally . Nowadays, they are found almost everywhere, the most common types of GMO crops are corn, papaya and canola. GMOs were originally introduced in 1973 by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen. They were the first to successfully implant genes from one organism to another. GMOs have numerous benefits, including the ability to last longer, taste better, and the ability to make them healthier than conventional crops. With these benefits, GMOs will likely help reduce the number of people starving and help fight world hunger. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay World hunger is one of the greatest challenges of our time. According to www.worldhunger.org, “The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that approximately 815 million people of the world's 7.6 billion people, or 10.7%, suffered of chronic malnutrition in 2016”. On average, there are 11 million people in developing countries who do not get enough nutrients and are malnourished. The two main causes of this are food insecurity and malnutrition. Due to food shortages in rural areas and decreased access to adequate food; people end up starving, which results in people living an unhealthy lifestyle. People suffering from malnutrition do not meet their daily nutritional needs, resulting in a weakened immune system and the likelihood of falling ill easily. Malnutrition also has a serious impact on children's health. Being malnourished, they would have growth problems and become underweight. They are also more likely to get diseases such as Kwashiorkor, which is swelling of the face, limbs and feet due to dietary protein deficiency. Economic Benefits Genetically modified crops have benefited the economy in many ways. In 2014, Brookes and Barfoot (two directors of PG Economics), predicted that global economic benefits from GM crops would exceed $17 billion, reaching $150 billion overall, between 1996 and 2014. Brookes and Barfoot they also estimated that approximately 158 million tons of soybeans and 322 million tons of corn produced. These production rates have helped increase food security. According to an analysis of numerous studies on the impacts of GM crops conducted by Klümper and Qaim, it was found that pesticide use had reduced by 37%, production had increased by 22% and farmers had experienced a 68% increase % in revenue. A survey conducted by Subramaniam and Qaim showed that vulnerable families, i.e. those earning less than $2 a day, achieved a 134% increase in income from growing Bt cotton. These are examples of some of the many benefits of GM crops, which have helped boost the economy internationally and help farmers earn a more stable income, providing them with a better livelihood. Disadvantages The seed industry consolidated quite quickly after the commercialization of GMOs. . 60% of the seed market is owned by just 4 companies, with crop-specific seeds dominated by Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta and Dow; who own 80% of the corn market and 70% of thesoybean market. Due to the increased market stability, farmers have suffered huge losses. According to USDA data, the cost of soybeans and corn per acre increased dramatically between 1995 and 2014, by 351 percent and 321 percent, respectively. The International Journal of Food Contamination stated that just under 400 cases of GMO contamination have occurred in 63 nations. Crops become contaminated when pollen from GMO crops travels into nearby fields via insects, birds, or wind; creating “genetic drifts”. These “genetic” drifts create changes in the genetic heritage of crops. It is difficult to avoid these drifts, also due to the lack of rules and regulations; It prevents seed companies from being liable for damage caused by seeds and puts the burden on farmers who end up paying the price. Consequences of contamination include drastic economic losses as GMO farmers face rejection from exporting companies that do not accept GMO crops. While organic farmers suffering from crop contamination risk losing their organic certification and the additional money they earn from the fact that their products are organic. As people begin to purchase non-GMO products, farmers begin to look to organic or non-GMO markets that cost more than others. However, the difficulty in companies separating different types of crops risks causing farmers to lose these alternatives. Social implicationsAdvantagesGenetically modified crops could increase food production and the availability of higher quality food, as well as having an effect on the quality and quantity of nutrients present. This could help make food safer by slowly reducing food insecurity. GM crops could provide farmers with economic benefits; positively influencing their accessibility to food. A large number of undernourished people are farmers whose crops are marketed in a narrower range. Since insect-resistant GM cotton was adopted in India, the calories consumed and diet quality of farm families have increased due to rising household incomes. This has also reduced the food security of cotton producing families by 15-20%. One of the advantages of GM crops is that they can be modified to make them healthier. An example of this is golden rice. Golden rice is a rich source of vitamin A, as it contains a high level of beta-carotene. Several people in LEDCs have vitamin A deficiency (VAD); which represents a serious public health problem in many locations in Asia, as it could cause infant mortality and blindness in people of all ages worldwide. Many scientists and aid workers believe this could be the solution to VAD, as rice represents an important part of the Asian diet, with more than 4 million people consuming it in places with high rates of VAD. Farmers who grow rice have tried to include the characteristics in the varieties from these places. The Philippines is trying to include types of rice similar to Golden Rice in its production; while Bangladesh is likely to sanction production in 2019. Disadvantages Social and political issues appear to be one of the more important reasons why GMOs are unable to provide relief to LEDCs, compared to the technology itself. Many burdensome regulations that have been established in countries that frequently suffer from famines, especially many African nations; reduce the growth and import of GM products. One cause of the regulations is opposition from groups such as the African Center for Biosafety and.