Genetically Modified PlantsWould most people eat a hamburger if they knew that the cow that provided the beef had the genes of a sheep? How about bacon from a pig with sheep-like characteristics? It is very likely that they would refuse to consume such products, denouncing them as dangerous and irresponsible. Protests against these mixed genetic animals were likely to begin. This genetic alteration has been occurring in plants for years, but the majority of consumers do not hesitate to purchase products derived from these genetically modified plants. Although some argue that the benefits of these genetically modified plants outweigh their negative effects, it is becoming clear that these crops cause more harm than good. Genetically modified plants should not be produced because of the damage they cause to farmers, because of the damage they cause to the environment and to people. Contrary to what the companies that produce these modified crops would like people to know, we believe that genetically modified crops are failing to help farmers. On the contrary, they negatively affect farmers compared to natural crops. Organic farmers face particularly high risks because these plants can and will reproduce with other neighboring crops, whether genetically modified or not. In fact, one study “demonstrated that more than 50% of wild strawberries growing within 50 meters of a strawberry field contained marker genes from cultivated strawberries” (Hanson). Because these modified crops spread so frequently, it proves almost impossible to guarantee that organic crops are natural and not the offspring of a modified plant. These crops also threaten conventional farmers. Many of these altered plants are resi......middle of paper......omois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D, Séralini GE. A comparison of the effects of three varieties of GM corn on mammalian health. Int J Biol Sci2009; 5:706-725 “The establishment of genetically modified canola populations in the United States.” » Space Daily, October 18, 2011. General OneFile. Internet. November 1, 2011 Hanson, Michael. “Put the future at risk? Genetic engineering, food and environment. Pest control at a crossroads. February 6, 1999. Web. October 27, 2011.Ho, Mae-Wan, Li Ching. Lim and Joe Cummins. The Case for a GM-free Sustainable World. London: Institute of Science in Society, 2003. Print. “More Bt Corn Plagued by Pest. » Post-dispatch from Saint-Louis [MO] September 24, 2011: A10. Infortac kiosk. Internet. October 31, 2011. “National: Environment; Europe accused of hypocrisy over its opposition to genetically modified crops. Observer [London, England] October 23, 2011: 23. Infortrac Newsstand. Internet. October 31. 2011