Food

Food

1. Positive and Negative Impacts of Industrial Farming Practices

Industrial farming is the method of mass production of livestock and crops. The basic function of industrial farming is to provide low cost food to customers. Industrial farming first began in the year 1920 after the discovery that when vitamin A and D are added to the feed of animals, they no longer need sunlight or exercise for growth. This has allowed a large number of animals and plants to grow in houses.

Advantages of Industrial Farming

One if the most important advantage of industrial farming is that it reduces the time and the cost of production of livestock and crops. This keeps the prices of these products low when they reach the consumer market. This helps in the uplifting of economy. It helps in creating more jobs and thus reduces unemployment.

Another importance of industrial farming is that it helps in reducing the food borne diseases, specifically those related to malnutrition. Since the food is produced and is available in a large number, it helps in reducing the shortage of food around the world. It's production is also environment friendly as land use is lower and the production is maximum (www.eathumane.org).

Disadvantages

The most evident disadvantage of industrial farming is its negative impact on health. Since these products are produced using high levels of pesticides and antibiotics, they are unhealthy for the human body. They are causing risks to human lives. They are also causing many diseases in the humans who regularly consume these products.

Another disadvantage of industrial farming is the environmental hazards it is creating. The industries contribute in damaging the water, air and soil. They are found to be the greatest contributor of the green house effect (www.beyondfactoryfarming.org).

2. Genetically Modified Food

Genetically modified foods are the ones derived from the genetically modified organisms like genetically modified fish and crops. Specific changes are induced in them through the process of genetic engineering. The first genetically engineered plant was produced in the year 1983 (James, Clive, 1996). The process is carrying on since then. These were initially produced to improve crop protection. They now also aim at lower cost and greater benefit principle. The production of genetically modified food is controversial because of the dispute over the disadvantages and advantages of these on the human health. It is also controversial on the basis of environmental risks it is causing to the earth. The main issues of concern to the human health include allergenicity (Kuehn, 2008) that is the use of allergenic genes can cause diseases in the human body. Antibiotic genes may get transferred from genetically modified foods to the body cells (Netherwood et.al , 2004). This can also cause diseases in the human body. Humans are also exposed to the large amount of pesticides used in the GM foods. WHO has said that there is a risk of outcrossing of genes from the genetically engineered plants to the conventional ones. The pesticides used in these foods may be toxic to the beneficial insect, as well as, ...