Genetically Modified Foods Cause Autism Essay -- GMOs Essays

Question: Through the use of genetically modified foods, are humans becoming more prone to abnormalities? Introduction I have chosen to do my Life Science research project on genetically modified food as it is a topic that interests me. I have formulated a research question which is â€Å"Through the use of genetically modified foods, are humans becoming more prone to abnormalities?† Genetically engineered organisms (GMO) are becoming so advanced and a large variety of food that we eat has been genetically modified, such as maize, cotton, potatoes, wheat, sugarcane, strawberry, and soya. (Appel, 2008) With the increased advancement of GMO, many people are unaware of the complications that can occur. In my project I will be researching whether or not GMO are an addition to the cause of cancer and autism, but first in order for us to understand the effects of genetically modified organisms, we need to gain an in depth knowledge of the basis of genetics. DNA and Chromosomes Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a â€Å"hereditary material in humans and many other organisms† (Education, 2014). DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell. DNA forms an important part of the chromosome. DNA is a molecule that contains all the genetic information to make up an organism. DNA is a double helix structure made up of deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base, there are four nitrogenous bases, Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and cytosine. Base pairing is specific. DNA carries genetic information in each cell, DNA can also replicate itself, so that the genetic code is passed on to each daughter cell that is formed during mitosis. â€Å"A chromosome is a thread-like structure of nucleic acids and proteins that are formed in living cells† (Anon., 2014).... ...3 Feburary 2014]. University of Nebraska , 2001. Ag Biosafety. [Online] Available at: http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm [Accessed 16 March 2014]. University of Nebraska, 2005. Ag Biosafety. [Online] Available at: http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/basic_genetics.shtml [Accessed 03 Feburary 2014]. Unknown, 2011. Siyabonga Africa. [Online] Available at: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark-times-2-6-genetically-modified-foods-19358.html [Accessed 01 May 2014]. Walia, A., 2013. Collective Evolution. [Online] Available at: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/05/10/new-study-links-monsantos-roundup-to-autism-parkinsons-and-alzheimers/ [Accessed 20 February 2014]. Wang, P., 2013. Autism Speaks. [Online] Available at: http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2013/10/11/are-children-born-autism-or-does-it-develop-later [Accessed 05 May 2014].