Genetics is the study of how the qualities of living things are passed on in their

genes.
Trough the study of genetics we understood why do we look different, why do
we own certain characteristics and why do hereditary diseases appear. We have
always asked ourselves who are we, where do we come from and what is our
meaning in the Universe. With the help of genetics we could answer some of the
questions, but there is much more mistery far ahead.
The word genetics comes from the old greek word geneisis that means
giving birth.
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) is considered to be the father of genetics, he was
the first scientist that understood that hereditary traits are not transmitted directly
from mother and father to child, but the transmission is indirect, trough the so
called hereditary factors ( called later on genes). He made a series of hybridization
experiments using garden peas.
From all that genetic industry can do, the most disputed is the genetically
modified food. It could stop word hunger, but many people are worried about its
safety.
There are millions of people starving. This phenomena appears because of
parasites eating their crops. Because of the unfertile soil or the lack of rain, genetic
modified cultures are made to resist to parasites and survive on poor and dry soil.
They could solve these problems and prevent hunger. For example, some modified
corn fields kill the Monan butterfly, the enemy of normal corn cultures.
Modified food is called Frankenfood, after the scientist from the novel
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. In the book, Frankenstein creates a monster that
turns against him and attacks his family. Some protestors see modified food as
monsters made by humans.
The benefices from genetically industry engineering can be classified, some
examples are: drought and parasites-resistant plants, high-protein content cereal,
gluten-less cereal, high retinol content rice, protein-less food (usually allergy
provocative), high lecithin soy etc. Further on, this technique is being used for dairy
products and for a more rich nutritional food for pigs and chicken.

These human interventions in the natural structure of the aliments started

turning against the human being, because adverse effects started appearing.
Specialists reveal some of them: rise of infertility among young people resulting a
negative nativity rate, efficiency decrease in the immunity system resulting
antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Millions of us have already eaten genetically modified food. Some tomatoes
for example, have modified genes to not allow them to get squeezed while growing
or to resist mold. Since a while, they were introduced in tomato sauce and ketchup.
Even though the food has been safety-tested, many people still fear the effects that
we might not yet understand.
When cereals grow their pollen might dissipate with the help of wind and may
get on other agricultural fields. This way, the pollen from modified cereal, containing
unnatural genes can combine with the untouched ones and produce a DNA change.
The cultivators try to keep the crops separately, but the control is not always
efficient. If GM food proves to present a health-risk, this might be a real problem.
There are still many unknown issues and concerning reasons regarding GM
food. One of them is that a new gene combination might have undesired and
uncontrollable effects. A carrot that is modified to grow bigger might become
poisonous for some species, and that might affect the natural food chain leading to
a disaster.
Governments have taken different approaches to assess and manage the
risks associated with the use of genetic engineering technology and the
development and release of genetically modified organisms (GMO),
including genetically modified crops and genetically modified fish. There are
differences in the regulation of GMOs between countries, with some of the most
marked differences occurring between the USA and Europe. Regulation varies in a
given country depending on the intended use of the products of the genetic
engineering. For example, a crop not intended for food use is generally not reviewed
by authorities responsible for food safety.
One of the key issues concerning regulators is whether GM products should
be labeled. Labeling can be mandatory up to a threshold GM content level (which
varies between countries) or voluntary. A study investigating voluntary labeling in
South Africa found that 31% of products labeled as GMO-free had a GM content
above 1.0%.In Canada and the USA labeling of GM food is voluntary, while in Europe
all food (including processed food) or feed which contains greater than 0.9% of
approved GMOs must be labeled.

Bibliography:
1. Dictionary of Contemporary English 6th edition - ***, Pearson Longman,
Essex 2014
2. Biologie umana W.R. Pickering, All Educational, Bucharest 2001
3. Romedic.ro website: http://anatomie.romedic.ro/genetic
4. Thomas More Universitys website:
http://www.thomasmore.edu/library/mendel_collection.cfm
5. Ziarul de Cluj website: http://www.ziardecluj.ro/mancarea-modificatagenetic-mg
6. Wikipedia online encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies