Genetically Modified Plants Would most people eat a hamburger if they knew that the cow that provided the meat had the genes of a sheep? How about bacon that comes from a pig with sheep traits? They would most likely refuse to consume such products, denouncing them as unsafe and irresponsible. Protests against these animals with mixed genetics would probably begin. This genetic tampering has been occurring in plants for years, but most consumers don't think twice before purchasing products derived from these genetically modified plants. While some may argue that the benefits of these genetically modified plants outweigh the negative effects, it becomes evident that the crops cause more harm than good. Genetically modified plants should not be produced because of the harm they cause to farmers, because of the harm they cause to the environment and because of the harm they cause to people. Contrary to what the companies producing these altered crops would like people to do. They believe that genetically modified crops fail to help farmers. Rather, they negatively affect farmers compared to natural crops. Organic farmers are at particularly high risk because these plants can and do reproduce with other nearby crops, whether genetically modified or not. In fact, one study “showed that more than 50% of wild strawberries growing within 50 meters of a strawberry field contained marker genes for cultivated strawberries” (Hanson). Because these modified crops spread so frequently, it is almost impossible to guarantee that organic crops are natural and not the result of a modified plant. These crops also threaten conventional farmers. Many of these altered plants are rendered...... middle of paper ......omois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D, Séralini GE. A comparison of the effects of three GM maize varieties on mammalian health. Int J Biol Sci2009; 5:706-725 “The Creation of Genetically Engineered Canola Populations in the United States.” Space Daily October 18, 2011. General OneFile. Network. November 1, 2011 Hanson, Michael. “Jeopardizing the future? Genetic engineering, food and environment”. Pest management at the 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 infested with pests.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch [MO] September 24, 2011: A10. Infotac newsstand. Network. 31 October 2011. “National: Environment; Europe accused of hypocrisy for opposition to GM crops”. Observer [London, England] 23 October 2011: 23.Infortrac Newsstand. Network. October 31st. 2011