The issue of engineered foods or genetically modified foods has raised debate and concern in the modern world. In essence the argument against engineered food is that the natural value and content of the foods has been interfered with and that they present a health risk to the public. This is a concern that is voiced by many environmentalists. On the other side of the argument are those who support genetically modified or engineered foods. They argue that these foods provide an important means of feeding the poverty stricken and less developed regions and peoples of the world. This view points to the fact that there are many poor countries where poverty and starvation are a fact of life and where genetically engineered foods can be a cheap food supply that can save lives.
             Another factor is that the acceptance of genetically engineered foods is also related to the fear of the unknown and, like many other new inventions or technologies, in treated with initial skepticism and suspicion. The following discussion will elaborate and expand on this debate and explore the various aspects that are related to genetically modified foods and products.
             The term genetically engineered foods refers to agricultural crops and other plants which are grown using the techniques of genetics and molecular biology. The plants are modified or 'genetically engineered' to change and increase the nutritional value of these food as well as to provide greater resistance to various diseases. (Genetically Modified Foods) 1
             Genetically engineered foods therefore differ from the older and more traditional process of plant breeding. This older process takes much longer and is not nearly as reliable as modern genetic engineering methods. "Genetic engineering can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. For example, plant geneticists can isolate a gene responsible for drought tolerance and insert t...