Genetically modified organisms' benefits outweigh the harm

I hope this debate is fun and interesting. Since my opponent hasn't given his argument yet, I'm just going to state reasons why GMOs are beneficial. C1- The crops produced are superior. A- Boosted nutrition of food The genes of plants can be specifically changed so that they can provide the highest amount of yield and most nutrition. Genetically modified plants can be altered to be resistant to climate and more durable than regular crops. The World Health Organization has stated that GMFs "can contribute directly to enhancing human health and development." A brand of genetically engineered soybean called "Plenish" produces a healthier oil, free of trans fats. This soybean has been been designed to replace the unhealthy partially hydrogenated oils that can cause heart problems, birth defects and cancer. Furthermore, JR Simplot Co., a potato processor, is waiting approval for genetically engineered potatoes. These potatoes will have decreased black spots from bruising and reduce the formation of acrylamide, a naturally occurring chemical that has been identified as a carcinogen. This is extremely important now with cheap fast foods and a third of the adults being obese. Fast food chains can possibly use the improved ingredients so its healthier. Golden Rice, was a new way scientist used to combat malnutrition and Vitamin A deficiency in areas such as India. It also reduces the need to import more fruits in vegetables to have the same nutritional values. This means that traditional diets don't have to change for a healthier life style. B- Increased yield feeds more and helps economy According to Monsanto, a producer of GMOs, because genetically modified crops are pesticide and herbicide resistant, more of the plants survive. They state that in Mexico, the crop yield increases 9% with herbicide tolerant soybeans. In India, insect resistant cotton has led to yield increases of more than 50% on average. Since plants are hardier and live to their mature stage, not only are there more crops to be had but the crops can also be sold for less money. According to the World Health Organization, "On average, the BT cotton farmers in China reduced pesticide spraying for the Asian bollworm by 70%, producing a kilogram of cotton at 28% less cost than the non-Bt farmers." These benefits have had a significant impact on the agronomic, environmental, health and economic situations of approximately 5 million resource-poor farmers over eight provinces in China. On this issue, Terri Raney, a senior economist of The State of Food and Agriculture, states that "As a result, lower costs and marginally higher yields translate into large net profit gains in China." This means developing nations such as China and countries who rely on agriculture can take another step to being a first world country where the quality of life and such is better. C2- GMOs help the environment compared to regular plants A- Harmful pesticides not needed Herbicides and pesticides are often used to get rid of parasites and weeds. This harms the environment. Since GMOs are designed to be resistant to parasites and weeds, it cuts down on the usage of these chemicals. According to Brink, "In the intensively farmed maize-growing regions of the USA, surface waters have often been contaminated by herbicides, principally as a result of precipitation run-off shortly after application of herbicides to maize and other crops. In general, chemicals are relatively rapidly broken down in the field. A model study in which the chemical tolerant, genetically modified maize was compared with conventional maize showed that chemicals in the run-off of the former could be generally one-fifth to one-tenth of the chemicals in the latter. This is an indication that the introduction of herbicide resistant maize has reduced herbicide concentrations in vulnerable watersheds." WHO states that 220,000 people die from pesticides a year and pesticides can cause side-effects such as cancer . With GMOs, the chances of pesticides getting into water sources is reduced and can prevent these unnecessary deaths. WHO has also stated while developing nations using only 25% of the deaths, 99% of pesticides illness are in these developing nations. With pesticide-resistant GMOs, it can lead to less of these deaths. These people die to help produce food for the world. B- Energy saved In addition, a study by Richard Phipps, a professor at the University of Reading, claims that "While large-scale commercial plantings of GM crops have not yet occurred, a 50% planting of maize, sugar beet and cotton to genetically modified varieties could result in the saving of the equivalent of 20.5 million liters of diesel fuel annually." The conservation of so much energy is beneficial to the environment in the long run especially with global warming growing worse each day. C3- Can help solve problems that have no real solution A- There are a large mosquito populations in both rural and urban areas which could lead from annoyance to sickness. That previously was controlled by DDT in the 20th century, which lead to a decline in Bald Eagle population. Scientist are now able to tinker the genes of male mosquito and make female mosquito infertile, cutting down the mosquito population. B- Goes back to the crop argument, where existing fruits and vegetables can be improved.