Many Americans consume thousands of pounds of genetically modified foods every day. Throughout the 21st century, genetic engineering has had an enormous impact on new research in pharmaceutical and forensic sciences. During that time, he also revolutionized food in America and many other countries around the world. The use of recombinant DNA biotechnology on crops and farm animals helps improve nutrition and quantity of food. However, crops altered with hybrid genes may also contain chemicals harmful to humans. Using developed biotechnology, scientists are able to inject viruses and bacteria into plant embryos to produce genetically modified crops (). The same goes for transgenic farm animals to increase the size of the animal, thus producing more meat. Hormones injected into the genes of farm animals make them grow faster for commercialization. People who consume genetically modified meat are susceptible to infections. Genetically modified foods affect human health by causing disease, obesity and genetic mutations in human fetuses. In the United States, many people die from diseases transmitted through genetically modified (GM) foods. Additionally, 5,200 people die from foodborne illnesses each year in the United States (Frenzen). Another 3,400 are killed by unknown pathogens such as bacteria, toxins, viruses and prions transmitted through genetically modified foods (Frenzen). Prions are infectious protein particles that, unlike viruses, do not contain nucleic acid, do not trigger an immune response, and are not destroyed by extreme heat or cold(). Prions that enter the human body can alter the immune system by killing thousands of cells, triggering disease in tissues. Many deaths caused by unknown pathogens are not re... middle of paper ......the human body undergoes intercellular inflammation that causes damage to the arteries. Finally, genetically modified foods can alter and mutate fetuses during pregnancy, especially in the first and second trimesters. According to Sherbrook University Hospital in Quebec, Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides used in corn production are a toxin that affects unborn humans. 93% of 30 pregnant women and 80% of each child's blood were found to contain Bt toxins (Jeffrey). Bt is a soil bacterium genetically inserted into the cells of corn crops to help plants fight off deadly pests. Monsanto and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said: “Once ingested, the toxicant is destroyed by the human digestive system and cannot harm the human immune system (Jeffery).” Unfortunately, there are traces of the toxin found in many fetuses whose mothers ingested Bt corn.