Introduction

Human health is greatly dependent on biodiversity, which is food supply, fresh water even medicines and
air. Without Biodiversity we cannot have healthy societies and development.

Biodiversity or biological diversity is a term that describes the variety of living beings on earth.
compasses microorganisms, plants, animals, and ecosystems such as coral reefs, forest, rainforest,
deserts, etc.

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the amount of the variety of life on earth. It is the number of different species of plants,
animals, and microorganisms also places and escapes.

The rich biodiversity of our environment is greatly evident and manifested by the following
characteristics:

· Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche and a role to
play.

· Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops.

· Protect freshwater resources.

· Promote soil formation and protection.

· Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.

· Aid in breaking down pollutants.

· Contribute to climate stability.

· Speed recovery from natural disasters.

· Provide more food resources.

· Provide more medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs.

· Offer environmental for recreation and tourism

Biodiversity has a number of functions on the earth. These are as follows:

· Maintaining balance of the ecosystem: Recycling and storage of nutrients, combating pollution,
stabilizing climate, protecting water resources, forming and protecting soil and maintaining Eco
balance

· Provision of biological resources: Provision of medicines and pharmaceuticals, food for the
human population and animals, ornamental plants, wood products, breeding stock and diversity of
species, ecosystems, and genes

· Social benefits: Recreation and tourism, cultural value, and education and research

The role of biodiversity in the following areas will help make clear the importance of biodiversity in
human life:

· Biodiversity and food: 80% of human food supply comes from 20 kinds of plants but humans use
40,000 species for food, clothing, and shelter. Biodiversity provides for a variety of foods for the
planet.

· Biodiversity and human health: The shortage of drinking water is expected to create a major
global crisis. Biodiversity also plays an important role in drug discovery and medicinal resources.
Medicines from nature account for usage by 80% of the world's population.
 · Biodiversity and industry: Biological sources provide many industrial materials. These include
fiber, oil, dyes, rubber, water, timber, paper, and food.

· Biodiversity and culture: Biodiversity enhances recreational activities, like bird watching, fishing,
trekking, etc. It inspires musicians and artista.

Sudden and gradual changes to biodiversity can have severe and unpredictable effects on the health of
all living things, including people. Like spreading disease human to animal, clearing lands can affect the
plant and organism that is useful for medical research. Dynamic changes can affect everything, even our
mental health and religious values.

Furthermore, humans have attached cultural importance to biodiversity for thousands of years. Like
national emblems, in folklore legends and religious documents.

Affected by the presence of, exposure to, and loss of biodiversity.

Today, the cultural value that we place on biodiversity is evident in the amount of time and money that
we spend to enable us to experience nature. Some will gain pleasure from remote, vicarious experiences,
such as through nature documentaries, whereas others prefer more direct encounters.

Although the evidence suggests that humans care about and value biodiversity, we currently have little
understanding as to how this culturally mediated value will be affected by biodiversity loss, and how this
could then impact upon human well-being and health. Current estimates of biodiversity loss place
species extinction rates at 100-1000 times the natural rate, far higher than one would expect from
background predictions.

Potential importance of cultural pathways for human health Evidence from other aspects of human

health research suggests that biodiversity loss might impact upon health via cultural pathways:

· Firstly, we know that individuals are sensitive to seemingly insignificant psychological stimuli
because of cultural associations. Medical treatments provide a good illustration of this. the amount
or color of a medication taken can affect reported health outcomes for both chemically active and
placebo drugs. The color of medication can affect a person's psychology. Like blue for calm and
gentle and red for intense, strong and have greater efficacy.

· Secondly, there is evidence that mental health is negatively affected by awareness of environmental
degradation. Several studies have linked drought with increases in mental health illnesses, including
higher levels of depression and self-reported distress.

· Thirdly, numerous studies provide evidence of mental and physical health being positively
affected by contact with "natural" spaces. Individuals often seek out natural places; Those who
spend more time in natural spaces report fewer health problems, increased feelings of general
health, lower levels of stress, and faster recovery times from illness.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Science, Health, and Politics

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are any living thing that has had its genetic material altered
in some way through human scientific interference. This does not refer to "selective breeding, “Instead,
GMOs undergo a form of gene therapy under laboratory conditions whereby segments of DNA are
spliced, rearranged, or removed altogether. You may have been eating genetically modified food for
years and not even know it.

Agricultural plants are one of the most frequently cited examples of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs). Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs for
food or drug production, food quality, resistance to pest and disease, greater food security, and medical
benefits to the world's growing population. Animals have also been genetically engineered to increase
yield and decrease susceptibility to disease

Potential GMO Applications

commercially valuable proteins in plants, such as spider silk protein and polymers that are used in
surgery or tissue replacement, modified animals have even been used to grow transplant tissues and
human transplant organs, a concept called xenotransplantation. GMOs provide a number of valuable
benefits to humans, but many people also worry about potential risks

Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of GMOs

Despite the fact that the genes being transferred occur naturally in other species, there are unknown
consequences. potential health risks to humans include the possibility of exposure to new allergens in
genetically modified foods, as well as the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes to gut flora.

Horizontal gene transfer of pesticide, herbicide, or antibiotic resistance to some other organisms would
not only put humans at risk, but it would also cause ecological imbalances, promoting the spread of
disease among both plants and animals

The GMO Risk

The core theory behind genetic engineering—that one gene code for one protein—has been proven
inaccurate by the Human Genome Project. It revealed that genes function in complex networks, and the
human genome's 25,000 genes cannot explain the 100,000 proteins our bodies produce. This complexity
challenges the idea that genetic modification is straightforward or fully understood.

Further complicating matters, scientists discovered a second level of coding within DNA that influences
how genes are read and how mutations are interpreted. This means that altering DNA can
unintentionally disrupt both protein production and gene regulation. Since gene modification involves
random gene insertion, it can interfere with essential enzymes and metabolic processes.

Dr. Vrain says, "Every scientist now learns that any gene can give more than one protein and that
inserting a gene anywhere in a plant eventually creates rogue proteins. Some of these proteins are
obviously allergic or toxic."

Genetic engineering is based on a flawed understanding of how genes work, as revealed by the Human
Genome Research Project. The idea that DNA modifications are specific and predictable is false.
Changing one gene can lead to widespread, unintended effects throughout the organism.

The Human Genome Project revealed serious flaws in the science behind genetic engineering, but
powerful biotech corporations have suppressed this information to protect profits. By using political
influence, biased research, and media control, they hide potential health risks and environmental
consequences from the public.

The Risks of Genetic Engineering

The outward risks of genetically engineered, food falls into three categories:

· Environmental Hazards

· Human Health Risk

· Economic Concerns

The use of chemical pesticides and herbicides with GMOs raises concerns about toxicity, particularly to
non-target organisms like bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are essential for crop
pollination. Additionally, the long-term effectiveness of GMOs is uncertain, as pests can evolve
resistance, but the toxic residues from these methods persist, making cumulative effects a critical
consideration.

Small genetic changes in GMOs can lead to large ecological shifts, potentially making them persistent
and invasive in agricultural and natural environments. These modified plants, designed to resist certain
agricultural techniques, can disrupt delicate ecosystems and become invasive species outside controlled
settings.
GMOs also threaten biodiversity by promoting monocropping and reducing the use of heritage seeds,
which diminishes plant diversity. The reduced presence of weed flowers and toxic residues in the soil
harm pollinators and soil bacteria, leading to nutrient depletion and soil degradation, further
perpetuating a reliance on chemical inputs.

Moreover, the environmental impact of GMOs extends beyond the field, as irrigation systems carry
toxins and modified DNA into water sources and the air. Once introduced, GMO plants become part of
larger ecosystems, with potential consequences for a wide range of organisms, including insects,
animals, and even humans.

Human Health Risks

A UK study raised concerns about the potential release of genetically altered DNA into the human
digestive tract, suggesting that genetic transformation could occur within intestinal bacteria. While the
extent of this transformation is not fully understood, it highlights a real risk that genetically modified
DNA might be absorbed into the body.

In 2012, a study in China further deepened these concerns by showing that ingested plant microRNA,
such as that found in Bt crops, survives digestion and can affect human cell function. This microRNA has
been linked to serious diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, challenging Monsanto's
claim that there is no need to test GMO foods for human safety.

A 2012 study in Norway confirmed that GMO genes can be transferred through the intestinal wall into
the blood, where they were detected in blood, muscle tissue, and liver. The study also revealed negative
health effects, such as increased weight gain, decreased immune function, and digestive issues, pointing
to potential risks of GMO consumption that go beyond mere genetic alteration.

Economic Concerns

More than 60% of deaths in the US and other countries are linked to diseases caused by unhealthy diets
high in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The annual medical
costs for obesity alone reached $347 billion in 2008, with related conditions like heart disease and cancer
costing hundreds of billions more each year.

The US agricultural subsidies, known as "The Farm Bill," largely benefit corporations that promote GMO
crops, which are converted into unhealthy products like high-fructose corn syrup and GMO feed for
livestock. Meanwhile, organic farmers, who promote healthier food and sustainable farming practices,
receive much less support.

Farmers who sign contracts with Monsanto for GMO seeds face significant financial burdens, including
royalty and licensing fees, and are prohibited from saving and replanting seeds from their crops, which
was a traditional farming practice. Monsanto's strict contracts and new laws against seed cleaning
businesses put farmers at risk, further consolidating control over the seed market and limiting their
autonomy.