GMO's:Future Food or Frankenfood???

I have my own opinion about GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), but for the purpose of this article, I will present both sides of the issue. First, however, let’s discuss a little of the science behind them.

Biotechnology is the field of science concerned with modifying the DNA of plants by adding or removing genes. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) are plants or bacteria which have been changed in this manner to produce certain desired traits (Schlenker & Roth, 2011). Genetic Modification is accomplished through biotechnology or plant breeding. Prior to 1990, crops were grown using traditional methods. After that time, biotechnology dramatically changed the way food was produced. Today biotechnology is used in agriculture and food processing.

The three major goals of biotechnology are:

• Resistance to Disease and insects: Because plants that are produced using biotechnology have a built in resistance to disease and insects, fewer pesticides need to be used which is better for the environment (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2012). Pesticides are designed to kill and therefore by their very nature pose a risk to all living organisms and the environment (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2011).
• Increased tolerance to weather conditions: Plants genetically modified to survive in extreme weather conditions are less likely to be destroyed by late frost. This has the potential to increase crop yields and food shortages, especially in the developing world (Schlenker & Roth, 2011).
• Increased nutritional value: Genetic modification has increased the monounsaturated fatty acid content of soybean oil and scientists are working toward increasing the lycopene content of tomatoes and increasing the protein and micronutrients of grain. This could help lessen nutrient deficiencies in developing countries (Schlenker & Roth, 2011).

The three major concerns those opposing GMO’s have are:

• Risk of allergic reactions: Biotechnology changes the proteins in these crops and may introduce proteins which have the properties of known allergens. There is a growing body of evidence of allergies which have been caused by GMO soy and corn and even though screening for this is recommended, many of the GMO crops in our food supply fail those tests (Institute for Responsible Technology, 2009).
• Potential toxicity: Biotechnology crops have been linked to disease, sterility and death. Animal deaths were linked to Biotech cotton plants, corn and potatoes and people in five Filipino villages became ill when Biotech corn was pollinating (Institute for Responsible Technology, 2009).
• Environmental concerns: The GM crops may themselves become weeds, they may move GM crops may serve as conduits and move to wild plants creating weeds, they could produce toxic substances which can spread to plants and animals, and they could affect the ecosystem. So far none of these concerns have come to fruition (Mellon & Rissler, 2003).

Here in the United States GMO’s are considered safe based on experience not on scientific testing. In order to know for sure whether they are safe or not, scientific research and testing must be conducted to find out how the new proteins which are formed affect human health and how the transfer of the new gene affects plant metabolism (GMO Compass, 2006).

So to answer the question posed in the title of this article, even though the benefits of GMO crops have the potential to increase crop yields, reduce food shortages and improve the nutritional value of the world’s food supply; not knowing whether or not these foods are safe for human consumption makes eating them a questionable practice.
References:

Biotechnology Industry Organization. (2012, June 1).Global economic and environmental benefits of ge crops continues to rise. Retrieved from http://www.bio.org/articles/global-economic-and-environmental-benefits-ge-crops-continues-rise

GMO Compass. (2006, February 15). Evaluating safety: A major undertaking. Retrieved   from    http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/safety/human_health/41.evaluation_safety_gm_food_major_undertaking.html

Institute for Responsible Technology. (2009). Health risks - gmo's. Retrieved from             “http://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks

Mellon, M., & Rissler, J. (2003, June 12). Ucsusa. Retrieved from             http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html

Schlenker, E. D., & Roth, S. L. (2011). Williams' essentials of nutrition and diet therapy.    (Tenth ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2011, November 29).Environmental contaminants  program. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/Issues/Pesticides.cfm