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GMO
Lorraine Metz
• Genetically modified foods, according to the Cambridge
Dictionary, are “genetically modified food: food from
crops whose genes have been scientifically changed.”
There is much controversy amongst this alteration in
genes. The World Health Organization states that “The
initial objective for developing plants based on GM
organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM
crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an
increased level of crop protection through the
introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused
by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance
towards herbicides.”
• Peter Pringle, author of several books and
graduate of Oxford University discusses, “A
decade ago, two European biotech plan
researches found a way to insert a daffodil
gender into a rice plant…The new rice grains
contained beta-carotene. In humans, it
becomes the essential nutrient known as vitamin
A. And lack of vitamin A causes death and
blindness in millions of undernourished people in
Asia and Africa where rice is a staple food. In
theory, the golden rice with beta-carotene could
save millions of lives.”
• Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumer
Association national director argues the fact that
GM could save lives. He claims “Life science
corporations proclaim that their new products
will make agriculture sustainable, eliminate
world hunger, cure disease, and vastly improve
public health. However, these gene engineers
have made it clear, through their business
practices and political lobbying, that they intend
to use GE to monopolize the global market for
seeds, foods, fiber, and medical products.”
• Say No to GMOs, a group dedicated to spreading awareness of the
downfalls of Genetically Modified Organisms, prides itself on its
strong arguments against GMOs. They argue the safety of GMOs
as well as the possible outcomes that have been presented for it. A
few of their arguments include that “GM crops do not increase yield
potential” and that GM foods have not been shown safe to eat.
They claim that “genetic modification is a crude and imprecise way
of incorporating foreign genetic material into crops, with
unpredictable consequences.” They also go on to argue that “Only
one study has been published on the direct effects on humans of
eating a GM food. It found unexpected effects on gut bacteria, but
was never followed up.” With the insertions of bacteria, viruses and
genes into completely different organisms, it does seem probable
that it is not completely safe.
• Agricultural company, Monsanto, counters the
previous point. Monsanto shares that, “In a
2000 report, a committee of the National
Academies noted, "The committee is not aware
of any evidence that foods on the market are
unsafe to eat as a result of genetic modification,"
and other groups have reached similar
conclusions.” This company sees the benefit of
GMOs and has patents to numerous seeds that
have been genetically modified.
• The Institute for Responsible Technology
recently explored the topic of GM Foods. They
state the “There are several reasons why GM
plants present unique dangers. The first is that
the process of genetic engineering itself creates
unpredicted alterations, irrespective of which
gene is transferred. The gene insertion process,
for example, is accomplished by either shooting
genes from a “gene gun” into a plate of cells, or
using bacteria to infect the cell with foreign DNA.
Both create mutations in and around the
insertion site and elsewhere.”
• Monsanto argues this point in responding to the question ‘Are GM
crops safe?’ The first large acreage plantings of GM crops--herbicide
tolerant soybeans and canola--took place in 1996 after successfully
passing U.S. regulatory review. Since then, additional GM crops with
herbicide tolerance, insect tolerance and virus resistance have been
given clearance for planting and consumption. These include
varieties of corn, sugar beets, squash and papaya. All of these crops
have been assessed for food and feed safety in producing countries,
and many more countries have approved the import of food or food
ingredients that contain GM products. Hundreds of millions of meals
containing food from GM crops have been consumed. There has not
been a single substantiated instance of illness or harm associated
with GM crops.”