Writer: Ilham Ahmed
A Stance on GMOs
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism, or other organism whose genetic makeup has been altered in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. [1] This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial, and virus genes that do not occur naturally or through traditional crossbreeding methods. People often believe GMO foods are harmful to their health or even poisonous and that they damage the environment, despite overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating that they’re safe to eat and promote sustainable agriculture. [2] In a study, 48% of participants said they knew very little about GMOs, and 16% said they knew nothing, compared with 30% knowing a fair amount and 5% knowing a great deal. [3] In addition, one of the biggest myths about GMO crops is that they aren't "natural" and people and animals shouldn't eat them when in reality, we have manipulated crops for thousands of years. Almost everything we consume has been genetically altered. [4] For example, farms have three main concerns that prevent them from having an adequate yield of crops: insects, weeds, and climate. [5] GM crops are at the forefront of solving this issue because they've been modified to resist insects and tolerate herbicides, as well as to be more resilient to climate change making them more efficient and cost-effective, allowing farmers to produce higher yields with less effort. [6]
The FDA does not mandate the labeling of GMO food products since the organization considers GMO foods to be equivalent to traditional foods. [7] As a result of this voluntary scheme, very few companies choose to disclose their use of GMO ingredients. [8] 60% - 70% of supermarket shelves are stocked with GMO foods, which include fruits and vegetables. [9] This means that it is common for people to consume foods containing GMO ingredients unknowingly. Critics who scrutinize GMOs, specifically those intended for consumption, contend that there are ethical concerns regarding informed consent and personal genetic control. Respecting individual autonomy and obtaining proper consent while considering the potential long-term consequences is crucial when making genetic modifications. [10]
Effect of GMO Crops on Biodiversity
GMOs can be engineered to resist pest and insect damage, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides and minimizing the ecological impact of pesticide application in the soil and water. [11] GMOs can also help preserve biodiversity by reducing the need for extensive land use and environmental resources like water, solar energy, and pesticides. [12] Currently, GM crops take up 120 million hectares of land, 10% of the 1.2 billion hectares of land used for primary crops globally. [13] This has been maintained due to increasing crop yields, and being resilient to environmental stress helps maintain agricultural productivity in the face of climate change, contributing to food security, and having enhanced shelf-life which minimizes possible spoilage and slows the ripening process. [12] Over the last 20 years since the ‘90s when GM crops were first introduced in North America, GMOs have reduced pesticide applications by 8.2% and increased crop yields by 22%. [14][15]
Some experts express concern about genetic modification since it could have unforeseen impacts on biodiversity. For example, the introduction of GMOs into the environment could disrupt the balance of native species, leading to the displacement of existing species or the emergence of new pests if they crossbreed with wild relatives. [16] Altering an organism's genetic makeup might result in unintended environmental or health consequences as there are worries regarding the possibility of developing "superbugs" or “superweeds” and making unpredictable or uncontrollable changes in ecosystems. [17] This could negatively impact non-target organisms and soil and water ecosystems, which can be affected by some GM crops. [18] For example, herbicide-tolerant corn and soy, which are paired with herbicides, threaten the habitat of monarch butterflies in North America. [18] Farmers can switch to different types of herbicides or adopt other weed control methods such as crop rotation and cover cropping to combat herbicide-resistant weeds. In addition, farmers can also use mechanical weeding and cultural practices such as hand hoeing and mowing to help reduce weed pressure. But wait! What about the health of cats, dogs, and livestock? Don’t worry!
Animal Welfare Risk
Claiming that animals and humans cannot digest GMOs because they have been modified is absurd. Extensive studies lasting up to 12-15 years are conducted on GMOs before they are introduced to the market, followed by further studies after they become available to consumers. [4] According to a 2019 study by the University of California, Davis, genetically engineered (GE) feed and food are safe. The study also found no significant nutritional differences in the milk, meat, or eggs of animals that consumed GMO feed. [4] It’s been reported that over 95% of beef and dairy animals in the US consume GM crops. [19] As far as animal health and safety are concerned, GMO foods are no different from non-GMO foods because the DNA in GMO foods cannot be passed along to animals. [19] There has never been any evidence of GE or rDNA or encoded proteins in milk, meat, or eggs of animals that have eaten GE feed. [4][20] Animals' digestive systems are designed to break down and digest proteins. Any proteins from GM crops would be digested along with natural proteins, leaving no GM proteins in the food chain. Numerous studies have revealed that small pieces of naturally occurring plant DNA can enter the tissues of animals that consume plants, but not those that are genetically modified. [20]
GMOs and the Future
Even though my stance is for GMOs, we need to consider people’s rights such as the right to knowledge. We need to make sure that the labeling of GMO products is taken seriously, as most consumers don’t know which products are genetically modified. Companies need to keep their buyers informed, and even though I believe in the use of GMOs, others have the right to their opinions and should therefore have all the facts needed. If consumers wish to use alternatives to GMOs they can buy organic products or products made from conventional breeding involving genetic modification techniques.
Sources & Works Cited
[1] WHO Team. (2024, October 4). Food, genetically modified. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/food-genetically-modified?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[2] Blancke, S. (2024, February 20). Why people oppose GMOs even though science says they are safe. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-people-oppose-gmos-even-though-science-says-they-are-safe/
[3] Wunderlich, S., & Gatto, K. A. (2015). Consumer perception of genetically modified organisms and sources of information. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 6(6), 842–851. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.008870
[4] Dotterweich, L. (2019, November 4). GMOs and animal feed: Getting the facts. AFIA. https://www.afia.org/news/afia-blog/gmos-and-animal-feed-getting-the-facts/
[5] Why do we use GMOs? (n.d.). Purdue University - College of Agriculture. https://ag.purdue.edu/gmos/why-gmos.html
[6] Why do farmers grow GMOs? Ask a farmer: Real farm lives. (2022, May 25). Real Farm Lives. https://realfarmlives.ca/why-farmers-use-gmos/
[7] Nestle, M. (2015, May 14). It’s Time to Require Labels for GMOs. TIME. https://time.com/3853160/require-labels-for-gmos/
[8] Labelling genetically modified (GM) foods. (2022, May 18). Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/genetically-modified-foods-other-novel-foods/labelling.html
[9] Caldwell, M., Philpott, T., Lee, J., Weinberg, A., Vesoulis, A., Graham, M., Corn, D., Rindlisbacher, E., Tigue, K., & Coghill, A. (2013, August 5). 5 Surprising Genetically Modified Foods – Mother Jones. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/what-are-gmos-and-why-should-i-care/
[10] Herington, J. (2018). AGAINST THE AUTONOMY ARGUMENT FOR MANDATORY GMO LABELING. Public Affairs Quarterly, 32(2), 85–118. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26909986
[11] How GMO Crops Impact Our World. (2023, April 19). FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/how-gmo-crops-impact-our-world
[12] Sims, T. (2020, December 11). GMO Crops: Safety, Regulation and Sustainability Insights – Food Insight. Food Insight. https://foodinsight.org/gmo-crops-safety-regulation-and-sustainability-insights/
[13] Most Cropland Isn't Used for Direct Food Consumption. (2022, December 20). World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/crop-expansion-food-security-trends
[14] Stebbins, M. (2019, April 22). GMOs Have Benefits for the Environment | BIO. Biotechnology Innovation Organization | BIO. https://www.bio.org/blogs/gmos-have-benefits-environment
[15] What GM crops are being grown and where? (n.d.). Royal Society. https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/gm-plants/what-gm-crops-are-currently-being-grown-and-where/
[16] Consequences of GMOs for biodiversity | Biotechnology. (n.d.). Government.nl. https://www.government.nl/topics/biotechnology/consequences-of-gmos-for-biodiversity
[17] Do GMOs cause "superweeds"? (n.d.). Genetic Literacy Project. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/gmo-faq/do-gmos-cause-superweeds/
[18] Environmental Impacts | CBAN. (n.d.). Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. https://cban.ca/gmos/issues/environmental-impacts/
[19] GMO Crops, Animal Food, and Beyond. (2022, August 3). FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond
[20] Singh, R. (2022, June 12). Application of Genetically modified (GMOs) or Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops used for Livestock Feeding for a better Nutrition. Pashudhan Praharee. https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/application-of-genetically-modified-gmos-or-genetically-engineered-ge-crops-used-for-livestock-feeding-for-a-better-nutrition/
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