A genetically modified
organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic
engineering techniques.
Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as
bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals. GMOs are the source of genetically
modified foods and are also
widely used in scientific research and to produce goods other than food.
Genetically Modified Food
crop plants created for consumption that
have been modified in a laboratory
Genetic engineering
Making changes in the DNA code of a living
organism
Selective breeding
The breeding of animals or plants that
have desirable characteristics
Genome
All of an organism's hereditary
information
Modification
Change in an organism caused by
environmental factors
GRAS
Acronym for Generally Recognized As Safe
Cross Breeding
Reproduction between two different species
to create a new one
Gene Splicing
cutting the DNA of a gene to add base
pairs
Gene transfer
The insertion of one organism's
genetic information in the form of DNA into another organism
Biotechnology
The use of living things and technology to
make products
Proponents Claim That There are Many Advantages:
- Crops are more productive and have a larger
yield.
- Could potentially offer more nutrition and
flavor (although this is debated).
- A possibility that they could eliminate
allergy-causing properties in some foods.
- Inbuilt resistance to pests, weeds and disease.
- More capable of thriving in regions with poor
soil or adverse climates.
- More environment friendly as they require less
herbicides and pesticides.
- Foods are more resistant and stay ripe for
longer so they can be shipped long distances or kept on shop shelves for
longer periods.
- As more GMO crops can be grown on relatively
small parcels of land, they are an answer to feeding growing world
populations.
Corporations
insist that:
- Genetically modified foods are safe. Changing a
few genes here and there does not make a crop toxic or dangerous.
- Why shouldn't we alter nature to meet our needs?
There are many natural organisms that human beings have transformed to
serve their purpose.
Critics Cite the Dangers of GMO
- Scientists can choose which genes to manipulate,
but they don't yet know where in the DNA to precisely insert these genes
and they have no way of controlling gene expression. Genes don't work in
isolation, changing a few could change the whole picture, with
unpredictable results.
- The use of genetically modified food should not
be encouraged without research into the risks.
- Not labeling is wrong and unfair to the consumers
who should have the right to know what they are buying so they can decide
for themselves whether they want to buy the food or not. Even if health
safety factors are not an issue, some people might have moral or religious
objections. They should not have to eat GMOs if they don't want to.
- Genetically modified crops pose a risk to food
diversity as the plants are much more dominant.
- Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops
could give rise to super-weeds and super-pests that would need newer,
stronger chemicals to destroy them.
- GMO crops cross-pollinate with nearby non-GMO
plants and could create ecological problems. If this were to happen with
GMO foods containing vaccines, antibiotics, contraceptives and so on, it
would very well turn into a human health nightmare.
- The claim of ending world hunger with GMOs is
false. World hunger is not caused by a shortage of food production, but by
sheer mismanagement, and lack of access to food brought about by various
social, financial and political causes.
- GMO technology companies patent their crops and
also engineer crops so that harvested grain germs are incapable of
developing. This is not empowering to impoverished Third World farmers,
who cannot save seeds for replanting and have to buy expensive seeds from
the companies every year. The new technology also interferes with
traditional agricultural methods which may be more suited to local
environments.
- GMOs are not the answer to world hunger and
health. Instead we should focus on improving organic agricultural
practices which are kinder to the earth and healthier for humans.
