The world evolved through in so many aspects, to the point where food creation has evolved in a scientific way as well. Most people would believe it has something to do with natural ingredients, but technology and science have grown to create foods all around the world. Over the course of the years, evolution in technology has made it so we can add many things to the food that we eat on a daily basis. Genetically modified food and crops have become widely produced and consumed. Throughout the years, it’s become very rare to find organic and naturally grown foods in local supermarkets because of how overused these man-made and edited foods are. This has created controversy within communities on the question of whether food should continue to be genetically modified or not. On one side, most believe that these genetically modified foods won’t allow for the same natural nutrients to be passed and given to the people who consume them and could have late effects on them, as well. On the other hand, others believe that genetically modifying hasn’t caused any harm to anyone and although the foods don’t have the same amount on nutrients, there is a sufficient amount for them to keep the consumer health.
The intended audience for this paper isn’t necessary for a professional, but rather an audience that has no knowledge of genetically modified organisms and how they are used in crops and food in our modern time. This paper can also be read for anyone who would like to understand both the positive and negative aspects of the GMOs. Anyone without any scientific knowledge, as well, can refer to this paper for knowledge and such for GMOs. This paper will also allow for these people with know knowledge to choose a side of whether it is good or bad to use GMOs in our food.
To begin, what exactly are Genetically Modified Organisms? According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been available for commercial purchase since the 1990s, allowing producers to increase crop yields through bioengineering that creates herbicide-resistant and insect-resistant varieties.” (National Center of Biotechnology) In other words, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are created in laboratories to inject genes from bacteria, animal, and humans into the DNA of a food crop. Federal agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) refer to genetically modified organisms as agriculture biotechnology. The USDA defines GMOs as, “Agricultural biotechnology is a range of tools, including traditional breeding techniques, that alter living organisms, or parts of organisms, to make or modify products; improve plants or animals; or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses. Modern biotechnology today includes the tools of genetic engineering.” They’ve been used in food all over the world since 1994, when a biotechnology company, named Calgene, Inc., tried to tried to commercialize a Flavr Savr. The company’s goal with the product was to slow down the process of the tomato softening after the ripening, but it wasn’t successful. With these definitions and information in mind about the beginning of GMO, the issue of whether GMOs should continue to be used or not can be discussed.
The controversy on whether GMOs should be continued comes with two main sides. The first side claims that GMOs are safe for human consumption. There have been no recorded cases of illnesses from GMOs or any long term effects that have harmed any consumer. The USDA has also stated, “The application of biotechnology in agriculture has resulted in benefits to farmers, producers, and consumers. Biotechnology has helped to make both insect pest control and weed management safer and easier while safeguarding crops against disease.” They continue by stating that agricultural biotechnology was initiated with the goal to protect crops from diseases. “The papaya ringspot virus threatened to derail the Hawaiian papaya industry until papayas resistant to the disease were developed through genetic engineering. This saved the U.S. papaya industry. Research on potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and other crops continues in a similar manner to provide resistance to viral diseases that otherwise are very difficult to control.” (USDA). With the help of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the FDA, they allow to “ensure that crops produced through genetic engineering for commercial use are properly tested and studied to make sure they pose no significant risk to consumers or the environment.” According to the New York Times, that although now dangerous hazards have been recorded throughout the GMO history, “the fears of G.M.O.s are still theoretical, like the possibility that insertion of one or a few genes could have a negative impact on other desirable genes naturally present in the crop.” (New York Times, Jane E. Brody). Brody states, “an analysis of 76 studies published in February in Scientific Reports by researchers in Pisa, Italy, found that genetically engineered corn has a significantly higher yield than non-genetically modified varieties and contains lower amounts of toxins commonly produced by fungi.” (New York times, Brody) This information proves the benefits that GMOs can bring. Not only this, but in one study by Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the final report resulted that foods made from such crops did not pose any health risks. Many laws have also been made that mandated companies to label whether their products are genetically modified or not.
The other side would be people who oppose the use of genetically modified organisms. Brody has named both sides in her article, beginning to state that genetically modified foods aren’t as safe they seem. In the article, she states, “This means that the GMOs that humans consume could actually harm us as well, considering that it may be some long term effects rather than short term or early effects. It’s widely known that the long term effects of GMOs are still unknown.” According to her, a weed killer put to keep weeds in crops in check was linked to an increase of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a number of neurological disorders.In another New York Times article, the European Union’s court ruling has created for tougher regulations if GMOs were to be put on the market. A study coordinated by the American Study of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) in 2009, health risks were found in the study “including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.” (IRT, Smith). This evidence causes controversy because although some scientists don’t find an health risks, others do.
Regarding people who oppose GMOs, in a New York Times article written by Nicholas Bakalar, he points out that people who aren’t well informed about the process of genetically modified foods are usually the ones who oppose it. In a research study, by Nature Human Behavior, “researchers surveyed 501 randomly selected adults, testing their knowledge of G.M.O.s with a series of true/false questions.” (New York Times, Bakalar). Towards the end of the survey, after also asking the question of how much they thought they knows, it came to the result that “extreme opponents know the least, but think they know the most.” (Natural Human Behavior, Fernbach). This study proves that people should be more well informed on the GMOs, and because of uneducated opinions, the reputation of the genetically modified crops could go down. Despite the constant controversy created around the world about the use of genetically modified foods, more studies have been in progress. The current decision about GMOs is wrapped around laws for consumers to know that the food purchased is genetically modified or not. Brody stated in her article that despite laws mandating these companies to label, they are very rare to find on the packaging of many products. She believes that this could cause more of a hazard to people, especially if some crop genes don’t match with others.
It is important that while more answers are trying to be found, that companies help the public be informed of what genetically modified crops are and in which food they are found in. This will allow people to choose which product to buy, especially if some people don’t feel safe consuming GMO products in a local supermarket. Future studies will finally answer the question that could affect everyone’s health, caused by a human’s main source of nutrients: food.
