Genetically Modified Foods

What are genetically modified foods? Genetically modified foods are foods that have been developed by a process known as "biotechnology," a form of genetic engineering that directly manipulates the genetic makeup of organisms. Using this technology, these plants are modified in laboratories to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. GM crops deliver value on multiple levels-- to the farmer, to the environment, and to consumers. Yet why is there so much controversy? What I'd like to do is address and answer several concerns posed by anti-biotech activists.

First, anti-biotech activists warn that GM foods are unacceptable because scientists are "tampering" with nature by mixing genes among species. Let me say first that scientists are indeed tampering with genomes. But the truth of the matter is, this is an old human tradition first started 10,000 years ago when humans first began to cross-pollinate crops and to breed mutant crops-- Like our very own wheat, which is actually a hybrid of three separate grass species!

Genetic engineer Eliot Entis states that, "with biotechnology, the agricultural advantages are far greater: things that could not easily be done--or perhaps not even done at all--through standard crossbreeding, are now made possible through modern methods." This includes increased yields and the productions of larger, more nutritional crops in substantially less amount of time.

Second, anti-biotech activists claim that GM foods fail to deliver promised benefits, and are not helpful to farmers. But this just isn't true: Farmers continue to embrace bioengineered crop varieties, freely choosing to plant biotech improved crops, year after year. According to research studies lead by non-advocates at the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy, "As a direct result of the introduction of biotech improved crops, pesticide use has been dramatically reduced, and herbicide use has shifted from older, narrow spectrum and higher toxicity compounds to the newer generation of broader spectrum lower impact formulas." Despite denials made by anti-biotech activists, biotech crops continue to deliver value to farmers, including lower overall costs and more efficient methods for controlling insect pests, weeds and diseases with reduced environmental impacts.

The third and last accusation that I'd like to address is the accusation made by anti-biotech activists that GM foods are not safe. According to AG biotech experts, "Crops improved through biotechnology have undergone more safety and environmental testing than any crop varieties in history, and have been produced and consumed by humans and animals in millions of tons around the world for years." Studies have shown these crops to be at least as safe as, and in many ways safer than, conventional crops and foods. Infact, currently commercialized biotech crops have been approved by three U.S. government agencies, both the American Medical Association and British Medical Association, as well as dozens of other scientific bodies.

According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, in 2003, about 167 million acres grown by 7 million farmers in 18 countries were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide and insecticide-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola. Other crops grown commercially or field-tested are a sweet potato resistant to a virus that could decimate most of the African harvest, rise with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes.

In addition to these productive yields, biotech scientists are now conducting studies that could help with a variety of other ailments. Such as bioengineered bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly; fruit and nut trees that yield years earlier; plants that produce new plastics with unique properties; drought-resistant grasses to alleviate water shortages; and gene-spliced rice that enhances levels of beta carotene, beneficial to children world-wide who suffer from inadequate levels of many important micronutrients, such as vitamin A.

By making people fearful of the health hazards of GMOs, the interest groups have unnecessarily abused science in order to promote a quite different agenda. With so many advancements on the horizon, genetic modification holds out the promise of sustainable agriculture in developing countries and the end to famine through crops which are resistant to drought and require fewer expensive pesticides. GM crops have the potential to improve the quality of life for people world-wide. It's time to embrace this change and support scientists dedicated to bettering humanity.

References

http://www.africabiotech.com/news2/article.php?uid=49

http://www.ncfap.org/

Food Myth:
http://www.agbioworld.org/biotech-info/articles/agbio-articles/myths.html

60 Minutes Coverage
http://www.organicconsumers.org/gefood/60minGEfood.cfm