This essay will discuss about Genetically-Modified (GM) Foods or also known as genetically-engineered or transgenic food or Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMO). GMOs are “crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content”. Traditionally, enhancement of organisms’ genes has been done by humans through selective breeding which depends on nature . This selective breeding eventually evolved to systematic hybridization which involves the controlled transfer of genes within species and not between different species. Hybridization though takes a long time before a new variety of crop can be produced. With the onset of modern biotechnology which made possible the transfer of genes between different species, GMOs became a very promising solution to the fast growing population of the world.
Advocates of GM foods claim that there are several benefits to genetically-engineered foods. The main benefit of GM foods is that due to their faster growth rate, there can be an increased supply of plants and animals, which can reduce cost. Moreover, most GM foods have a longer shelf life. They can be more nutritious and tastier than other types of foods. Other desirable traits of foods can be enhanced in GM foods such as a new breed of potatoes that absorbs less fat when fried. They require less environmental resources such as water and fertilizers and may be disease and drought-resistant. Because it is disease-resistant, there is a decrease use of pesticides and herbicides. Other GM fruits and vegetables have medicinal value because it may contain various vaccines that prevent diseases.
Although GM foods are said to have numerous benefits, critics of these types of food argue that they have potential risks too. The three most important concerns are environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns. There have been studies that showed that GM organisms unintentionally harm other organisms. The danger of cross-breeding or gene transfer to non-target species in wild populations is an area of concern because GM organisms may be toxic to the natural plant communities and other ecosystems. Biodiversity may be disrupted. The effectiveness of pesticides may be reduced because GM foods may produce their own pesticides.
Foremost among the human health risks of GM foods is allergenicity. The introduction of a gene to a plant may create new allergens that may be harmful to some individuals.
Patent infringement is a main economic concern of GM foods. Most genetically-engineered plants have been patented; thus, raising its cost. The high price of these seeds will make it unaffordable to small farmers and third world countries; thereby, further widening the gap between the poor and wealthy communities. Another economic issue of GM foods is its effect on land use and recovery. Since GM foods are said to be more productive, less land can be allocated to agriculture which may reduce soil erosion and environmental degradation.
The most affected part of society affected by GMOs are the farmers. Farmers now have a choice whether they want to grow GM foods. Since GMOs promise increased yield and crop protection from pests and droughts, it is very tempting for farmers to switch to these kinds of seeds. It is therefore necessary that farmers be well-educated about the effects of GMOs. Another issue of concern for farmers is that they have a risk now of being sued by companies with patented GMOs because their fields may be unintentionally contaminated by GMOs through cross breeding from neighboring fields. Aside from farmers, the part of society which is also greatly affected by GM foods are the ordinary consumers. Some consumers are now more wary because they do not know if what they are eating have genetically engineered ingredients. The effect of GM foods to the health is still a big question; thus, not all consumers welcome the development of GM foods.
GM foods is a very relevant contemporary health topic today. Its potential benefits and risks on a person’s health make it an important issue. What is essential is that one weighs the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs on a person’s health before one can truly say that GM foods are safe. Increased testing of GM foods should be undertaken by government organizations before they should be placed in the market. There should be mandatory labeling so that consumers are well-informed whether the food that they consume contain genetically modified ingredients.
GM foods impact on health, economics and the environment. Without a doubt, GM foods are here to stay. Whether societies of the future will benefit from GM foods still remains to be a nagging question.
Works Cited
Environmental Literacy Council. "Genetically modified crops." 2007.
Heit, Jeffrey. Genetically engineered foods. 5 July 2012. Web. 30 May 2014 <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002432.htm>.
Non-GMO Project. "GMO facts." 2014. nongmorproject.org. Web. 30 May 2014 <http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/>.
Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College. Genetically modified foods. 2012. Web. 30 May 2014 <http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/genetically-modified-foods>.
Whitman, Deborah B. Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or helpful? April 2000. Web. 30 May 2014 <http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>.
World Health Organization. Food, genetically modified. 2014. Web. 30 May 2014 <http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/>.
