Introduction
In order to fulfill the food demands of the fast growing population of the world, a faster process of producing crops with enhanced desirable traits has replaced the conventional production. Since conventional plant breeding is a time consuming affair, genetic engineering technology has been put to use for producing plants with enhanced amount of nutritional content and increased resistance to herbicides and pests. Though genetically modified or genetically engineered foods have certain benefits, in recent years a great many side effects of these foods have come to the forefront. In the wake of the health issues and environmental hazards caused by GM foods, the market for organic food is growing high because organic foods though expensive are a healthier option. This essay will highlight the reasons for the increasing popularity of organic foods over GMO foods and why more and more people are shifting their focus onto organic food consumption.
Negative Effects of GMO Food
In order to appreciate the benefits of the organic foods, it is important to take a look at the negative effects of GMO foods that are so plentifully sold in the market. GMO foods are genetically mutant products which have been genetically modified for faster production and increased amount of nutrients. Mixing of one gene into another is a common feature of GMO food production. However, over the years, a number of side effects of GMO foods have been identified some of which are detailed below:
Allergenicity
Many studies have claimed and proved the hazardous effects of eating GMO foods. Due to GMO foods, many children as well as adults in the USA and Europe have become allergic to peanuts and other foods. CDC has confirmed that there are an increasing number of allergic reactions found among the general population in recent years. In 1996, a company named Pioneer Hi-Bred incorporated Brazil nuts into soybeans to boost up the protein content of methionine but some people are so allergic to these nuts that they can get into anaphylactic shock causing death. Thus genetic engineering can introduce the allergens of one food into another, triggering allergic reaction in people susceptible to allergies (Whitman, 2000). If without proper safety testing and labeling notice, foods like tomatoes modified with fish genes and soybeans with petunia flowers are sold in the market, the sensitive section of people get exposed to higher risk of suffering from allergic reactions.
Carcinogenicity
Larger corporations like Monsanto in order to make the business of milk production more profitable inject protein hormones like rBGH to stimulate the pituitary glands of cows in way that more milk is produced. rBGH is a genetically modified growth hormone contributive to the increase of IGF-1 which is a powerful chemical hormone potent enough to cause colorectal, prostate and breast cancer. The claims made by Monsanto that pasteurization kills the hormone making it ineffective is totally misleading as numerous research and studies have proved that pasteurization doesn't quash the hormone. Not only milk, all the products sold by Monsanto are carcinogenic (Lendman, 2013).
Environmental Hazards
Not only GMO food poses risks to human health, it also presents threat to the environment. A laboratory study shows that the pollen collected from B.t. corn has increased the mortality rates of monarch butterfly caterpillars. Though these caterpillars feed on milkweed plants, it is feared that the pollen from B.t. corn could be blown away by the wind into neighboring milkweed plant fields accounting for the death of the caterpillars.
The GMO food industry uses the marketing pitch that genetically modified seeds and plants will reduce the use of toxic pesticide and herbicide. But the overall outcome is diametrically opposite with majority of the GMO products specifically modified to be toxin resistant. For instance, Monsanto sells Roundup Ready seeds which can survive the applications of Roundup herbicide. These Roundup seeds lead to the growth of superweeds which are herbicide resistant and as a result, farmers need to use more applications of toxic herbicides than they would have used for conventional weed management. The residual herbicides, besides decaying soil, remain in the GMO foods and make way into the stomach of the consumers, causing birth defects, sterility, cancer and hormonal disbalance.
What is Organic Food?
Organic foods are agricultural products produced by following some specific parameters like safe soil, no modifications and separation from conventional products. Any synthetic pesticides or herbicides, petroleum-based fertilizers, genetically modified genes and sewage sludge-based fertilizers cannot be used during the production of organic crops. Unlike GMO foods in which growth hormones and altered genes are introduced into the livestock and vegetables, organic products are devoid of any such synthetic alterations. Organic livestock must be fed on organic feed and no antibiotics, growth hormones and altered genes can be introduced into the animals.
How is Organic Products Different?
Organic production differs from conventional GMO production in a number of ways. First of all, conventional producers of agricultural products invest a hefty amount of money on herbicides and pesticides to curb insects, fungi, weeds, bacteria and viruses. They also use a lot of synthetic fertilizers to nourish the soil (Felton, 2012). Since organic production doesn't allow using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, natural fertilizers such as compost piles and manure are used to fertilize crops which is more natural and therefore, in case of organic products there are no chances of residual pesticides and herbicides making way into the consumers as is the case with GMO foods.
All the seeds used for conventional production are genetically modified. These genetically altered seeds are resistant to herbicides and pests. As a result these seeds create superweeds for the removal of which farmers use an increased amount of herbicides and pesticides. But organic produce are made from organic seeds that are devoid of any genetic modification and therefore, these seeds don't cross breed with weeds to create superweeds.
Unlike GMO livestock which lives on genetically modified feed, organic meat, eggs and dairy products are fed organic feed. Further they are allowed to graze outdoors and live in conditions favorable for their natural behavior (Organic Foods). Organic livestock and poultry are not allowed to be administered hormonal injections, antibiotics and medications unless ill. The livestock diseases and parasites are usually taken care of by preventive measures including balanced diet, sanitary living conditions, grazing and reduction of stress.
Unlike GMO foods which are not labeled, organic foods are certified. This certification is attached with products which have been produced following the set criteria for organic production. In the US, the 'USDA Organic' seal indicates that the food is 95 to 100% organic. Foods that contain 70% organic ingredients will not be certified with the USDA seal though a label specifying the organic ingredients will be displayed on the package (Gosselin, 2011).
Benefits of Organic Produce
Organic foods are a healthier option than GMO foods. Unlike GMO foods, organic foods are not conducive to allergic reaction. Rather studies have shown that the symptoms of allergic reaction decrease if organic foods are eaten regularly. Organic produce devoid of pesticides is free from the harmful effect caused by the residual pesticides of eating GMO food. Due to the absence of additives, organic foods are eaten fresh and that is why they are healthy. Organic farming does not harm the environment. It reduces soil erosion, pollution of air, soil and water, conserves water and increases fertility of the soil.
Organic Food is Only Choice
Despite studies and numerous research results showing the negative effects of GMO foods, there are no regulations imposed on the production of GMO foods by the government due to mainly political reasons. FDA does not make it mandatory for the GMO companies to put labels on the GMO foods and does not conduct any safety assessment study. As a result, the production of GMO foods is completely unregulated with big GMO corporations manipulating the entire market to their advantage. Taking into account the abundance of GMO foods in the market with no labels or list specifying the ingredients used for the production of GMO foods attached on the package, health conscious people are left with the only choice to switch to organic foods. Especially people sensitive to allergies are more wary than ever about what they put into their mouths and this explains why more and more people are changing their food choice.
Conclusion
GMO food production may be a faster way to fulfill the needs of a greater number of population but its side effects such as allergenicity, carcinogenicity, environmental hazards cannot be avoided. Given the monopoly of GMO foods in the market held sway by a handful of large agricultural corporations with government showing total indifference to the negative consequences of GMO products, health conscious people are left with the only choice to shift their taste to organic foods which is a healthier option. Free from harmful pesticides and side effects of GMO foods, organic products though expensive are smart choice for anybody wishing to keep himself immune to the harmful side effects of GM strains.
References
Lendman, Stephen (2013). Monsanto’s GMO Killer Seeds: Profits Above Human Health. Global Research. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <http://www.globalresearch.ca/monsantos-gmo-killer-seeds-profits-above-human-health/5336399>
Pollan, Michael (2006). The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. The Penguin Press. New York.
Whitman, Deborah B. (2000). Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?. ProQuest. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>
Felton, Acata (2012). Is Organic Produce Worth Your Hard-Earned Green? Nitty-gritty. Stanford University. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=46697>
Organic Foods. Helpguide.org. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticides_gmo.htm>
Gosselin, Lisa (2011). Do You Know How Many Genetically Modified Foods You're Eating? 8 to Pay Attention To. Huffington Post. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eatingwell/gmo-foods_b_849638.html#s264760title=Genetically_Modified_Food>
Batalion, Nathan (2009). 50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods. Retrieved on 14th August 2013 from <http://www.raw-wisdom.com/50harmful.>
