Genetically modified (GM) food is becoming increasingly popular in many places such as the U.S., China, Canada,
and South Africa due to a rapid growth within the population, but is it a safe and
reliable solution? Or are they causing more harm to ourselves and our environment? To answer these questions I did a little research and came up with some interesting findings.
What does genetically modified mean? These foods undergo a (laboratory) technique that is often referred to as a form of genetic engineering, where foreign genes are incorporated into the 'hosts' genome in order to select for more 'advantageous' qualities such as pest and disease resistance, improved nutrition, and certain environmental resistance (cold, humid, salt). For example, some plants have a natural pest tolerance that can aid in growth and survival while other plants do not. Through genetic mapping we can locate and subsequently isolate the gene responsible for the pest tolerance and insert it into the genome of another plant (lacking the gene), so that it too can have the pest tolerance. This technique has been beneficial in many ways, providing new ways to more efficiently and effectively grow foods, but can it be harmful?
The risks associated with the use of GM foods has been
researched and include everything from increased resistance of pesticides to
the creation of new allergens, but what is most alarming to me is unknown long-term effects of these foods. A study I came across by Dr. Ewen and Pusztai looked at the "Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine" and found multiple changes and/or complications in the GI tract. Although not all were (directly) contributed to the genetic modification, there was substantial evidence of biological changes which should be further researched.
Although I have my reservations towards GM foods, I believe the
benefits outweigh the risks because they provide an easy, relatively
inexpensive solution to combat the exponential growth of our population; the
ability to withstand certain environmental pressures such as extreme
temperatures, insects, and even drought increases the efficiency and
reliability of this solution. We (humans) have a great advantage over many
other organisms due to our ability to adapt to a variety of changes, including
changes in our food supply, but we must take steps to ensure the safety and
effectiveness of this solution by continuing to research and investigate possible complications of the GM foods.
What do you think? Should we be more concerned with these GM foods? I'd love to hear your input!
Heres some links for addition info:
http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002432.htm
http://stopogm.net/sites/stopogm.net/files/ewenpusztai.pdf
Heres some links for addition info:
http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002432.htm
http://stopogm.net/sites/stopogm.net/files/ewenpusztai.pdf
Nice first post...
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents on GMOs; To speak about GMOs as a single thing, something monolithic is like discussing drugs as if they could be simply god or bad. If you are prone to infarctions, digitalis in the correct dosage can save your life. However, if you just stuff your face with the plant Digitalis, you're heart will seize up like an overheated engine. My point is that it is completely possible for some GMOs to be used responsibly and be a positive boon to society, and for the same GMO to be used irresponsible to the detriment of public health and ecological stability.
So...why do you think we have a tendency to frame this discussion as if there were a single outcome of using GMOs?
Jeeze. "good" or bad. and "irresponsibly".
ReplyDeleteAnd also, nice first post.
Very good point! I think most of us have a tendency to group GMOs into one category or the other because we want to see things as being either black or white, not both. I think in most cases not fully knowing or understanding how these GMOs can negatively affect us is scarier than the 'known benefits.' One thing that concerns me about GMOs is the 'power' that some of these scientists and/or companies have. Like you said, it is the responsibility of those working with these GMOs to use their power for good or evil, so to speak, which can cause many people to feel uneasy and apprehensive towards these foods.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that worries me the most about GMOS is the affects caused by their long term use and if enough research has focused on that. Could they possibly cause cancers or disorders? In addition, what affects can they have on the plants or will the pests somehow become resistant? But I do agree that their benefits outweigh the negatives. Without them farmers would struggle to keep their crops alive from pests which is a benefit with extreme weather that we constantly experiencing.
ReplyDeleteThese types of GM produces scare me. I just can imagine the kinds of long term effects and illnesses people can develop by consuming these products. I say, the best way to go is grow your own food. You will feel good eating it and can come out to be a great hobby in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree GMs are effective, but it really depends on how they will affect people in the long run. If more research could show that GMs will only hurt the pests but not affect humans (or animals that we feed the crops to), then I would be 100% behind it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. At first I was thinking it wouldn't be a big deal and maybe GM food isn't bad at all. Maybe it is people's ignorance to what is actually happening; for instance, irradiated foods. Irradiated foods is simply a process that helps keeps the food from quick spoilage and other benefits. But to those who are not knowledgeable to the idea see the word radiate and think of radiation, thus leading to cancer and other outrageous things, in which it does not.
ReplyDeleteWhen taking a second look at what you were writing about, only after reading that there are some evidence that GM food can cause biological changes, I then question if the risk is worth the advantage. My opinion and thought changes to the idea of maybe GM food advantageous now, but who is to say it will stay that way in the later generations.
I think there is a reason to be hesitant in regards to GM food. The long term effects are unknown. One of the benefits about GM food is making food more pest resistant, making it less appealing to pests. What I wonder is, how will this affect the insects? I'm not saying "oh poor insects!" but rather will natural selection play its role? The insects that can no longer survive because their food supply is now "pest resistant" and the insects that do survive are the ones that are still able to eat the food despite the enhancement. At the end of the day now we have a bunch of insects that are still eating the plant life, and are now probably harder to kill because they have built up some sort of immunity to the gene that originally allowed for pest control.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative, though, isn't growing plants without pesticides, but spraying pesticides on the plants. Those pesticides end up in ground water and effect insects that weren't the targets of the pesticide in the first place.
DeleteI definitely agree with you Lindsay! I think we really have to be aware of issues like these and how they affect not only us but the environment around us.
ReplyDelete