THE BASICS
Genetically Modified: What exactly are we talking about?
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Since the dawn of agriculture, humans have been genetically enhancing our plants and animals through the practice of selective breeding. Look around you: the sweet corn and seedless watermelons at the supermarket, the purebred dogs at the park, and your neighbor's prize rose garden are all examples of ways humans have genetically enhanced living things in order to produce desirable traits.
With today's advancements in technology, humans are now able to transfer genes between organisms. The definition of a genetically modified crop is a crop that contains genetic material that has been artifically altered in order to produce desired traits. In other words, genetically modified (GM) crops incorporate the best of both worlds by combining traditional agriculture with the latest technology. GM crops are also commonly known as genetically modfied organisms (GMO), genetically engineered crops, genetically engineered organisms, or genetically modified foods.
For example, you may have heard of the Bt tomato. The tomato plant's resistance against predator beetles relies on a gene from the bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis). This gene, called cry1Ac, encodes a protein that is poisonous to certain types of insects, including the beetle. By inserting this gene into the tomato plant's genome, scientists are now able to produce a tomato plant that is protected against those pesty beetles, without the need to spray vast amounts of insecticide or herbicide on the tomatoes themselves.
Who developed the first GM organism?
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The "art of gene splicing" dates from the 1970s. In 1972, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer developed techniques that made it possible to chemically cut and slice strands of DNA at specific locations in the sequence. Boyer used an enzyme to the cut the code for a specific protein and attach it to other DNA strands. Cohen added a new method to introduce these DNA sequences into bacteria and yeast cells, Together, the two scientists turned these microbes into hormone factories. In the year 1976, the Cohen and Boyer founded a new company called Genentech. They introduced human genes that produced insulin into strains of bacteria. As a result, the bacteria began to manufacture insulin. Next, the two scientists manufactured the human growth hormone. HGH was used to enable dwarf children to grow to normal size.
To learn more about the history of GM crops, click here.
To learn more about the process of producing GM organisms, click here.
Why do farmers use GM crops?
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Farmers worldwide choose seeds in order to suit market demands, local evironments, and their farm's needs. Many farmers select GM seeds to increase crop yields or to reduce crop damage from weeds, diesease, and insects, as well as to protect their crops from extreme weather conditions, such as drought. Another reason why farmers choose GM crops is to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment, by applying pesticides in more effective ways, for example. Farmers have also choosen genetic engineering to save crops, such as papaya from Hawaii, that was otherwise threatened by disease.
Who produces GM seeds?
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The primary producer of these crops is the biotechnology company Monsanto. Monsanto alone is responsible for 90% of the gentically modified seeds sold in the United States market.
To learn more about Monsanto and other GM crop innovators, click here.
What GM crops are currently on the market?
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GM crops are currently being grown, imported, and/or used in over 70 countries worldwide.
In the United States food market, eight GM crops are commercially available. These eight crops include: corn (field and sweet), soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, and squash.
Benefits vs. Risks of GM Crops
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Benefits:
Risks:
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Better food quality and taste: Genetic modification can be used to make peppers spicier, corn sweeter, and pears taste more like apples. Also, the freshness of fruit and vegetables can keep longer. Studies done on tomatoes have shown that most people prefer the taste of the genetically enhanced tomato over those that have not been enhanced.
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Fewer animal health problems: Genetic modification can result in animals that are resistant to diseases and can better withstand typical factory farm conditions.
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More efficient production of food: Genetic modification can help farmers skip steps in the process, such as spraying their crops with pesticides, because the foods are already resistant to pests. This saves farmers time and money, which could then be invested in other problems.
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More benefits in the foods themselves: Some foods like Golden Rice have been modified to contain additional vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A. These are used to help people in countries where an adequate supply of a variety of foods is not available.
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Vaccine possibilities: Studies are currently being done with bananas to produce newer and safer vaccines against viruses such as Hepatitis B.
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Less strain on the environment: As the use of herbicides and insecticides is reduced, a lower amount of chemicals are introduced to the environment. Additionally, farmers do not have to till the soil as often, protecting the soil.
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Environmental risks: Introducing plants and animals that do not naturally occur into the ecosystem may have negative effects on current species. Some possible impacts are cross breeding and cross pollination. Additionally, herbicide resistant plants could spread their qualities to weeds, which would make them harder to kill.
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Collateral damage: Making plants and animals that are resistant to bacteria can cause bacteria to become stronger and more difficult to kill. Creating plants with increased herbicide resistant can lead to weeds that are herbicide resistant as well.
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Allergies: Genetically modified foods have the ability to induce increased allergic reactions in people. Some people with specific sensitivities have already been reporting increased allergic reactions to GM organisms.
