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Transcript of GMOs
Or Downright Unpredictable? What are they? GMOs refers to Genetically Modified Organisms. These are plants (or animals) that are created through “gene splicing techniques of biotechnology”. Essentially, companies are inserting genes from another species into another. This is often done in hopes of creating crops that won't require pesticides, will need less water to grow etc.
Ex: Taking the "antifreeze" genes from the Arctic flounder and inserting them into a tomato to act as a preventative measure against frost damage. So what's the BIG deal? GMO proponents argue that GMO crops:
Are safe to eat
Increase crop yield
Benefit the environment
Help the small farmer
Reduce the amount of pesticides used
Will assist in the fight against hunger The Reality When scientists implement new genes into a food such as a tomato, there is NO way for the process to be guided. Consequently, the insertion can result in hundreds or thousands of mutations. Such mutations can result in crop toxicity, decreased nutritional value, or cause allergens, among other unpredictable side effects. Studies with animal test subjects have demonstrated the adverse effects of GM crops. Rats, who were fed GM tomatoes, experienced stomach lesions such as ulcers. Mice, on a diet of GM soy, showed disturbed liver, pancreas, and testes functions. Also, 19 studies, in which mammals were fed soy, found consistent toxic effects on the liver and kidney. However, the full extent of health effects are still unknown. Despite the potential hazards to public health, the FDA does nothing to regulate GMOs. Companies producing GM products are recommended to undergo a voluntary pre-market safety assessment. For those who choose to have their product reviewed, the FDA, at the end of the investigation, acknowledges that according to the company's own studies the product is safe, declares that the FDA has no further questions, and reminds the company that only safe products should be put on the market. Harsh, right? What about regulations? But do they really? Currently, companies do not have to label which products have been genetically modified, thus leaving the public ignorant to which foods are GMOs (in the European Union and several other countries GMOs must be labeled). An estimated 80% of products found in the average American supermarket contain GMOs.
Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011) Regulations (con.) Crop Yield GMO Safety GMO Safety (con.) Oftentimes, GM crops are hailed as increasing the annual crop yield. GM crops actually can decrease the overall yield. Several studies involving GM soybean and corn crops have found no growth in produce yield. Any increase in crop production in the past decades has been due to improvements in traditional breeding NOT GM crops. Beneficial to the Environment? Hardly. Genes from GMOs can be easily transferred to wild plants and native species (through cross-pollination) and result in "superweeds". Superweeds are weeds that are resistant to herbicides due to the genes transferred from the GMO. "Superbugs" could also develop as they too become resistant to the herbicides used. Furthermore, GMOs could possibly threaten the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Certain GM traits could create such enhancements to an organism that it becomes an invasive species, which then threatens the surrounding organisms. Environment (con.) Already, studies done in 2000, demonstrated the toxic effect of a certain Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria used in crops since it is toxic to a select few species of insects) corn variety on monar