Table of Contents
Abstract
Farmers and agriculturalist continue to feed the ever-growing 7.6 billion-world population through technological and scientific advances. Genetically modified organisms are part of the research that discusses feeding the estimated 2050 population of 10 billion. Through different technologies, scientists have been able to create crops that are resistant to pests, natural phenomenon’s, and more. Genetically modified organisms date back to about 7,000 BCE where different animals were genetically changed through natural selection; a survival of the fittest circumstance. Consumers are concerned with the advantages and disadvantages of GM products and foods; however, becoming educated on the subject is simples.
There are projects out there, such as the Non-GMO Project, which work to educate consumers. There is a lot of confusion and uncertainty when it comes to genetically modified organisms. However, there are organization out there that work specifically to educate the consumer and the public. Genetically engineered crops and organisms are just getting started in agriculture. As they continue to make changes to the way things are done in agriculture, and the efficiency of agriculture, more and more people are beginning to understand the ever-growing need for genetically engineered crops. The labeling of genetically engineered/modified crops has been a tremendous issue for many consumers. Just like the Certified Organic products, GMOs will soon be required to be labeled on products across the nation.
Introduction
There are three main necessities that humans need to survive; food, water, and shelter. If you take even one of these necessities away, the population would begin to decrease. With the help of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) humans are able to produce more food, breed animals with the best DNA for best production and genetics, create crops that are resistant to flood or drought, and take care of human needs better than ever. Genetically modified organisms are living things that have had their genetics changed in some way (What are GMOs). Through genetically engineering, modification, and bioengineering, there have been major breakthroughs for the food and agricultural industry. The global population is estimated to increase to approximately 10 billion by the year 2050. Through genetically modified organisms, it is becoming increasingly possible to feed the future population.
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History
The history of GMOs begins about 80 years ago in 1935 when a Russian scientist named Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky (Woosley) discovered the first DNA. As the first human made DNA was created, also known as rDNA, the research continued until 1980 when the first GMO patent was issued for a “bacterium with an appetite for crude oil, ready to gobble up spills” (Woosley). Moving forward to 1982, the Food and Drug Administration approves humulin to be released on the market (Woosley). Humulin is insulin “produced by genetically engineered E.Coli bacteria” (Woosley).
In 1994, the Flavr Savr tomato became the first genetically modified food to become available for purchase in grocery stores with the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Woosley). The Flavr Savr tomato was created with GMOs to delay ripening in order for it to have a longer shelf life in the grocery store and remain fresh longer (Woosley). The European Union (EU), in 1997, ruled in favor of the labeling of all genetically modified organism food product, including animal feed (Woosley). By 1999, over one million acres are planted with genetically engineered seed worldwide, causing a rapid increase in the embrace of GMO technology in the marketplace (Woosley). From 2003 to 2014, a few problems arose within the GMO process consisting of the Helicoverpa zea feeding on GMO bases Bt cotton crops in which it has adapted to in less than a decade. Bt-toxin being found in pregnant women and found to be passed to the fetuses, and farmer Paul Francois who sues Monsanto for “chemical poisoning” that was caused by the pesticide Lasso (Woosley).
Advantages
Genetically modified organisms can be modified to include different vitamins and minerals, making food products healthier than they were before (Lombardo). By modifying food, people are able to get the products they need with “fewer foods and lower costs” (Lombardo). Growing GMOs allow agriculturalists to use less land while growing more food and conserving energy, soil, and water resources. GM crops are genetically engineered “to produce higher yields” without increasing the size of the cropland. This increases the possibilities of feeding the expected population for 2050. GM crops are being modified in order to survive drought, flood, weeds, pests etc. therefore using fewer resources (Lombardo). Because GM crops are able to survive many different elements, they need fewer herbicides and pesticides. With crops being more resistant to nature, they are able to produce a higher yield once again (Lombardo).
There is research being done to possibly eliminate food allergies and intolerance issues in the future. The research is focused on “removing the allergen trigger that are present in common foods, like peanuts” (Lombardo). The research is also working to eliminate “intolerance issues that are caused by gluten-containing foods” in order to make food safe for everyone in the future (Lombardo). With less herbicides and pesticides being used, and having fewer passes over a field, there is less fossil fuel combustion and less carbon dioxide released from the soil (Lombardo).
Disadvantages
Although there are numerous benefits to genetically modified organisms, like all things, there are also negatives. While some of these are not necessarily ‘negatives’, they are rather informing the public about GMOs. Unlike ‘Certified Organic’, the Food and Drug Administration does not require the labeling of genetically modified foods (Lombardo). Some people do not want to consume genetically modified crops, however, most of the ‘core foods’ have at least some genetic modification. More than 90% of commercially grown cotton, corn, and soybeans have at least some genetic modification (Lombardo). Therefore, any product that stems from these core foods, have some genetic modification in them. With fields containing genetically modified crops, there is a risk of cross-contamination between fields. Fields can become cross-contaminated through pollination and through weather factors, such as wind (Lombardo).
While some crops use less herbicides and pesticides due to genetic engineering, others use more than they would normally. This is due to more than 80% of genetically modified crops being resistant and tolerant to herbicides, therefore, farmers increase the amount they use (Lombardo). Since GMOs were first introduced, agriculturalists have increased their herbicide usage by more than 1500% (Lombardo). With GMOs being resistant to herbicides and pesticides also comes the issue of super bugs and weeds. Both bugs and weeds adapt to the resistance of the genetically modified crops and grow stronger themselves (Lombardo).
Challenges
Cost
Developing GM foods and products does come with a price. With time and money combine, farmers must find ways to make producing genetically modified products profitable in order for them to make a living off them. This is where patents on GM food products comes in. In order to protect the rights of companies, patents were put in place (Murnaghan). However, having patents creates a barrier between wealthy and poor in that consumers are worried that “placing a patent on a new kind of GM plant” will increase the price of seed “to such an extent that the small-scale farm operations and farmers in developing countries will not be able to afford these GM varieties of crops” (Murnaghan). On the consumer side of genetically modified products, consumers will see a great deal of price variations involving GM products such as the price being higher or lower than usual (Murnaghan). Although many appreciate the idea of GMO foods and products, some have decided to go organic, which will cost them more money in the end, due to the recent rapid growth of organic industries (Murnaghan).
Economic
While GM foods and products are still being developed, it is “difficult to determine” the entirety of the economic impact of GMOs due to the lack of “consistency from one GM crop or market to another” (Murnaghan). It has become increasingly important for focus “to be placed on resolving the issues relating to the economical impact” of GMO foods and products, which will later help countries grow GM crops more successfully and “allow for economic prosperity” (Murnaghan). With GMOs being so cost effective, it doesn’t matter whether you support them or are against them; GMOs create products that are cost effective, but also are money savers and contribute to a profit (Bizeau). With the decreased use of pesticides due to insect resistant crops and the decreased percentage of crops lost, farmers are making an even greater profit using GM products as they were without them (Bizeau). Another impact of GM products is that the amount of hectares that are using genetically modified crops has increased dramatically since 1996 (Bizeau). A record of 28 countries planted a total of 170.3 million hectares of genetically modified crops in 2012, which was a “sustainable” 6 percent increase from 2011 (Bizeau). With genetically modified foods and products, there has been an average of 100 dollars income increase per hectare (Bizeau).
Diversity
As with most technological advances, there are a few challenges that arise when dealing with genetically modified organism foods and products. After all, a genetically modified organism is a laboratory process created when man extracts DNA from one species and artificially puts it into an unrelated species (Smith). The DNA that scientist extract can come from animals, insects, bacteria, viruses, and even humans (Smith). Although GMOs contribute to faster crop production, more nutrients within foods, and pest resistant crops, it is a major concern that using GMO foods and products will greatly reduce the genetic diversity of plants and animals within the environment (Landry).
With GMO foods and products, humans are taking the DNA proteins from other organisms and re-placing them within different organisms, making the two similar (Landry). With this concern, many researchers worry that the entire world will end up in a sort of ‘potato famine’ like Ireland did in the 1800s (Landry). If the world is using GMOs to produce most of its food, the genetic diversity decreases significantly, which would become a major problem if a virus or disease attacked a crop. Just like the potato famine of Ireland, if a disease were to hit a cornfield that was GM made, it would wipe out the entire corn crop due to the lack of diversity (Landry).
Natural
Another concern with GMOs is the hybridization of GMO and non-GMO species. Researchers are concerned that if GMO and non-GMO species cross-pollinate, they could create a “fitness advance in the hybrid species”, meaning that it would be better able to reproduce (Landry). Ultimately, the fitness advance would be maintained within the population and create a decrease of genetic diversity of the wild species (Landry). Another challenge that is faced when dealing with genetically modified products is the fact that most people do not take time to research it, and end up having an opinion about GMOs that does not have any factual evidence to back it up. For example, according to the Penn State Ag Science Magazine, if someone were to ask a scientist if GMO foods and products were bad for your health, they would say ‘probably not’ due to the fact that there haven’t been any reports so far (LaJaunesse).
It has also been shown that animal’s health and growth has improved since they had been introduced to food that contain GMO material (LaJaunesse). Many of the reasons that so many are against GMOs is because of false claims that cycle around the internet and social media sites (LaJaunesse). Some are even worried that the genes that have been injected into the new species will ‘jump’ out of the species and into another; however, “horizontal gene transfer” does actually occur (LaJaunesse).
Environmental
There are also many environmental challenges that are faced by farmers when it comes to GMOs. One problem is the drift of herbicides to other farmer’s fields, killing crops (LaJaunesse). A solution to this problem is for those farmers to buy the herbicide, however, not every farmer would like to spend the money, and not every farmer is supportive of GMOs (LaJaunesse). Another problem is that weeds are often genetically diverse therefore; they do not react to herbicides normally, and become resistant to them due to the weeds genetic makeup (Lajaunesse).
Policy
State
Like all things, there are laws put in place to protect the public regarding genetically modified organisms. As of 2016, there were 95 bills proposed in 25 states across the nation; 70 relating to GMO labeling (Genetically). Currently, there is no legislation in New York State regarding GM labeling, however, there will be come 2020 (A New View in U.S. Agriculture, 25) (Harmon). There are also about 14 pending GMO bills for New York State. In 2014, Chobani announced they would only be receiving milk from cows that are fed GMO-free feed in order to produce their yogurt (Pucci). Companies are creating their own regulations against GMOs, which then limits producers from doing further business with such companies. While New York does not have any state regulations yet, other states such as California have created many regulations.
Federal
When it comes to federal legislation, the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are in place in order to protect the public from anything that could possibly harm them. The FDA added the 1958 Food Additive Amendment to the Federal Food and Drug Act, which “regulates food additives through premarket reviews, with exception of those substances that are genetically recognized as safe (GRAS) (A New View on U.S. Agriculture). The APHIS oversees field trials with notifications systems, which only require permits for a few (A New View on U.S. Agriculture). The EPA is in charge of registration of GE pest-resistant crops, as well as holding the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947 (A New View on U.S. Agriculture). In 2016, President Barack Obama signed Public Law 114-216 into law; the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (Pucci). The law discusses the definitions, applicability, labeling and establishment of “‘bioengineering’, and any similar term[s]” (Public Law).
Labeling
Eventually, there is likely to be required GMO labeling, just like there is for Certified Organic foods. As research continues, more questions will arise, and the public will need to be educated. Regarding labeling, the USDA has “not yet determined the threshold for the amount of bioengineered ingredients a product can contain in order to be classified as a GMO food” (Pucci). In addition, under the USDA, food that is Certified Organic cannot contain GMOs (Pucci). It is not a matter of if GMO labeling will be required; it is a matter of when. When they are officially required to be label, “companies will have to re-examine how their products are made – down to each ingredient” (PacMoore). The company PacMoore states that they have a history of meeting strict regulations, therefore they are up for whatever GMOs can throw at them (PacMoore).
GMOs have been around for hundreds of years, in different forms. Therefore, people are wondering why the changes and push for GMO labeling is suddenly happening now. An article from NY Times suggests that “food manufacturers have fought long and expensive battles against G.M.O. labels, worried that they would deter customers – and give an advantage to organic food makers” (Harmon). The states of California, Connecticut, Maine, Oregon and Washington have all had legislators and consumer groups step up efforts in order to have labeling laws passed, along with bills and ballots (Harmon). There are some manufacturers who have agreed to voluntarily place labels on GM foods nationwide, while others, push for a nationwide standard that would impose labeling (Harmon). Furthermore, instead of saying “genetically engineered”, GM products will be pushed to say, “bioengineered” (Harmon). According to NY Times, “food makers would be given a choice of three disclosure methods: spelling out the information, as in ‘contains a bioengineered food ingredient’; using a standard icon; or affixing a QR code that directs consumers to a website with more information” (Harmon). Each method has its own benefits, however, customers will be happy to have GMO labeling, just like Certified Organic labeling.
There are, however, project such as the Non-GMO Project. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization that is “committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices” (MOST TRUSTED SEAL). The mission of this organization is to educate consumers and provide verified non-GMO choices (MOST TRUSTED SEAL). Organization like this have created their own labeling system for products. The Non-GMO Project provides 50,135 non-GMO verified products, partnered with 14,210 retailers (MOST TRUSTED SEAL). There will likely be other projects, much like the Non-GMO Project, that arise in the future.
Conclusion
With the ever-growing population, the need for agricultural technologies is constantly increasing, therefore, causing a greater need for GMOs. This newfound need for GMOs is increasing in California, especially. Due to the drought, crops are unable to grow properly therefore causing there to be little crop available (Wilcox). According to Wilcox, “California’s drought is just the beginning; scientists predict severe and widespread droughts globally in the next 30 to 90 years” (Wilcox). With this being said, drought resistant crops have been, and will continue, becoming increasingly important to the agricultural industry in hopes that the drought resistant crops will help areas of drought flourish (Wilcox). In addition, scientist in Germany are currently working on an anti pest crop that is keeps the Colorado potato beetle away (Wilcox). With these new technologies, the agricultural industry will benefit greatly from the decreased loss of crops, which will also increase the agricultural industry’s profit.
While there still, and probably always will be, great controversy revolving around the topic of genetically modified organisms, foods, and products. They are an important part of the agriculture and food industry in that they are part of the reason why food efficiency and productivity has increased over the last 20 years. There are still many problems that need to be worked out when involving GMOs but many people also need to become more knowledgeable about GMO’s and the positive and negative impacts of them. Youth leadership organizations such as the National FFA Organization and 4-H contain thousands of young members who strive to inform people about the importance of GMOs and why they are needed in order to feed the world.
