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Genetically Engineered Foods.
Term Paper ID:31924
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Essay Subject:
An examination and explanation of genetically engineered crops and food that focuses on the ...... More...
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Paper Abstract:
An examination and explanation of genetically engineered crops and food that focuses on the potential negative impact of such biotechnology on the ecosystem and/or human health.
Paper Introduction:
Genetically Modified Foods Introduction While the twentieth century may be known as the century of chemistryand physics the twenty-first century may well be known as the century ofbiotechnology Current technologies enable scientists to creategenetically engineered organisms by using the basic building blocks ofliving matter genes This ability offers the world a number of advances from curing diseases to human cloning One of the biggest advances according to some is already here genetically engineered crops andfoods Genetically engineered crops are new kinds of
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Anotherdanger of genetically engineered crops is that they are able to reproduce.With little being known about the potential dangers to the environment fromsuch crops, it is dangerous to understand that once they are unleashed intothe environment they are virtually impossible to trace or retrieve themwithin one geographic location. an estimated $12 billion in farm subsidies,lost sales and product recalls due to transgenic contamination" (1). Innovation and trade with endogenous market failure: The case of modified products. Scientists differ on whether that is a badthing" (457). M., and Schiller, N. While some states have such labeling laws, themajority do not. Likewise, consumer advocacy groups have lobbied the governmentand the Food and Drug Administration for tighter controls over geneticallyengineered crops. (Jul 28, 2 4). According to thePew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology (2 4), "This protein, referred toas Bt, is produced by the plant, thereby making it resistant to insectpests like the European Corn Borer or Cotton Boil Worm" (Genetically 1).Other crops are introduced with weed-resistant genes, making them known asone of a variety of "Roundup Ready" crops. Despite the many benefits touted by proponents of geneticallyengineered foods and crops, the public remains suspect of such foods. (2 4) report maintains that scientists disagree on theimpact on the environment and there is no consensus on the actual impact ofgenetically engineered species, "Genes from genetically modified crops canbe transferred to wild species. and Moschini, G. (2 3). Frankenfoods? We have already allowed the commercial availabilityof many of these kinds of foods and crops enter the marketplace and theenvironment. The instability of transgenic lines is also problematic for farmers. Viewed on Sep 1, 2 4: http://www. government fell behind on legislation regulating theInternet and still struggles to cope with a new horse of technology thatappears destined to lead the cart. Opponents argue that the FDA has neglected toimplement a rigorous safety test for genetically engineered foods. As Mercola (2 3) maintains, about the nature andability of cross-contamination, "Extensive transgenic contamination hasoccurred in maize landscapes growing in remote regions in Mexico despite anofficial moratorium that has been in place since 1998. Such engineering also promises the potential for unknownhavoc on the ecosystem. In a test of 33 certifiedseed stocks, 32 were found contaminated" (1). Countries like Japan and the EU havebanned imports of genetically engineered crops or foods made from them, butwithin the past year the six-year moratorium on such products in the EUexpired. High levels ofcontamination have since been found in Canada. To increase sterol production, Chinesehamster genes have been introduced into the genome of tobacco plants.Rifkin (1998) warned of the dangers of such genetic modification a halfdecade ago: "Ecologists are unsure of the impacts of bypassing naturalspecies boundaries by introducing genes into crops from wholly unrelatedplant and animal species. O. While science often promises progress and beneficialadvances, others contend that biotechnology of this sort opens an entirelyunknown world fraught with potential disaster. Such dangers include a detrimental impacton human health and the environment. While many argue that genetically engineered foods are beneficial ina number of ways, others argue that there are potentially numerous dangersthat may result from their use. However, the panel noted, techniques otherthan gene-splicing, such as mutagenesis from radiation or chemicals, have ahigher risk of creating genetic surprises. Since these new breeds of species are able tocontaminate other naturally occurring species, it is not unlikely thatmutations could occur that would wipe out many species of fruits andvegetables, thereby wiping out animal populations or species that depend onthem. (Jun 7, 2 4). Monsanto produces the pesticideRoundup. (Aug 8, 2 3). Firefly genes have been introduced into thebiological code of corn plants. The government in the U.S. The fact is, there is no precedent in historyfor this kind of shotgun experimentation" (37). Viewed on Sep 1, 2 4: http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/ 111sp.htm, 1-3.Lapan, H. Nevertheless, "Therigorous testing to which new products are normally subjected in the U.S.has not been applied to genetically engineered foods" (Biotechnology 2 ,2). Like Dr. Frankenstein who was able to createlife but created a monster, so many argue that genetically engineered foodsmay have an extremely negative impact on human health and/or the ecosystem. Africa News, 1-4.Genetically modified crops in the United States. Another danger from such crops and foodsis that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently have amandatory approval process in place before commercialization. It is much more difficult to assess allof the potential impacts that a genetically engineered organism might haveon the Earth's ecosystem" (38). The traits that are typically desired in these crops are herbicideresistance and insect resistance. Examples of these might be allergic reactions,possibly even fatal ones, in people due to artificially introduced genes infood. For example, theantifreeze gene from fish has been introduced into tomatoes to help makethem frost-resistant. E Magazine, 9, 36-41.Stokstad, E. The resistance to genetically engineered foods continuesto grow worldwide, with the rejection of such foods in Africa as thepinnacle of such resistance. Byintroducing "unnatural" organisms into nature where they can cross-contaminate other species, scientists are risking a whole new breed ofsuper-organisms that are resistant pesticides or herbicides. (Aug 2 4). Large agriculture and chemical corporations must beprevented from continuing their assault on the environment with these neworganisms until a fuller understanding of their effects is known. One suchrisk is related to cancer. Otheropponents argue that the lack of such a test is due to the fact that suchagencies fail to see the new breeds of crops and foods as something new.However, this poses a danger from failing to recognize that such productsare "new" foods and must be subjected to rigorous testing before they aredeemed safe for the environment and human consumption. Nibble with caution. Viewed on Sep 1, 2 4: http://www.science cases.org/gmfoods/gmfoods.asp, 1-5.Rifkin, J. Scientists have introduced chicken genes into potatoes to make themmore disease resistant. The four biggest planted crops that are geneticallyengineered are: soybeans, cotton, corn, and canola (Lapan and Moschini2 4, 635). food agency still supports modified crops. The FDAmust not take a lenient view on these products and instead needs to imposestringent testing conditions and consumer labels on all products that havebeen genetically modified or engineered. Inthe mean time, no one is certain what the impact of such contamination maymean for human health and/or the ecosystem in future. As Mercola (2 3) notes, "Transgenic DNA isknown to survive digestion in the gut and jump into the genome of mammaliancells, raising the possibility for triggering cancer" (4). (Nov 2 1). This analysis will look atdifferent kinds of foods ands crops that are being genetically engineered,in order to provide an assessment of the real and potential dangers suchbiotechnological experimentation poses for the ecosystem and human health. One of the biggest advances,according to some, is already here - genetically engineered crops andfoods. A U.N. Viewed on Sep 1, 2 4: http://pewagbiotech.org/resources/factsheets/display. 2 4, 457). Like Frankenstein could not control his monster, soscientists are unable to control the course and impact of geneticallyengineered crops and foods once they are introduced into nature and toconsumers respectively. Should such a strategy and course ofinept action be applied to genetically altered organisms, it may be a horseas detrimental to the American people and environment as the Trojan horsewas to a culture that once was and is no more.ReferencesBiotechnology: New danger of solution to Africa's food deficit? However, one systematic studyon genetically modified foods have found "growth factor-like effects in thestomach and small intestine of young rats that were attributable to thetransgenic process and may be general to all genetically engineered food"(Mercola 2 3, 2). Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. No one canpredict the potential dangerous genetic mutations that might occur fromthis form of biotechnology. Hunger is not a problem that needs technical solutions. Sierra, 89(4), 12-13.Fresco, L. Citing unknown health and environment impact from geneticallyengineered foods, Greenpeace maintains that biotechnology is not thesolution for helping feed the world's poor, "We know there is ample food onthe planet. (Aug 2 4). Bacteria in the soil and in the human gut have beenstudied that have taken up transgenic DNA from genetically altered foodsand crops. Scientists have also used specific genes from soilbacteria which is toxic to a number of different pests. Genetically modified crops. The U.S. Genetically engineered foods have been quietly findingspace on supermarket shelves with no form of labeling to designate them assuch that is mandatory. Science Now, 3-4. The green gene revolution. The U.S. But such efforts pale in comparison tothose that genetically engineered crops and foods require for safety to beassured. (May 15, 1998). Such developments pose the likelihood that by consuminggenetically altered DNA, bacteria will develop even greater resistance toantibiotics in human beings. It is unrealistic toact as if introducing such organisms into the environment and/or humandigestive system will have no impact other than intended in light of theinability to control such organisms once introduced. As Mercola (2 3) reports, "Antibioticresistance marker genes can spread from transgenic good to pathogenicbacteria, making infections very difficult to treat" (3). The "Roundup Ready" variety of crop isartificially engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, an effectiveherbicide that is produced and released after germination of the seeds.Foods that have been genetically engineered offer alleged benefits ofeverything from reduced allergens to improved nutrition. Other proponentsof genetically engineered crops contend that the higher yields will helpfeed the world's hungry while the reduction in conventional pesticides willimprove the health of farm workers. needs to prohibit the release ofany more genetically altered foods or crops into the marketplace until inall good conscience it has more evidence about the potential negativeeffects of them. Sowing revolution. E. It issignificant to recall that gypsy moths, Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight,and Mediterranean fruit flies were all environmental disasters broughtabout by the introduction of exotic organism into the North Americanenvironment. php3?FactsheetID=2, 1-11.U.N. continues to lead worldwideproduction in genetically engineered crops. Others argue that such crops are focused on the commercialcrops like maize, soybean, canola, and cotton, while the basic crops forthe poor like potatoes, rice, and wheat have generated little interest fromscientists. (1 5.7 million acres), Argentina (34.4 million acres),Canada (1 .9 millions acres), and Brazil (8.4 million acres) are the fourleading nations among genetically engineered planters (Genetically 2 4,2). 2 4, 457). This also points to a potential problemwith traceability of food labels on genetically engineered foods. There are few credible studies on the impact of geneticallyengineered foods on humans who consume them. Genetically engineered foods have a variety of potential dangers.For humans, there are a number of potential dangers that might emerge thatare as yet unknown. There are currently 672million acres of cultivatable land in the world, with approximately 25% or167.2 million acres consisting of genetically engineered crops (Genetically2 4, 2). The U.S agricultural industry, government, and FDA continue to arguethat there is no difference between genetically engineered foods andconventional foodstuffs. While manyplaces have adopted a mandatory labeling system, the FDA has no mandatoryapproval process in place, despite the genetically engineered foodsrepresenting a form of "new" food. One organization is at leastworking to keep access to new technologies for developing countries andpoor producers and consumers, the International Undertaking on PlantGenetic Resources (Fresco 2 1). Many argue that genetically altered foods represent a major threatto the livelihood of small farmers as companies like Monsanto, Ciba Geigy,major commercial farms and others are the primary beneficiaries of suchfoods. mercola.com/2 3/jul/2/gm_crops.htm, 1-9.Rhodes, B., Alkhazindar, M. As long ago as 1992, the FDA declared there wasno difference between genetically engineered foods and conventionallyproduced ones. 495 4 Genetically Modified Foods Introduction While the twentieth century may be known as the century of chemistryand physics, the twenty-first century may well be known as the century ofbiotechnology. Genetically engineered crops have mainly been engineered in order tointroduce them with some new trait that will produce greater yields and/orlower costs. (Jul/Aug 2 4). Genetically engineered crops are new kinds of crops.Biotechnologists use certain genes from one organism and introduce theminto another organism to produce a desirable trait. Rifkin's (1998) reservations over genetically engineered organismsis similar to a majority of scientists and opponents of such foods andcrops, in that the actual impact of such foods remains a potentiallydangerous unknown: "Genetically engineered organisms are inherently moreunpredictable than petrochemicals in the way they interact with otherliving things in the environment. A panel created by the National Academy of Sciences has yet todiscover any harm to humans from genetically modified crops, however thepanel still offered the following warning: "Transferring genes does raisethe risk of surprise effects. Whilesuch a label may be a bit of an exaggeration at this point, the unknownnature of the impact of such foods may one day consider the statementprescient. According to Mercola (2 3), the high rate of transgenic contamination hasundermined the promises of genetically engineered food, "Geneticallymodified (GM) crops have failed to deliver the promised benefits ofsignificantly increasing yields or reducing herbicide and pesticide use.GM crops have cost the U.S. When the U.N. Inaddition, scientists are in conflict over whether genetically engineeredfoods offer benefits or potential disaster for human health and/or theecosystem. Conclusion In conclusion, it appears that despite dire warnings about thepotential deleterious effects of genetically altered foods and crops onhuman health and the environment, the debate is one of the horse being letgo ahead of the cart. In one article entitled Frankenfoods?, the authors present a futuristicscenario in which private companies or government agencies gain control ofnewly engineered crops that are basic staples for millions the world over.As Rhodes, Alkhazindar, and Schiller (2 3) relate, "Multinationalcorporations plunder genes from third world countries, which theyimmediately plant and then hold hostage, making the indigenous farmers ofthese countries by back the rights to grow their own seeds...How can acompany own the most important food crop in the world?" (2). This ability offers the world a number of advances,from curing diseases to human cloning. Health & Medicine Week, 457-459.Editors. In other words, scientists from many parts of the world are unsureof the potential dangers of genetically engineered foods and strongly urgecaution in all respects of its creation and consumption. The biotech century: Playing ecological roulette with Mother Nature's designs. Many argue that the increase in herbicide-resistant crops will havea negative impact on sod fertility, water quality, and depletion of thenumber of beneficial insects due to increased use of herbicides. (Apr 11, 2 ). (2 4). donated corn created by genetic engineering, despitemillions of people in Zambia and Zimbabwe suffering from famine, governmentofficials rejected the good, calling it "poison" (Editors 2 4, 8). Why genetically modified crops can devastate health. Another example might be a high level of toxic buildup that leads todisease or even death from the introduction of herbicide- and pesticide-resistant genes. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 86(3), 634-648.Mercola, J. Current technologies enable scientists to creategenetically engineered organisms by using the basic building blocks ofliving matter, genes. Itneeds political will and appropriate policies" (U.N. One report by the United Nations(U.N.) shows "demonstrable health benefits" for farm workers in China dueto a reduction in conventional pesticide use (U.N. The Scientific American, 291(2), 8.Darlington, D. Body Despite a good deal of controversy and concern over the safety ofgenetically engineered foods, the U.S. There are alsoindirect threats to human health from ingesting animal products fromlivestock that has been fed on genetically engineered food crops. Even crops whose genes aremodified and shuffled by conventional breeding can turn out to have harmfuleffects" (Stokstad 2 4, 3).
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