Genetically modified (GM) food is on top of the government’s agenda; it’s an issue that affects everybody in the society. Many questions has been raised concerning GM crops, Do we need it? Is it safe to eat? How much do we really know about its environmental consequences? If something goes wrong, who will be held responsible? What effects will it will have on the society? Scientists and the government have tried to answer these questions but it still has not made the society at ease with GM. There has been much concern recently about GM foods, some of which are being tested and some of which are already used as ingredients in the food we eat. The advantages and the disadvantages of GM are the main issues that will be looked at in this paper.
The Advantages
GM crops have been enhanced to withstand extreme conditions. Every year thousands of crops are destroyed following attacks by insects, diseases, weeds or damage through weather conditions. These GM crops can withstand these extreme conditions. For example, a crop that has been modified to withstand draught can be cultivated in area with high draught. This will certainly increase the yield as many of the GM crops can survive these harsh conditions compared to organic ones. This in turn will provide more food for the growing population.
As GM crops can withstand such conditions, there will be little or no need for pesticides/insecticides. Hence the effect of having trace particles of insecticides in our food following crop spraying would be reduced. When the use of these pesticides is reduced our environment becomes friendlier. These pesticides when used find their way into the local water system; water companies spend a huge sum of money purifying water because of poison within the pesticides polluting them. When GM is used the damage to water system will be reduced as less pesticides is used.
Controlled maturation time is another advantage that can be gained from using GM crops. For example, researchers at Singapore’s National University are reported to have developed a system of modifying genes to delay fruit ripening by up to four months. This means that normally fruit that cannot be found in some period of the year can now be modified to ripen in those times. Health benefits can be gained from GM crops in the sense that necessary nutrients like vitamins can be engineered in and less fat can be introduced.
The Disadvantages
One of the dangers, however, of modifying plants to have natural resistance to weeds is the possibility of the creation of so-called super weeds. The problem would occur if genes from the modified crop find their way into the soil or a new breed of weed is created with genes transferred from the modified crop
"The first case is a genetically modified plant with herbicide resistance naturally breeding with a wild weed, giving rise to a new strain of weed that was not affected by herbicide; such a weed could again colonise the countryside. The colonisation mentioned would destroy areas of natural beauty, replacing the natural foliage with weed." Kingman, S M. (1997) "An introduction to gene analysis and exploitation."
The possible effect and worse case scenario of this involves the weeds taking over all of a farmer's available land leaving it completely unusable for agriculture. The previous benefits gained from not having to pay for herbicides would be lost together with his livelihood. This problem could escalate from a local to global problem leading to a possible worldwide famine
Another issue worth mentioning is the possible ethical problems facing certain religions. Would it be classed improper to eat a fruit or vegetable that had been modified with an animal gene if vegetarianism was a rule of your religion? Even if not vegetarian, Jews and Muslims would oppose the introduction of pig genes in plants and Hindus would most certainly also oppose any gene enhancements involving cow genes. Some Christians too share strong views over the genetic modification of organisms. In principle they see this as an excessive and unacceptable manipulation of, and intervention in God's creation and a total violation of natures natural barriers.
Conclusion
GM foods are not necessarily bad, but permitting the expansion of GM crop planting and use in our food without proper knowledge as to the effects, both short and long term, is at best unwise and at worst highly dangerous. It's not just we humans who could suffer, but ultimately many animal and plant species as well. Can biotech companies really be sure that their products will have no undue effects on biodiversity and food chains, and indeed on people's health? Until they are, the mass introduction of GM crops should not be permitted. We must proceed down the route of genetic modification with extreme caution, without denying that in some cases there could be great benefits to be had.
Bibliography
Genetically modified food. Independence publishers
News scientist magazine
