Research Topic - Should we be eating GM food?

by lobachevsky (student)

Simeon T. Baker

Should we be eating genetically modified food?

There has been much controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops over the past two decades. In 1994 the tomato was genetically modified for human consumption, the modification allowed the tomato to delay ripening after being picked, giving the tomatoes an overall longer shelf life and preventing them from being damaged in transit. In 1995 the BT (Basillus Thuringiensis) potato was regarded as safe by the EPA and became the first genetically modified pesticide producing crop to be approved in the USA [2]. In 1998 aggressive protests by green peace disrupted 3 out of 7 GM ‘Farm-scale’ trials in the UK “on behalf of the British public” [4], to this day GM crops are not grown for human consumption in the UK.

A tomato being injected with bacterium carrying a desired genetic trait [6]

How are crops genetically modified?

GM crops are harvests of fruit and vegetables that have been genetically modified to some effect; the most common modification is having plants produce a natural pesticide, however in the year 2000 scientists discovered it is also possible to increase the nutritional value of crops too. The process of genetic modification is not too dissimilar to gene therapy: first, the desired gene must be isolated. This can be done by using restrictive endonuclease, an enzyme that ‘cuts’ DNA at specific points or if the DNA sequence is known, the gene can be artificially synthesised using free nucleotides without the use of a DNA template however this can often lead to defects, especially in longer chains.

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The desired gene is then put through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which copies and multiplies the gene by replicating and transcribing (polymerising) the gene repeatedly, making it easier to work with [2]. The foreign DNA is then placed in a vector, such as a virus or bacterium and injected into a plant; the gene should then integrate with the plant’s chromosome and the trait should be displayed in both the plant and its offspring.

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Protein structure of Taq Polymerase [16]

The benefits of GM crops

A Study prepared by the European Commission concluded:

"Biotechnologies could provide us with useful tools in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, food production and industry. Crop production will have to cope with rapidly increasing demand while ensuring environmental sustainability. Preservation of natural resources and the need to support the livelihoods of farmers and rural populations around the world are major concerns. In order to achieve the best solutions, we must consider all the alternatives for addressing these challenges using independent and scientifically sound methods. These alternatives include genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their potential use."[14]

Calestous Juma, ‘Professor of the Practice of International Development; Director, Science, Technology, and Globalization Project; Principal Investigator, Agricultural Innovation in Africa’[13] of Harvard university is a very strong believer in GM crops, in fact he comments on this specific study in one of his many papers on agricultural biotechnology confirming that ‘the study drew its conclusions from the work of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research involving more than 500 independent research groups’ [13]

Professor Juma also highlights some remarkable benefits of GMO’s in the same article:

“The promise of the technology and evidence of its contributions to rural development around the world is serving as a source of inspiration for emerging nations to complement existing practices with agricultural biotechnology. Three African countries (South Africa, Egypt and Burkina Faso) have adopted genetically modified crops and are providing initial evidence of their long‐term implications. The scientific and technical community is being embolden by these developments and is working with governments to explore ways to build up the much needed capacity in these fields. Other ...

Research Topic - Should we be eating GM food?

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