OMG! GMOS
Genetically Modified Organisms
OMG! GMOS
Most of the foods that contribute to the everyday American diet are GMOs. The term “GMO” stands for Genetically Modified Organism, but it is deceptive. People have been genetically modifying foods with practices such as artificial selection since the beginning of agriculture. Today’s conversations about GMOs are about genetically engineered organisms, or transgenic organisms. People should take notice of genetically modified organisms because they deserve to know what they are eating, it isn’t good for the environment, and the entire food supply should not be in the hands of large companies. Now that GMOs dominate America’s food supply, consumers deserve to know the benefits, risks, and whether or not they are necessary in today’s food market.
SO WHY DO YOU CARE?
GMOs Today
Consumers need to start thinking about GMOs and the effects they have on our everyday lives
IN SUPPORT OF GMOS
There are two main arguments pertaining to GM crops: one in support and one against. Much of the support for GMOs comes from the scientific community, who want to use the many benefits of GMOs in order to solve problems, such as population growth and climate change. On the contrary, the opposition consists of concerned environmentalists and consumers that take a precautionary approach. First, let’s explore the benefits of genetic modification.
Population Growth
One of the largest problems that the human race has to face today is population growth. As the human population rises steadily, water, food, and livable space must be shared between more of us. Since this issue is accompanied by world hunger, it is important to produce sustainable crops in order to keep up with modern world issues. GMO production and research is important because science needs to scale with this insane boom of population growth. If not, resources will become much too scarce. Just last month, the world’s population hit 7.5 billion people as reported by the most recent United Nations estimates (Kemp). Genetically modified crops can produce exuberant amounts of food in order to accommodate the increased number of mouths to feed, since this increase will continue at a rapid rate.
Abundant and Fast
In addition to their abundance, these modifications can produce crops such as cotton and corn in a jiffy! These crops are popping! Theoretically, additional provisions at a lower cost are ideal for today’s food industries. The improved efficiency and quality will attend to the demands of our massive and diverse country. This really does highlight qualities that conduce to the success of our produce!
Reliable
Another positive aspect is that GMO crops are more reliable and make for a better harvest. There are high risks involved with taking chances in agriculture. GM crops create a guaranteed way for crops to increase yield. Scientists have created ways to get our crops to withstand harsh environments such as droughts and floods. One can imagine a future where plants can grow in both moist soil and dry soil at different elevations. This will be highly beneficial as it allows farmers to expand to traditionally less fertile locations to grow their crops. The goal is to create these to be resistant to climate change, since this issue has been looming over our heads for years.
IN OPPOSITION OF GMOS
We are what we eat.. Shouldn't we know what we eat?
In support and opposition, there is mutual understanding that there is no real scientific evidence that GMOs pose any health risks to humans. Although this is true, one might think about the risks posed by other contributing factors such as pesticides, the environment, corporate control, and the long term sustainability. The opposition, which consists of environmentalists and concerned consumers, discuss ethics and take a precautionary stance as more information is released over time.
Monsanto and Agribusiness
Monsanto is a large corporation that is controlling our food supply
A problem that needs to be addressed is that agriculture corporations, known as agribusinesses, like Monsanto are patenting their seeds. This allows the agribusinesses to profit from farmers that plant them. Although the spread of seeds from neighboring crops is inevitable, these large companies can sue farmers whose crops have been infected by the genetically modified seeds in a phenomenon known as drift. This is bad for the farmers that have promised to keep their crops completely organic, and for the companies, since their seeds are being used without permission. Issues like this will continue to arise and will only cause more problems over time.
Environmental Effects
Save the Bees
It is time to bee aware of the effects on insects. Crops depend on pollinators as it is a farmer’s only real chance to increase yield. Bees, birds, and bats are being negatively affected by earlier growing seasons, larger crops, and pesticides. Bees pollinate at a certain time, but with this new technology, bees will not be able to pollinate the crops just as crops flower (Jeff). The large fields of identical crops begin to take their toll on bees when these hard-workers get tired. They really are busy, busy bees. These meek swarms suffer additional torment from pesticides. Pesticides weaken a bee’s immune system and they become susceptible to pests. A new form of pesticide, called neonicotinoids, may contribute to a buzzare phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder, in which bees abandon their hives (Jeff). They are thought to do this because chemicals in the pesticides can make them forget their way home. It can be said that insects that are affected by pesticides hive seen better days.
North America's Push for GM Foods on the Market
Should we trust the government?
Many people that are against GMOs think this way because of the economic and cultural consequences. As it was stated earlier, the government makes an ungodly amount of money from the genetic engineering fields. Monsanto, for example, alludes to this fact because many government employees are also involved with Monsanto. Although European countries have bans on the production and sale of GMOs, the United States and Canadian governments approved them because of studies from the same corporations it would benefit financially (Anderson). This shows that consumers should question the government and search for the truth, especially in the absence of mandatory labeling.
People that do not support GMOs believe that they deserve to know what they are eating, it isn’t good for the environment, and the entire food supply should not be in the hands of large companies. Government agencies need to start disclosing information about GMOs on food labels, Monsanto needs to limit their pesticide use, and consumers need to start thinking more about the environment and the effects that GMOs and their products have on their everyday lives. No matter how green the genetically modified grass is, it is always greener, and more safe, on the bee side.
Perspective 1
In Support of GMOs
In affirmation of GM crops, the general consensus of the forward thinking standpoint is that it benefits the rising population, helps farmers and the government, and positively affects climate change.
Perspective 2
In Opposition of GMOs
In negation, the opposition believes that the government must label GMOs, take precautions and be aware of the environmental effects, and place the stability and prosperity of our food supply in the hands of the consumers rather than large companies.
Perspective 3
My Perspective
Based on the research I’ve done, my standpoint is mixed. The rising population needs an abundant food source, but excessive tests must take place in order to see if this is a sustainable option. Also, the use of Bt crops benefits farmers but weaken the immune systems of our crucial pollinators. However, I lean toward the opposing side of GMOs. Humans have not been genetically modifying crops like these for decades, or at least not like this. Unstable combinations of plant genes do not naturally occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods, as we are led to believe. This is unnatural and results in more scientific risks being taken. I stand with the precautionary standpoint, and I believe consumers should get the information they deserve, although I know I cannot slow science from developing further, nor do I want it to. GMOs are a tricky subject and only time will reveal the truth about them.
WORKS CITED
Anderson, Tim. "Counterpoint: GMO Foods Are Unsafe." Points of View: Genetically Modified Foods, Jan. 2017, p. 6. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=12441283&site=pov-live.
JEFF, BARNARD. "National Wildlife Refuges Phasing out GMO Crops, some Pesticides across US to Help Bees." Canadian Press, the, n.d. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=MYO425221855514&site=pov-live.
Kemp, Simon. “The world’s population just passed 7.5 billion: Here are some fascinating facts about all of us” The Next Web, Apr. 2017, World. https://thenextweb.com/world/2017/04/26/worlds-population-just-passed-7-5-billion-fascinating-facts-us/#.tnw_A5KaMLQZ