August 17, 2016 - Notes On GMO (For Debate)
August 17, 2016 - Notes On GMO (For Debate)
August 17, 2016 - Notes On GMO (For Debate)
(GMOs) you're not alone. This relatively new technology is riddled with bioethics
questions, and the arguments for and against GMOs are difficult to weigh
because it's hard to know the risks until something goes wrong.
What is a Genetically Modified Organism or GMO?
The legal definition of a genetically modified organism in the European Union is
"an organism, with the exception of human beings, in which the genetic material
has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural
recombination." It is illegal in the EU to deliberately release a GMO into the
environment, and food items containing more than 1% GMOs must be labeled.
This alteration of the genes usually entails inserting genetic material into an
organism in a laboratory without natural mating, breeding or reproduction.
Instead of breeding two plants or animals together to bring out certain traits in
the offspring, the plant, animal or microbe has DNA from another organism
inserted.
Creating GMOs is one type of genetic engineering.
A transgenic organism is a GMO that contains DNA from another species. A
cisgenic organism is a GMO that contains DNA from a member of the same
species, and is generally regarded as the less risky type of GMO.
GMOs have been used in various ways, including creating mice with certain traits
for the purposes of vivisection, but the GMO debate is centered on food products
for direct human consumption and on feed for livestock.
Am I Eating GMOs?
If you live in United States, you are most likely eating GMOs and/or livestock who
were fed GMOs. Eighty-eight percent of the corn grown in the U.S. has been
genetically modified to be herbicide-resistant and/or insect-resistant.
Ninety-four percent of the soy grown in the U.S. has been genetically modified to
resist herbicides.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding GMOs is labeling. Unlike other
controversial foods like veal, trans fats, MSG or artificial sweeteners, GMO
ingredients in food are rarely, if ever, identified on the label.
GMO opponents advocate a labeling requirement so that consumers can decide
for themselves whether to consume GMO products.
Pros - Arguments For Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMO technology can develop crops with higher yield, with less fertilizer, less
pesticides, and more nutrients.
Traditional breeding can be very slow because it might take several generations
before the desired trait is sufficiently brought out and the offspring must reach
sexual maturity before they can be bred. With GMO technology, the desired
such, so that consumers can choose whether to buy GMOs. Such labels will not
be seen as warnings any more than ingredients lists or nutrition information can
be viewed as warnings.
GMOs and Animal Rights
Animal rights is the belief that animals have an intrinsic value separate from any
value they have to humans, and have a right to be free of human use,
oppression, confinement and exploitation.
On the plus side, GMOs can make agriculture more efficient, thereby reducing our
impact on wildlife and wild habitats.
However, genetically modified organisms raise some specific animal rights
concerns.
On the minus side, GMO technology often involves experimenting on animals.
The animal can be the source of the genetic material, or the recipient of genetic
material. Genetic material from jellyfish and coral has been used to create
genetically modified mice, fish, and rabbits as glowing pets for the novelty pet
trade.
The patenting of genetically modified animals is also a concern to animal rights
activists. Patenting animals treats the animals more like property instead of
sentient, living beings. While animal advocates want animals treated less like
property and more like sentient beings with their own interests, patenting
animals is a step in the opposite direction.
GMOs are also a concern because they are tested on animals.
GMOs and Safety Testing
Under the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, new food additives must be proven
safe. While there are no required tests, the FDA offers Guidelines for Toxicity
Studies that include rodents and non-rodents, usually dogs. Although some
opponents of GMOs are demanding more long-term tests, animal advocates
should refrain from doing so. More tests will mean more animals suffering in
laboratories.
Regardless of whether any government agency requires or prefers animal testing
of GMOs, biotech companies will test their new products on animals to try to
protect themselves from lawsuits.
With all of the controversy around genetically modified (GM) foods, sorting
through huge volumes of information can seem like a daunting task. Many
members of the public are asking questions about GM foods and they are also
raising concerns about the effects these foods may have on their health or the
environment. There are different advantages and disadvantages of GM foods,
although to what extent they can help or harm humans and the environment is a
debatable aspect of this technology.
Benefits Of GM Foods
A proposed benefit of GM foods is that they can potentially produce higher crop
yields, which could help by feeding more people in developing countries. They
are also cited as more economical, despite the initial higher cost of the seeds.
The rationale is that they reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides as well as
reducing the manpower needed to successfully grow the crops, which should
translate into improved financial gains.
Improved food quality is another benefit associated with GM foods. A tomato, for
instance, can be engineered to stay fresher for longer, thereby extending its shelf
life in the supermarket.
Yet another benefit that is believed to occur from GM technology is that crops can
be engineered to withstand weather fluctuations and extremes. This means that
they can provide sufficient yields and quality despite a severe, poor weather
season.
Another benefit is that GM foods
specific nutrient that is lacking
vitamin A rich 'golden rice' is
engineered to have high levels of