Hook Research Final Draft: Gentically Modified Crops:The Future Of Food

Imagine biting into a nice big piece of corn on the cob. While it may taste good and look normal, there is much more to this piece of food than meets the eye. This particular corncob has been modified genetically to resist pesticides. Furthermore, the adverse effects of these modifications have not been examined for any long-term adverse health effects. There is also not enough concrete evidence that shows the corn being consumed will have no harm on the environment it is grown in. Genetically modified crops are becoming an increasingly popular way to grow food and are already being sold to consumers (Han and Harrison 1). Genetically modified crops are made by the modification of genes in the plant in order to give the plant new more desirable attributes. With increased popularity among farmers and corporations, the implications of genetically modifying food should be examined further and more tenaciously, especially if genetically modified crops become the preferred choice of product for farmers. Although genetically modified crops may have their benefits, they are still questionable because there are potential health risks, potential environmental risks, and ethical issues that must be addressed.

One of the most important aspects to consider concerning genetically modified crops is the possibility of negative health effects in humans that consume them. While studies have been conducted on the short term potential health risks of genetically modified crops, the possible long term effects of eating these types of foods have not yet been determined (Schmidt 6). It is necessary to do further research into the possibility of long term health effects before genetically modified food products become more widely consumed. In an article by Tom Horlick-Jones, John Walls, and Jenny Kitzinger, the health risks of genetically modified foods are compared to the way people viewed the health risks of smoking cigarettes before scientists found out that cigarette smoking was linked to the development of lung and heart disease, including cancer (13). It is never good to find out that something that is being consumed on a mass scale has adverse health effects after it has already been consumed extensively. What is more disturbing is that these products are already being sold and consumed without consumer knowledge (Han and Harrison 1).

Another health related problem is that genetically modified crops may actually mutate the nutritional structure of the crops themselves and could decrease or change the nutritional value to humans (Cook 133). Also, there is the risk that genes that cause human allergies in one plant may be inserted into another plant, unbeknownst to the consumer and this could end in a dangerous allergic reaction (McLean). Many people are affected by food allergies and in some cases these reactions can be fatal.

The potential health risks of genetically modified crops should be further examined before these products are made more available for mass consumption then they already are. An alternative to eating genetically modified crops includes eating traditionally grown crops that are not genetically modified like the crops that existed on the market before genetically modified crops were introduced. Another option includes eating organically grown crops to avoid the potential health risks of genetically modified crops. A seemingly better alternative for those who like the benefits of genetically modified crops, but do not necessarily trust crops that are genetically modified, is what is known as nuclear food. Nuclear food involves exposing plants to levels of radiation that cause natural mutations which can then be bred into plants without the need for any type of genetic modification (Williams 2). By using radiation to mutate plants, there is nothing changed within the plants genetics that could not occur naturally (Williams 3).

Not only is it unclear how genetically modified crops will affect the health of humans, environmental risks are also present. Dr. Harry Kuiper sums up the environmental concerns by stating that “There are a number of issues to consider, including development of resistance in insects against certain crop pesticides, transformation of crops into weeds, harmful effects on non-target organisms, gene flow, and altered uses of agrochemicals on transgenic crops” (1). Even Gregory Pence, who wrote a book supporting the use of genetically modified crops, agrees that the environmental effects are possibly the biggest concern and that the arguments about adverse environmental effects “carry the most weight” (189). A common practice is to create herbicide resistant crops through genetic modification. One issue of concern is the possibility of herbicide resistant modified genes in a plant crossing into a weed, making the weed resistant to the herbicide as well (McLean). Having a species of herbicide resistant weeds would obviously be a problem for farmers trying to grow these crops and would be an even bigger problem if these weeds were to spread to surrounding areas, choking out the natural plant life while resisting herbicides.

Another one of the practices used in genetically modifying food involves modifying crops with a bacteria gene making the plant more readily resistant to pests (National Research Council 145) This practice has led to leaf stripping in some of the crops (National Research council 146). Also, the effects of this type of modification on human health have not been closely examined (Wesseler 90). Another mutation related environmental risk factor includes the mutation of pests near the genetically modified crops, as well as indirect effects on insects and wildlife (Cerdeira et Al. 5). With the potential of mutation in non-target organisms, scientists need to be sure that mutations will be little to none, or at least not problematic as a result of growing genetically modified crops.

One of the other concerns brought up by the use of genetically modified crops is the effect that broad-spectrum herbicides that are used on plants that are modified to resist this specific type of herbicide may have on the environment. Broad-spectrum herbicides are single herbicides that can be used on genetically modified crops that are modified to resist them as opposed to the traditional method of using several types of herbicide on non-genetically modified crops (Cook 136). The problem with using these broad-spectrum herbicides is the possible effect that they would have on non-target organisms, such as birds and other plants that are sprayed or around the chemicals that are sprayed on the genetically modified crops themselves (Cook 146). Scientists need to take a closer look at how these herbicides may affect surrounding organisms in the long run to ensure that negative long term and short-term ecological effects do not take place. One good alternative to genetically modifying crops would be to put more money into developing safer more effective pesticides and herbicides. With more research funding put towards creating safer herbicides and pesticides, a solution could be found for reducing the environmental impact of herbicides and pesticides without the need for genetically modifying crops that resist these elements.

The new era of biotechnology has raised new and important debate over the ethics of man manipulating the genes of living organisms including plants used for crops. One of the issues is that these products are being sold without being labeled in the United States and other countries (“Genetically Modified Food and Organisms”). Consumers should at least be given a choice of what kind of food product they are buying by the proper labeling of products as genetically modified (Han and Harrison 4). This is already being done so that consumers can distinguish between organic and regularly grown crops.

The idea of man redesigning plant and animal DNA has been subject to debate since it first came about. Religious groups especially have had problems with the idea of scientists “playing God” with crops and food, as well as the moral implications of the scientist performing these modifications (PBS). While religious groups are making a moral argument based on their beliefs, they still raise an interesting point. Even groups outside of the religious viewpoint have had objections to tampering with the natural gene structure of crops (“Genetically Modified Food and Organisms”). When scientists begin modifying nature, important ethical questions need to be addressed before science goes too far and something negative is done that cannot be undone.

Another ethical problem is the way large companies who own the rights to genetically modified crops would treat farmers that operate on a much smaller scale (McLean) These businesses could potentially cut out these farmers by selling to larger agro-businesses that would generate higher sales for the companies in question. It is important to allow small-scale farmers to have access to these technologies if these technologies become the norm, and not to allow large companies to take a firm hold on the agricultural market. Competition is the backbone of a capitalist economy, and by limiting competition the consumer loses. Genetically modified foods certainly raise new ethical questions that should be addressed if genetically modified crops are going to become a staple in the agriculture market.

Food is a necessity for human life. Genetically modified food is really just beginning to become a realistic option as the dominant food source choice for farmers and consumers. Based on current trends, it is most likely a reality that genetically modified food will eventually become a more prevalent source of food and a more desirable crop for farmers. Researchers need to be sure that genetically modified crops will not have any long term health effects on people, especially if genetically modified crops step up from being a minority food source to a majority food sources. Research should also be continued to ensure that irreversible environmental effects wouldn’t become a problem. The ethical implications of growing genetically modified crops must also be closely examined and measures must be taken to ensure that food will remain available for all people in the world and not be negatively impacted through the science of genetic modification. Genetically modified foods must be examined closer before they take a place as a reasonable source of food.

Works Cited:
Cerdeira, A.L., et al. "Review of potential environmental impacts of transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybean in Brazil [electronic resource]." Journal of environmental science and health. Part B: Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes 42, (June 2007): 539-549. Agricola. EBSCO. UAF Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries, Fairbanks, AK. 26 Mar. 2009 .

Kuiper, Harry. "Biotechnology, the Environment, and Sustainability." Nutrition Reviews 61.6 (15 June 2003): s106. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. UAF Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries, Fairbanks, AK. 26 Mar. 2009 .

Schmidt, Charles W. "Genetically Modified Foods Breeding Uncertainty." Environmental Health Perspectives 113.8 (Aug. 2005): A526-A533. Health Source - Consumer Edition. EBSCO. UAF Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries, Fairbanks, AK. 26 Mar. 2009 .

Williams, Stephen. "Rather than GM, here comes nuclear food." New African (Jan. 2009): 20-22. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries, Fairbanks, AK. 30 Apr. 2009 .

Han, Jae-Hwan, and R. Wes Harrison.. "Factors Influencing Urban Consumers' Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods [electronic resource]." Review of agricultural economics 29, (Dec. 2007): 700-719. Agricola. EBSCO. Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries, Fairbanks, AK. 30 Apr. 2009 .

Horlick-Jones, Tom, John Walls, and Jenny Kitzinger. "Bricolage in action: learning about, making sense of, and discussing, issues about genetically modified crops and food." Health, Risk & Society 9.1 (Mar. 2007): 83-103. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Rasmuson and BioSciences Libraries. 30 Apr. 2009 .

"Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms." Human Genome Project Information. 25
Apr. 2009 gmfood.shtml>.

McLean, Margaret R. "The Future of Food: An Introduction to the Ethical Issues
in Genetically Modified Foods." Santa Clara University. Santa Clara
University. 24 Apr. 2009 focusareas/medical/conference/presentations/genetically-modified-foods.html>.

National Research Council. Envrironmental Effects of Transgenic Plants.
Washington, D.C.: National Acadamy , 2002.

Pence, Gregory E. Designer Food. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2002.

Wesseler, Justes ed. H.H. Environmental Costs and Benefits of Transgenic Crops.
Dordrecht: Springer, 2005.

Cook, Guy. Genetically Modified Language. New York: Routledge, 2005.

PBS. "Genetically Modified Foods." PBS.com. 25 Apr. 2009 wnet/religionandethics/week434/cover.html>.