GMO teen

   Let me introduce you to GMO. GMO are Genetically Modified Organisms that have been changed genetically so that it can grow faster and stronger and remain fresher for a very long time. However, they are not bred to have the traits that they possess. Their genetics are changed in a lab, to become sweet, insect repellant, and herbicide resistant. It is similar to getting plastic surgery except it is not just your outwardly appearance, it is your DNA that has been changed to make you have a pointer nose, smaller chin and bigger eyes so that you can pass these traits to your off springs.

    There are many different GMOs. However, today I am focused on GM Sweet Corn. GM sweet corn has the ability to fend off pests, be unaffected by herbicides and be immune to some diseases. Scientists used a technique called agrobacterium, which uses bacteria to transfer genes into plants. To allow these sweet corn to fight against pests, scientists added a gene from a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, which is a crystal that can damage an insect’s digestive system. Their ability to fend off herbicides are not genetically modified, but is bred and used the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate. Scientists also added features to certain versions of sweet corn so that the plant can become immune to infections as well. But what if something goes wrong?

   Well, there is a regulatory processes that tests these GMOs in order to ensure that they are safe to consume. These GMOs need to meet the same standards as non-GMO foods, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Health Canada will perform a scientific assessment to find the development of the modified organism. The scientists would need to find its nutritional value and compare it with the non-modified counterpart; the chances of it creating new toxins and allergic reactions; microbiological and chemical safety of the food; the chances for unwanted secondary affects; the major nutrients and toxicant; and a list of the major and minor constituents. They also have to ensure the genotypic and phenotypic stability of the inheritance as well. And all these procedures are done so that we can relax when we munch off of our corn cob.

   Even though it is well regulated, there are still some environment, economic, political, societal, and ethical issues.

Environmental Issues   Genetically modified sweet corn and many other Genetically Modified crops have the ability to stand against herbicides and pests. This can cut large amounts of costs for the farmers on herbicides and pesticides, and help the environment by using less chemicals and tools to grow. This also prevents soil erosion, greenhouse gas, and environmental pollution. However, that is only a short term solution. Others are worried about the weeds and insects that do survive herbicide or pesticide. They can develop herbicide or pesticide resistant genes, or breed with the GM corn to create “superweeds” or “superpests”, making them almost impossible to kill. This contradicts the original purpose of the GM corn of protecting corn with less herbicides and pesticides, because in the future, we would need an even stronger system of weed and pest control than modifying genes.

Economic Issues   The market for Genetically Modified Foods are growing rapidly and industries are earning a profit. In 2002, 70% of process foods are Bt corn starch. In the US, 90% of corn, soybeans and cotton are genetically modified. USA, Argentina, Canada, and China are major producers of GM crops. 70% of the processed food products contain Genetically Engineered ingredients. Why? Because GMOs are developed for the purpose of industrialization, and bulk production. Many of these organisms are modified to grow quickly and stay fresh for the purpose of selling and they are certainly making tons of money.

Political Issues   Many countries in the world are concerned with GMOs and when offered these plants, they rejected them. The South African countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe have rejected maize, a similar type of crop as GM sweet corn from the U.S... They said that they would not accept genetically modified crops unless it was grounded to flour. Many of these measures are taken because of mistrust of the U.S. government and the lack of procedures to ensure that GM products are safe.

Social Issues   GMOs affect three different groups of people: the Agri-biotech investors and their scientists (They believe that GM foods can be the solution to hunger, the lacking of natural resources, weeds, and pests.) and independent scientists, environmentalists, consumers and farmers (They think that GMO will bring a new generation of problems of health risks, super weeds or pests, antibiotic resistance, and other unknown effects.) It is true that it can protect the environment since GM sweet corn and many other GM crops can stand against pests and herbicides. However, there are many things we don’t know about GM products and to consume them will be a great risk to us. It is safe to say that we should be careful with this new discovery and refrain from making it a disaster.

Ethical Issues   GMO may bring about unknown dangers however, majority of these claims are not supported by solid evidence. It is thought that allergies have went up from 3.4% in 1997 to 1999, to 5.1% in 2009 to 2011. Scientists propose that it was caused by the proteins that were added to the plant. However, this is not a stable proof, because research are still being done and a solid conclusion still need to be drawn. So, should we be serving these corn to the public not knowing exactly what the risks are?

  GMO should not be fed to the general public until we are sure of the health risks it bring us. Even if we are certain that these products are consumable, scientists are still not confident that they are safe for consumption. There are too many risks involved and taking feeding people something we lack understanding of would place 7 billion lives in danger. I would propose that we stop imports of GM foods, not just GM sweet corn, and perform extensive research on its effects on health and continue the development on Bioengineering, genetic modification and its health and environmental effects. This way, we can be sure that these foods are safe and is beneficial for us and the environment in the future when they are back in the market.

  So next time you go shopping with your parents, introduce them to organic foods. We are sure of what the organic foods are, do, and contain, instead of a GM food that has the potential to bring the world disasters.