GMOs; Are They Good For Us?
“The three most terrifying letters in the English language are G.M.O.” - John Stewart, The Daily Show. While I understand global efforts in advancing biotechnology, my position on genetically modified foods is; GMO’s are non-food, not fit for human or animal consumption, and cause harm.
My first argument against genetically modified foods is their effect on biodiversity. The seed market is largely controlled by five companies in the arena, those same companies are also the leaders in producing chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The industrialized farming of GMO’s limits selection of plant varieties depletes the nutritional value of the soil, is creating superbugs and superweeds (inturn, stronger pesticides are being produced), and is suspect as the cause of elimination of large populations of bees.
My second argument against genetically modified food is their effect on human and animal health. A famous 2-year study by Gilles-Eric Séralini on Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified corn found: “Biochemical analyses confirmed very significant chronic kidney deficiencies … In females, all treatment groups showed a two-to threefold increase in mortality, and deaths were earlier … All results were hormone- and sex-dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable. Females developed large mammary tumors more frequently … the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sexhormonal balance was modified by consumption of GM maize and Roundup treatments. Males presented up to four times more large palpable tumors … These results may be explained by not only the non-linear endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup but also by the overexpression of the EPSPS transgene or other mutational effects in the GM maize and their metabolic consequences.” Farmers report dead, sick and sterile animals after having been fed GM feed.
My third argument against genetically modified foods is their lack of independent research and testing before being accepted as healthy alternatives to traditional farming. It appears GM producers find loopholes in FDA regulation to get more under tested GM product varieties to market called, “substantially equivalent.”
I do understand the compelling argument for genetically modified foods in helping resolve world hunger. Those in favor of GM farming praise the increase in yields. GM crops are able to produce more with less land use, with an average increase of 22%. “The reduction of losses by pests, viruses and weeds that compete for soil nutrients, together with savings in phytosanitary products and fuel, indirectly increase the final yield when compared with conventional crops.” (Alliance for Science.) A corn and soybean farmer, Greg Guenther, states, “Using genetically modified seed makes my harvests much more reliable. Stalk borer and rootworm can cause a lot of damage if insecticide spraying doesn’t work, or if you leave it too late.”
I believe in the pursuit in the discovery of advancements in biotechnology, it is true that plant gene structures have been beneficially “modified” for generations. My disagreement is in the gene splicing of pesticides into the DNA. That is where the compromise in ethics arises. I believe this science is short-sighted, with long-term health effects unknown.
Here is the script in a video:
Citations:
Entine, Jon. “Séralini Threatens Lawsuit In Wake Of Retraction Of Infamous GMO Cancer Rat Study.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 24 June 2014, www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2013/11/29/notorious-seralini-gmo-cancer-rat-study-retracted-ugly-legal-battle-looms/.
“Fitness and Health Expert: 10 Science-Based Reasons Why I'm Thankful for GMOs.” Genetic Literacy Project, 12 Jan. 2018, geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/07/20/fitness-and-health-expert-10-science-based-reasons-why-im-thankful-for-gmos/.
“GMO Crops Have Been Increasing Yield for 20 Years, with More Progress Ahead.” Alliance for Science, allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2018/02/gmo-crops-increasing-yield-20-years-progress-ahead/.
Knuivers, Martijn. “US Farmer's Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Crops (GMO).” Future Farming, 26 July 2017, www.futurefarming.com/Smart-farmers/Articles/2017/7/US-farmers-pros-and-cons-of-genetically-modified-crops-GMO-1640WP/.
“Organic vs. Conventional Using GMOs: Which Is the More Sustainable Farming?” GMO FAQs, gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/organic-non-gmo-farming-sustainable-farming-using-gmos/.
Seralini, et al. “Republished Study: Long-Term Toxicity of a Roundup Herbicide and a Roundup-Tolerantgenetically Modified Maize.” Environmental Sciences Europe, SpringerOpen, 1 Jan. 1970, enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5.
Submitted by skarimi on March 13. “10 Problems With Genetically Modified Foods (Wall Street Cheat Sheet).” Green America, greenamerica.org/blog/10-problems-genetically-modified-foods-wall-street-cheat-sheet.
My first argument against genetically modified foods is their effect on biodiversity. The seed market is largely controlled by five companies in the arena, those same companies are also the leaders in producing chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The industrialized farming of GMO’s limits selection of plant varieties depletes the nutritional value of the soil, is creating superbugs and superweeds (inturn, stronger pesticides are being produced), and is suspect as the cause of elimination of large populations of bees.
My second argument against genetically modified food is their effect on human and animal health. A famous 2-year study by Gilles-Eric Séralini on Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified corn found: “Biochemical analyses confirmed very significant chronic kidney deficiencies … In females, all treatment groups showed a two-to threefold increase in mortality, and deaths were earlier … All results were hormone- and sex-dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable. Females developed large mammary tumors more frequently … the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sexhormonal balance was modified by consumption of GM maize and Roundup treatments. Males presented up to four times more large palpable tumors … These results may be explained by not only the non-linear endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup but also by the overexpression of the EPSPS transgene or other mutational effects in the GM maize and their metabolic consequences.” Farmers report dead, sick and sterile animals after having been fed GM feed.
My third argument against genetically modified foods is their lack of independent research and testing before being accepted as healthy alternatives to traditional farming. It appears GM producers find loopholes in FDA regulation to get more under tested GM product varieties to market called, “substantially equivalent.”
I do understand the compelling argument for genetically modified foods in helping resolve world hunger. Those in favor of GM farming praise the increase in yields. GM crops are able to produce more with less land use, with an average increase of 22%. “The reduction of losses by pests, viruses and weeds that compete for soil nutrients, together with savings in phytosanitary products and fuel, indirectly increase the final yield when compared with conventional crops.” (Alliance for Science.) A corn and soybean farmer, Greg Guenther, states, “Using genetically modified seed makes my harvests much more reliable. Stalk borer and rootworm can cause a lot of damage if insecticide spraying doesn’t work, or if you leave it too late.”
I believe in the pursuit in the discovery of advancements in biotechnology, it is true that plant gene structures have been beneficially “modified” for generations. My disagreement is in the gene splicing of pesticides into the DNA. That is where the compromise in ethics arises. I believe this science is short-sighted, with long-term health effects unknown.
Here is the script in a video:
Citations:
Entine, Jon. “Séralini Threatens Lawsuit In Wake Of Retraction Of Infamous GMO Cancer Rat Study.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 24 June 2014, www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2013/11/29/notorious-seralini-gmo-cancer-rat-study-retracted-ugly-legal-battle-looms/.
“Fitness and Health Expert: 10 Science-Based Reasons Why I'm Thankful for GMOs.” Genetic Literacy Project, 12 Jan. 2018, geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/07/20/fitness-and-health-expert-10-science-based-reasons-why-im-thankful-for-gmos/.
“GMO Crops Have Been Increasing Yield for 20 Years, with More Progress Ahead.” Alliance for Science, allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2018/02/gmo-crops-increasing-yield-20-years-progress-ahead/.
Knuivers, Martijn. “US Farmer's Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Crops (GMO).” Future Farming, 26 July 2017, www.futurefarming.com/Smart-farmers/Articles/2017/7/US-farmers-pros-and-cons-of-genetically-modified-crops-GMO-1640WP/.
“Organic vs. Conventional Using GMOs: Which Is the More Sustainable Farming?” GMO FAQs, gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/organic-non-gmo-farming-sustainable-farming-using-gmos/.
Seralini, et al. “Republished Study: Long-Term Toxicity of a Roundup Herbicide and a Roundup-Tolerantgenetically Modified Maize.” Environmental Sciences Europe, SpringerOpen, 1 Jan. 1970, enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5.
Submitted by skarimi on March 13. “10 Problems With Genetically Modified Foods (Wall Street Cheat Sheet).” Green America, greenamerica.org/blog/10-problems-genetically-modified-foods-wall-street-cheat-sheet.
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