Gene Tinkering in Agriculture

¶ … genetically modified or altered (GM) crops. Specifically, it will discuss information on GM crops, the risks, the benefits, and how GM crops differ from traditional plant breeding. Genetically modified crops are not new, they have been in existence for many years, but they are extremely controversial - in part because some people do not comprehend their makeup, and in part because they are innovative, and there are still many questions that need to be answered about their affect on people, the environment, and overall health. Basically, GM crops are crops that have been genetically altered through science. Essentially, their DNA, or specific genes, are transferred between one plant and another to create different qualities, such as hardiness, etc. Some people call this "genetic engineering." It takes the best qualities of one plant and mates them with another to create a new sub-species or even species (Editors). These plants are generally easier to grow, produce more, or withstand elements or pests better. Just for the record, GM most often refers to crop plants, but it can really refer to any living organism, "such as pets that glow under UV light to bacteria which form HIV-blocking 'living condoms'" (Pickrell).

Are there real risks to GM crops? It seems the jury is out on that question. Initially when GM crops and foods appeared in Europe in the 1990s, reports showed that some genetically modified foods (potatoes) might be harmful to laboratory rats, and so, public opinion rose against them, and many sanctions and laws were put in place regarding their labeling, sale, and export (Pickrell). Many people believe that GM crops can cause a variety of health risks, from "producing toxic proteins (and allergens) or transferring antibiotic-resistance and other genes to human gut bacteria to damaging effect" (Pickrell). However, many of these risks have not been proved, and the research that showed GM potatoes harmed rats was criticized by other scientists. In fact, GM crops are commonly available throughout many countries in the world, including the U.S., where they do not have to be labeled.

The other risks that may actually be more worrisome than health risks are the risks to the environment. Many people worry that GM plants could become further mutated in the fields or breed with other crops, creating genetic super plants or nightmares that could take over entire areas of the globe. (The closest example of this is the kudzu outbreak in the southeast that introduced a non-native species to an area where it has thrived and literally taken over whole sections of the area, driving out other native species.) If GM plants got out of control like some of these other non-native species, then it could be difficult if not impossible to control them, and we could have bigger troubles with farming, the environment, and growing enough food to feed the world than we do now.

Many people also worry about gene transfer between plants, creating contaminated crops in other areas when the plant spreads pollen or seeds. Studies have shown that this does indeed occur, and could be a large concern with GM plants (Pickrell). Another real risk is how quickly genetically modified foods have entered the marketplace. One critic writes, "Genetically modified food, however, has been brought full-tilt into the marketplace in a remarkably short time" (Teitel 40). This could be the biggest risk - lack of testing to verify all the effects genetically modified foods and crops have on the population and the environment.