"Genetically modified organisms also known as GMO's or transgenics. I’ll talk mostly about genetically modified crops. First off, what is a GMO? A genetically modified organism is the result of a process in which gene sequences are taken from one life form and added to another. There are several ways to do it, but the most common is by a process known as "recombinant DNA" it was developed in the early 1970's (developed most likely in the late1960's but published in 1973).
The GMO industry has for a long time liked to confuse the public’s understanding of GMO's by suggesting that there is virtually no difference between GMO's and hybrids, which exist naturally in nature. The difference is simple. Hybrids are the result of breeding between different species within the same taxa or group. A mule is a hybrid resulting from the mating of a donkey and a horse. A mule is sterile, cannot breed, and is created from natural processes. This can't be equated to combining bacteria and insect genes into corn DNA.
Some of the most common misconceptions about gm crops are that they are bigger better and tastier. Generally the traits that most of the gm crops are aimed at having are: either pesticide or herbicide resistance so that they can be sprayed with more pesticides or herbicides without dying, or insecticide producing traits, so that they have natural resistance to pests.
Industry claims gm crops could solve third world hunger. The problem of hunger around the world is not due to scarcity, there has been enough food for everyone for a long time. The problem has been of poverty and distribution, not of scarcity. That may change, scarcity may become an issue if crops are used for purposes other than food. 30 percent of corn grown in the United States is converted into ethanol. But, if scarcity becomes an issue, will gm crops save the day? i believe that the implementation of some gm crops could actually lead to world hunger and food crises. For instance, right now there are crops genetically engineered to produce drugs and plastics precursors for use by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. There are also crops being grown to produce vaccines. The spread of these crops into the food supply would have negative consequences.
You must be thinking...well, they must have safe guards against such a thing. These plants are grown in open air. Plants and animals have a way of getting around. As an example, the Hawaiian Islands are 2000 miles off the coast. They were once nothing but volcanic rock, they are now a lush paradise. The island was made green by the transport of seeds by birds and by the wind. Current "isolation zones" are inadequate at best. We're talking about a one mile buffer zone using pollen barriers or fields of non gm crops to sort of block the seeds. Certainly not 2000 miles...which as we've seen would be inadequate as well.
Introducing new life forms to the biosphere can have catastrophic effects on native life froms. The natural competition that exists in nature can be disrupted. Recently a genetically engineered salmon was produced to mature faster so that they could be harvested sooner. Being bigger and stronger sooner, has raised the concern that if released into the wild they could wipe out the wild salmon population.
Contamination has been an issue. In 2006 Japan banned long-grain rice from the United States after tests revealed that imported rice had been contaminated with experimental gm rice not approved for public consumption. That rice made its way into African imports as well.
GMO's are patented as intellectual property. This makes seed saving illegal, and illegal to grow the same crop the next year. The implications would be that if contamination occurred a person could unwittingly grow crops that are patented. This has already happened many times. The ethical concerns of patenting DNA are fairly clear. The six major agricultural companies engaging in gm crops could have total control over the world supply of food. Sustainable farming would wipe out. This would be particularly true if Monsanto put into production its patented terminator gene technology. This gene causes a plant to produce sterile seeds, so that replanting is impossible.
What you can do. At this time the genetic engineering industry is growing rapidly but it is not yet overwhelming. The major gm crops for consumption in our country that you should be considered about are corn and soybeans. About half of all corn and soybeans grown in our country are gm. You can limit your support for gm industries by buying organic foods. Most fresh foods are not GM, but many processed foods contain at least gm byproducts. Your best bet is to stay away from processed foods, to use fresh ingredients. This technology is here to stay, there is too much money invested in it, it's not going to go away. What we can do is demand for stricter safety tests and strict regulation to avoid and contain contaminations in the future."
Etiquetas: corporations, disinformation, marketing, Monsanto, OGM, Transgénicos
