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What are Genetically Modified (GM) Foods?
Although "biotechnology" and "genetic modification" commonly are used interchangeably,
GM is a special set of technologies that alter the genetic makeup of organisms such as animals, plants, or bacteria. Biotechnology, a more general term,
refers to using organisms or their components, such as enzymes, to make
products that include wine, cheese, beer, and yogurt.
Combining genes from different organisms is known as recombinant DNA technology,
and the resulting organism is said to be "genetically modified," "genetically
engineered," or "transgenic." GM products (current or those in development) include
medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibers.
Locating genes for important traits—such as those conferring insect resistance
or desired nutrients—is one of the most limiting steps in the process. However,
genome sequencing and discovery programs for hundreds of organisms
are generating detailed maps along with data-analyzing technologies to understand
and use them.
In 2006, 252 million acres of transgenic crops were planted in 22
countries by 10.3 million farmers. The majority of these crops were herbicide-
and insect-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and alfalfa. Other crops
grown commercially or field-tested are a sweet potato resistant to a virus
that could decimate most of the African
harvest, rice with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition
in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes.
On the horizon are bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious
diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly; cows that are
resistant to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease); fruit and
nut trees
that yield years earlier, and plants that produce new plastics with unique
properties.
In 2006, countries that grew 97% of the global transgenic crops were the United
States (53%), Argentina (17%), Brazil (11%), Canada (6%), India (4%), China
(3%), Paraguay (2%) and South Africa (1%). Although growth is expected to
plateau in industrialized nations, it is increasing in developing
countries. The next decade will see exponential progress in GM product development
as researchers gain increasing and unprecedented access to genomic resources
that are applicable to organisms beyond the scope of individual projects.
Technologies for genetically modifying foods offer dramatic promise for
meeting some of the 21st Century's greatest challenges. Like all new
technologies, they also pose some risks, both known and unknown. Controversies
surrounding GM foods and crops commonly focus on human and environmental safety,
labeling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security,
poverty reduction, and environmental conservation (see
GM Products: Benefits and Controversies, below).
GM Products: Benefits and Controversies
Benefits
- Crops
- Enhanced taste and quality
- Reduced maturation time
- Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance
- Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides
- New products and growing techniques
- Animals
- Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency
- Better yields of meat, eggs, and milk
- Improved animal health and diagnostic methods
- Environment
- "Friendly" bioherbicides and bioinsecticides
- Conservation of soil, water, and energy
- Bioprocessing for forestry products
- Better natural waste management
- More efficient processing
- Society
- Increased food security for growing populations
Controversies
- Safety
- Potential human health impacts, including allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance
markers, unknown effects
- Potential environmental impacts, including: unintended transfer
of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms
(e.g., soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity
- Access and Intellectual Property
- Domination of world food production by a few companies
- Increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries
- Biopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resources
- Ethics
- Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values
- Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species
- Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa
- Stress for animal
- Labeling
- Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., United States)
- Mixing GM crops with non-GM products confounds labeling attempts
- Society
- New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries
Links for More Information
The following websites offer basic
information on GM crops and technologies as well as ethical issues and provide
up-to-date information on new developments and controversies.
AgNIC Gateway
The AgNIC gateway is an information resource
for researchers, information specialists, educators, and members of the
public and functions as a guide to quality agricultural
biotechnology information.
Environmental News Network
A good resource for news stories from many sources.
Guardian Unlimited Special
Reports
Special collection on stories and other resources related to GM organisms from
the British newspaper The Guardian.
Information Systems for Biotechnology
Offers resources to support the environmentally responsible use of agbiotech
products. Includes documents and searchable databases and covers worldwide development,
testing, and regulatory review of GM organisms.
BIO Global
Biotech Crop Acreage Statistics
TheEnvironmentSite
Focuses on increasing
environmental awareness and providing ways individuals can
make small changes
to their lifestyle to help the environment.
United Nations Food
and Agricultural Organization
Report of the Panel of Eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture (May
2001). A discussion of basic ethical concerns, including globalization and the
right to food, farmers' rights, and environmental issues.
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