“The introduction of genetically modified foods (GMO) tampers with the essence of life in an experiment with an unknown outcome and no real way to undo the damage”–Byron J. Richards, clinical nutritionist and health expert. Genetically modified organisms are plants that have had their DNA modified to give them unnatural characteristics (Purdue University, 2018). The characteristics given to the modified plants vary, but most commonly the traits of resistance to herbicides and pests are added (Non GMO Project, 2016). Moreover, the traits of GMOs create issues within the political, technical and socio-economic realms of the real world. They also pose various health risks to the consumer (Azadi, Samiee, Mahmoudi, Jouzi, Khachak, Maeyer & Witlox, 2015). Genetically modified foods have many dangers and negative effects therefore, they should be abolished and arguments in favor of GMOs are not in the best interest of the population.
The Negative Effects of GMOs
The human body’s performance is a reflection of the food it is given; therefore, eating foods that have been modified and have yet to be tested for safety can have dangerous effects on the body. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has stated that the possible effects of pesticides could include the development of cancerous cells and damage to body systems such as the nervous, reproductive and endocrine (Hsaio, 2015). The acetylcholine, a nervous system transmitter, is affected by the carbamates and organophosphates found in genetically modified crops (Hsaio, 2015). A brain with low acetylcholine levels is a characteristic of Alzheimer’s (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018). Human and animal reproductive systems also have been affected by GMOs (Zainol, Nordin, & Akopiviri, 2013). The abnormalities of this system can be linked to the increased exposure to pesticides that genetically modified organisms experience (Hsaio, 2015). Infertility and abnormal changes in pregnancies have been seen in both animals and humans (Zainol, Nordin, & Akopiviri, 2013). Abnormal changes in pregnancies result in developmental issues in offspring (Hsaio, 2015). Not only do the foods themselves affect the health of the consumers, pesticides used on the crops pose increased risks to the farmers as well. Studies have found that chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and neurological defects are connected to exposure. The risk for cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diseases of their nature is increased due to long term, low exposure to pesticides (Hsaio, 2015).
GMOs claim to increase yields and reduce the the need for crop rotation; however, genetically modified organisms fail to meet these expectations. GM technology is an added risk to food safety (Azadi et al., 2015). Farmers who use GM seeds seek to make their jobs easier and harvests more successful. Genetically modified crops however, do not produce better harvests and yields. Many factors contribute to the yield of a fields crop: the scale and region of growing, site and size of farms, climate, tillage systems, amount of weeds present, genetic background and varieties, and the skills and education of the farmer. Regions that rely heavily on genetically modified crops often experience monoculture, where a sole crop is produced. These regions also experience a reduction in crop rotation and plant diversity (Schutte et al., 2017). Genetically modified organisms have negatively affected the methods used to grow food for humans. The change in farming practices in these regions has altered the food produced and reduced the amount of trusted produce in circulation.
Not only are the plants and humans who consume genetically modified organisms affected, but the environment in which these plants are grown is also affected. Pests and other plants that the harsh chemicals try to eliminate become resistant to the chemicals, therefore rendering the chemicals ineffective in protecting the food. As the plants and animals gain immunity to the herbicides, higher doses are needed in order to be effective. However, an increase in chemicals leads to superweeds, which have exceptionally high resistance. The increase in pesticides also results in changes to soil quality, alterations to ecosystems and lower biodiversity (Gerasimova, 2015). Not only is the flora of the environment affected, the fauna is also. An example of the effects of genetically modified organisms is seen within the monarch butterfly population. Butterflies are pollinators meaning they facilitate the spread of seeds from one individual plant to another in order to reproduce. Butterflies are being killed by the pesticides used on crops. Due to the additional herbicides being used, a 90% decrease in milkweed growth as been seen. Since monarch caterpillars can only eat milkweed, this has resulted in an 81% decrease in the monarch butterfly population (Ludwig, 2018). Bt corn, a plant that relies on the pollination of monarch butterflies has been hurting due to the sudden decrease in butterflies (Zainol et al., 2013). GMOs have third party effects on the environment in which they are grown. Third party effects allow the reach of GMOs to extend well beyond the organisms themselves.
The world’s trade and economies are greatly affected by genetically modified organisms. Individual companies own the patents to individual seed modifications types. Patent owners charge more for their seeds in order to create a competitive market; however, this leads to monopolies which are not in the best intentions for the public (Azadi et al., 2015). The small number of companies that control the genetically modified seeds and their output have developed an unethical and greedy way of business (Gerasimova, 2015). Crops have an ability to affect the economy in certain regions more than others. GMOs result in unfavorable changes to the economies of developing countries (Azadi et al., 2015). The seeds cost more due to the royalties that farmers must pay to the patent owners. The cost difference between non GMO and GMO seeds is that of a 50-75% increase in price (Gerasimova, 2015). Genetically modified seeds claim to help small scale farmers with increased yields, but in reality they actually exclude them because of the increased price. The large companies and their power over the GM market detrimentally affects the livelihoods of small farmers (Azadi et al., 2015). The global economy depends a great deal on the wealth reaped from the land, and with an imbalance of wealth distribution the economy is negatively affected.
Genetically Modified Organisms and the Dangers They Pose
Genetically modified crops initially resulted in a decreased use in herbicides, but as they became more integrated into the environment their immunity genes were cross-pollinated into surrounding plants. The plants surrounding GMOs now possess the genes that initially were developed to keep them out. Pests also became immune to the herbicides once used to keep them out. Immunity has greatly affected the amount of pesticides needed to protect the plants. Before the development of GMOs, less herbicide was needed to keep weeds away because the crops did not contain any resistance genes, From 1998 to 2013 farmers of herbicide resistant crops used 45% more chemicals than farmers of traditional soybeans. Herbicide resistance is a predominant trait in many GM crops. (Schutte et al., 2017). As weeds are exposed to herbicide they develop resistance to the chemicals, which results in an increase of herbicide used in order to be effective. The farmers must use more to fight off plants that have developed resistance genes through pollination and long term exposure (Hsaio, 2015). Genetically modified organisms require high doses of herbicide in the process of their growth. These chemicals pose many dangers to the flora and fauna of the area.
Cross pollination and the evolution of crops around GMOs has resulted in the contamination of the gene pools of many crops. Although herbicide resistance traits make weed control easier, they also contribute to the use of more chemicals and less crop rotation. As more chemicals are used superweeds, a decrease crop rotation, and monocultures all develop (Schutte et al., 2017). Genes of herbicide resistance flow from crops to weeds by hybridization between weeds and biotypes; therefore, resulting in chemical resistant weeds. Just the chemical of Glyphosate has resulted in the the development of 34 resistant weed types worldwide. Herbicide resistant planting systems do not foster an effective agriculture system that protects the diversity of the ecosystem (Schutte et al., 2017). Genetically modified seeds result in the reduction of biodiversity, where as organic farming techniques keep farming in the control of the farmer (Gerasimova, 2015). The gene pool of many crops are affected by the introduction of GMOs into their ecosystems. The contamination of many crops is a result of genetically modified crops.
The development and institution of genetic modifications to organisms is ineffectively monitored by the government. One of the roles of the government is to protect the health of their citizens. This is a moral and legal obligation, and having good health is a right acknowledged both domestically and internationally. Even though this is a recognized role of the government, the FDA has no regulations or studies on GM food sources (Zainol et al., 2013). As a result of this lack of regulation, companies can take “results” from their private studies and change them to match the best interest of the company. The health of those who consume genetically modified foods is greatly affected. Without labels, the consumer does not know the components of food. The lack of knowledge makes diagnosing health issues related to consumption quite difficult (Zainol et al., 2013). Developed countries have small regulations throughout the entire process from planting to consumption, but developing countries cannot reach this requirement, putting more pressure on their global trade openings (Azadi et al., 2015). Regulations create a foundation for a safe and reliable food source for a country’s population and global trade. Without regulations the potential for safety to be compromised is greatly increased.
Modifying the genes of organisms comes with great uncertainty. GMOs are still relatively new; consequently, the population does not yet know the effects of the changes. Major risks come with the unknown genes that scientists and farmers are developing into their organisms. Mankind has survived off the sustenance of natural food forever and no claims have questions its safety. Scientists do not know the effects of the new and unstudied GM foods. Genetically modified foods however, pose hazards that are unknown at the moment. They should be labeled so consumers know what they are getting, because effects will arise after too much damage has been done (Zainol et al., 2013). The risks of GM foods must be evaluated before the technology is distributed because the effects will be irreversible. GMOs need to be assessed scientifically, socially, and ethically (Azadi et al., 2015). New developments in technology come with great risks, risks that should not be brought into the production of the world’s food source.
Rebuttal to Opposition
Proponents of GMOs may argue that they better control weed growth, require less pesticide and increase yield (Schutte et al., 2017). However, these arguments do not hold. Weeds become immune to the resistance genes added; therefore, more pesticide is required in order to be effective. Better yields cannot be linked to the use of genetically modified organisms. Many factors play into the yield of a crop: the scale and region of growing, site and size of farms, climate, tillage systems, amount of weeds present, genetic background and varieties, and the skills and education of the farmer (Schutte et al., 2017). All things considered, GMOs do not perform above the standard and traditional organic crops that have been used for thousands of years.
Advocates for genetically modified organisms may also contend that GMOs are harmless because the idea of modifying food sources has been around for thousands of years (Science Literacy Project, 2016). Throughout the course of history farmers have bred crops to develop ideal traits. The difference between the early modifications and today’s, lies in the manner in which changes are made. Today’s modifications are made with chemicals in laboratories. The natural processes that were used in generations prior are far from the technological techniques used today (Science Literacy Project, 2016). Breeding in nature poses no major effects to health. In contrast, the breeding occurring in laboratories using chemicals creates many unknown and dangerous effects on the health and safety of consumers as well as the environment.
Genetically modified foods should be eradicated due to the dangers and negative effects they have on the natural environment as well as the world in which they are used in. All arguments in favor for the use of GMOs are unsafe and lack sound backing. GM foods and their relatively new and dangerous effects pose a great danger to many aspects of the world, including the economy, environment, and social and sustainable development (Gerasimova, 2015). They have negative effects on health, production, trade and the environment in which they are used. GMOs also pose many dangers due to the increased herbicide use, contamination of natural gene pools, lack of monitoring and regulations, and the risks of the unknown genes and their effects. GMOs create many potential dangers and effects and are not the best solution to solve the issues of facilitating farming.