Genetically Modified Foods: The Debate

Ranked #6,096 in Healthy Living, #109,524 overall

What is Genetically Modified Food?

Genetically modified food, a type of GMO (genetically modified organisms), is produced from changing the genetic characteristics of an organism, such as a seed. This can be done through inserting a new DNA into the organism, adding, removing or rearrangement the order of the gene, with the purpose of changing some of the characteristics of the food.

Other Facts

The When and Why of Genetic Modification

When did GMO become available?
The food was actually available in the early 1990s.

Why did people make GMO?
Scientists aim to product a superior "species" of food, e.g. bigger, sweeter fruits, wheat that is tolerant of herbicides or insects, or tomato that is more resistant to rotting. Many of them have a noble aim: to produce more food to solve the world's hunger problem, or to improve the efficiency of agricultural land to save the environment. However, there are concerns related to potential harm of genetically engineered food to human, the environment and the world. We will explore this big debate below.

Is Genetically Modified Foods Common?

You bet!

In 2005, about 222 million acres (900,000 KM2, or double the size of California) are used for GM food cultivation, of which 55% are from US. In terms of harvest, around 60% of the world's GM food comes from US, 20% from Argentina, 5% from Canada, and the rest mostly from the 3 biggest emerging countries: Brazil, China and India.

In terms of crops, the most common genetically engineered food in the US is soybeans (89%), cotton (83%), maize (66%). Most of them are modified to become more herbicide tolerant.

Do People Care about GM Foods?

It depends. According to a poll done in 2005, only a small proportion of Americans have knowledge on GM foods. Among them, they oppose animal cloning and support active product regulation, but in general remain supportive of the technology. The fact that GM food isn't required to be labeled, and absence of organized anti-GM-food campaign also contribute to the relatively lack of concern among Americans in this matter.

On the other hand, Britons (and Europeans) have much stronger views, with more than half of the Britons against GM food being available to the market. It may be a result of a controversial study in 1999 suggested that a few strains of GM potatoes might be toxic to laboratory rats, as well as wide-spread food concern since the Mad Chow Disease scare.

Interestingly, if we assume that the developing countries don't care, we are wrong!

  • In 2002, Zambia, a country suffering from acute famine, refuses to accept GM maize from the UN World Food Program. It was until the famine got so bad three years later that the government changed its mind and started importing GM food again.

  • Hugo Chavez imposes a ban on GM seeds throughout Venezuela in 2004.

  • The Hungarian government also disallowed import and planting of GM maize seeds in 2005.
  • What is the Future of GM Foods?

    As creative as you want! Animals can be made to mature faster, fruits made to yield faster and bigger, and plants made to yield more of the chemicals useful to humans (e.g. for making vaccines and special raw materials). Sky is your limit!

    Given such a potential, it is not surprisingly that some people are marvelled by this invention while others are very worried about its impact to our planet.

    The Big Debate: Should We Love or Hate GM Food?

    On solving food hunger
  • Lovers: More food can be made efficiently. In particular, crops can be made to grow in harsh agricultural condition, e.g. in some parts of Africa.

  • Haters: There are enough food for everyone to eat, but currently food is not distributed to the right place. So problem is not quantity, but logistics, distribution and politics.


  • On solving malnutrition
  • Lovers: Food can be modified to contain more vitamins and minerals. For example, a new strain of vitamin-A rich rice is being developed, hopefully to alleviate blindness which has been affecting 500,000 persons on an annual basis.

  • Haters: Food can be consciously made good, but unconsciously made toxic at the same time. There are valid concerns of unforeseen consequences.


  • On food safety
  • Haters: There is not enough scientific research to study the potential harm of GM food.

  • Lovers: There are already more than 100 government research. None of them have conclusive evidence of harm from GM food.


  • On politics and balance of power
  • Haters: Since the GM technology is owned by a few biotechnology firms, there is a worry that these firms have too much power in controlling the world food market. Also, the millions of farmers' livelihood will be controlled by these few firms.

  • Lovers: The reduction of herbicides used and increased efficiency of GM food actually make farming more profitable for individual farmers. Also, a few genetically engineering licenses are given to farmers in poorer regions allowing to save seeds for next year's planting.


  • On the environment
  • Lovers: Crops are made to be herbicide-tolerant. Therefore, less herbicides are used which is only positive for the environment.

  • Haters: It is true, but now that herbicides are so successful in killing the weeds, the animals that live off from crop weeds will be wiped out.


  • It happens in nature anyway
  • Lovers: Cross breeding is a natural process of producing new breeds with different genetic characteristics. Sounds the same for genetic engineering, so what's the big deal?

  • Haters: Cross breeding is a process that goes through thousands of years and is well tested in the environment. However, genetic engineering done in a lab in large quantities is too quick and too large-scale for our vulnerable eco-system.


  • The debate continues.

    While the GM food issue remains controversial, it is the most important that we find out the facts, then give our support or opposing accordingly. I hope you have learned a little bit about genetic modified foods today and please do take a poll below and tell the world what you think!

    Our readers' view

    Loading poll. Please Wait...

    Featured Shop: Simply Organic

    Not so sure about GM food? Let's support organic food and farming where GMO is prohibited. Simply Organic promotes a fresh, natural and healthy way of eating and living, as well as harmony with nature and the environment.

    Everyday we have been fed with produce from animals stuffed with growth hormones. Say no to this practice and support organic farming!

    Price: 0.00 Buy Now

    You are what you eat: go Organic -- a good reminder on the importance of healthy eating, drinking and living.

    Price: 0.00 Buy Now

    This Scrabble-inspired design reminds us that healthy living is an educational process, and your health will just get better and better with practice!

    Price: 0.00 Buy Now

    Asian cultures have emphasized harmony with nature, environment, and spiritual balance for centuries. Now spread the Zen philosophies with us! Makes perfect outfit for yoga and meditation

    Price: 0.00 Buy Now

    Make everyone laugh out loud with this T-shirt, and promote organic farming in a whole new way! This collection also makes excellent baby and pet gifts.

    Price: 0.00 Buy Now

    Powered by CafePress

    Lastly, if it is only a Yes or No Answer...

    If you are now the President of your country and have to vote for a Yes or No on GM food in a UN convention, what would you do?

    My Vote and My Reason

    Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

    YES

    trol says:

    bananas are radioactive!!! we're all gunna die!!!!

    Stu says:

    It would solve so many problems if handled right, imagine if they made pigs that produced omega-3, bacon would become a health food. Most of the people who said know aren't very educated about the matter, with the old fashioned way of cross breeding plants there is a greater risk of unwanted harmful mutations (ei. kiwi allergy) while with GMOs you can target what you want and avoid what you don't want easier as well as knocking out genes that cause food allergies. Its like choosing between a screw driver and a power drill with screw driver bits

    donna ginsburg says:

    It is much better than no solution to a problem . Tweaking the GM food may be helpful in the long run.

    god says:

    Genetic manipulation presents some danger because it is a step into the unknown. However this has never been a good reason to stop process. The advantages of GM are large. The disadvantages inly lay in ignorance of the technique. This is not a reason to stop. More research and investment is necessary. GM is the future.

    Jon says:

    We're going to need food, like it or not. The population growth isn't going to curb itself anytime soon, barring something horrendous. GMO foods are safer and more productive than the option, and addressing those that consider it 'messing with nature'? I'll disregard for the moment your overly-optimistic view of how the world outside man's works, but think about it: We're a species able to eat cooked meat, fight disease, fly thousands of miles in the sky; where would we be if 'nature' hadn't been messed with?

    calvin says:

    I would say there should be GM food. it is unhealthy but you should get the chice if you want to eat it or ot. there should be a label on it. it is more faster & easyier. farmers have less work to do. if we can have it , then why not ?

    B. J. says:

    I would have a tough time trying to decide, as many people have grown used to eating genetically modified food without realizing it. Take the seedless watermelon for example. When I walk into a grocery store and see a seedless watermelon, I don't think "Hmm, a seedless watermelon? How on Earth could that be possible, as watermelons need seeds to reproduce? Let me see, what could it be? Oh, I know! Genetically modified food!" But instead I thought: "Cool! They hav watermelons without seeds now! That means I won't have to pick them oout any more!"
    I think you understans what I mean.

    NO

    emily says:

    as pressident i could efford to feed my family orangic foods because i want the best for my family i should want the best for my country.

    Simon Robertson says:

    die please

    Simon Robertson says:

    genetically modified food doesn't last as long as CROPS and how long till we live off genetically modified food poeples

    Simon Robertson says:

    what will happen when we get cancer from not knowing how many times the food is genetically modified

    Simon Robertson says:

    if we have that mich food then why do the rich countries have it and how long till we are letting other people die from the cancer in genetically modified food

    Peeze says:

    Cancer rates continue to rise. We are messing with Mother Nature. Processed and GMO foods are killing us.

    tessica says:

    i love LA

    Diane says:

    No. Studies show rats fed GMO grains, 2nd generation, are sterile! Hamster studies show 3rd generation, sterile! Eating GMO foods can wipe out the human race. There is no ethical concern for the continuation of the race of man over the value of the almighty buck! Let Nature do the selection. Let scientists sacrifice their experimentation with nature in order to preserve the human species and the plant and animal life on earth.

    Linda says:

    NO

    Julie says:

    Unless a crop has been proven to be safe!

     
    view all 21 comments

    Links from the Pro-GM Camp

    New Scientist Special GMO Report
    My favorite site in the Pro camp. Generally supportive of GM technology and makes best effort to lay out the facts. Also reports on the anti-GM news to give a complete picture.
    Genetic Maize
    A more light-hearted blog written by PhD student Anastasia, whose research includes improving bioavailable iron in maize through genetic engineering.
    GMO Food For Thought
    A weekly blog that reports the latest news and innovation of the agricultural biotech industry. Somewhat technical, but lots of information.
    GMO Africa
    Similar to GMO Food For Thought. It actually discusses issues beyond Africa and has a nice blog.

    Books from the Pro-GM Camp

    Loading

    Links from the Anti-GM Camp

    Greenpeace on GMO
    My favorite site in the Against camp. While some people may frown on Greenpeace's usual "activist" approach, in this website they present the arguments rationally, with lots of useful information e.g. food labelling legislation on GM products in different countries.
    GM Watch
    A site with lots of anecdotes against the usage of GMO / GM foods.
    Seeds of Deception
    Website that promotes the book of the same title.
    A rather intense site. Also check out its sister site, responsibletechnology.org.

    Books from the Anti-GM Camp

    Loading

    Related Lens

    Loading

    What Do You Think?

    Whether it's your views, comments, ideas, constructive criticisms or improvements about this lens, you are most welcome to drop us a note. Thank you!

    submit

    by

    Steph-Saurus

    Someone who loves and cares about healthy food, and the food industry's impact on the environment.

    Feeling creative? Create a Lens!