According
to the human genome project, genetic modification (GM) is a special set of technologies that alter the genetic makeup of such
living organisms as animals, plants, or bacteria.
According to the human
genome project, approximately 167 million acres of transgenic crops, the principal ones herbicide and insecticide resistant
were planted amongst 18 countries. 63% of these were in the US. Experts hypothesize that over the next 10 years we will see an exponential increase in GM product
development world wide.
So what does this mean
to the agriculture world? How does it affect the average, everyday farmer?
For farmers, genetic modification
opened about 1000 new doors in about 5 seconds. GM crops allow farmers to plant
crops that will yield higher quality, better tasting products. These plants grow
faster and healthier and yield more than any other varieties in history.
From a livestock standpoint, genetic modifications have resulted in animals with an increased
resistance to disease and higher feed efficiency. GM animals are known to post
higher meat, egg and milk yields, as well as be free of many genetic defects.
This can mean big payoffs
for the average consumer as well? All of these benefits for the farmer are passed
to you. What costs the farmer less to produce, costs you less to buy. With our growing American population, it also provides the security of a safe and efficient food supply.
Opponents of genetically modified foods do have reasonable concerns.
The one we are most used to hearing about is the fear of negative health effects.
While many different researchers, from the National Meat Animal Research Center to the USDA to the FDA, have found
that all gm foods on the market are safe to consumers, many still fear them.
As far as economics goes,
genetic modification does pose a considerable threat. Many opponents fear that
one or two companies will dominate the economy and food supply by holding patents to different products.
A new concern is bio-security. We are continuously hearing CNN anchors talk about the growing threat of bio-terrorism,
however, many people picture the sci-fi movie torpedo landing in downtown New York and emitting infectious gases. In all reality, the easiest way to poison a large group of people is through their food supply. Opponents of gm foods fear that the technology could fall into the wrong hands and become a threat to national
security.
Some religious groups are
opposed to genetic modification as well. They feel that the mixing and tampering
of genes of different species is “playing God” and unethical. Some
radical vegetarians are even refusing to consume plants with animal genes in them.
So what is the common person to do? There are several options for
the average consumer. While GM foods are not labeled specifically in the US,
organic products are. Strong opponents of gm foods are often big supporters in
the organic movement.
In the European union, over 1 million people have signed a petition to change GM food labeling regulations
to include milk, eggs and meat derived from animals fed with genetically modified products.
Greenpeace, the organizer of this petition, stated that the diet of European livestock on average consists of 33% GM
products.
Opposition to GM products is well respected by consumers in thriving countries like the US and Great
Britain, however, it is met with totally different feelings in struggling nations like Mexico.
Greenpeace is currently working against Mexican officials who are trying to introduce new GM varieties
of corn to their struggling farmers. These new varieties have already undergone
rigorous testing and are ready to plant, minus the legal battle beginning to ensue.
Mexican corn producers cannot produce enough to feed the nearly 100 million Mexican citizens who derive a large
portion of their diet from tortillas, a corn product. Last year, Mexico produced
22 million tons of corn and still had to import 8 million tons from the US, which due to GM varieties can produce 5 tons per
acre- an astounding feat to the Mexican farmer.
