Michael Piazzini GMO Research and Controversy In 1935 a Russian Scientist, Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky, was the first to isolate pure DNA. DNA is a string of sophisticated molecules that make up a genetic series that encodes a particular strand of information and attributes that are unique to the organism of which the DNA is in. Nearly 20 years later a group of biologists from The University of Stanford get together and are the first to manufacture man made DNA or rdna. Seven years later a Supreme Court ruling is settled, allowing for a company to patent the first GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). The approved GMO is a bacterium with an appetite for crude oil, prepared for any spills of oil. By 1982 humulin: a man made insulin that is engineered from the E. coli bacteria. The ever lasting quantity of insulin helps support people with diabetes. In 1994 the Flavr Savr Tomato hits the grocery stores. The tomato was engineered to halt the ripening of the tomato after it was picked. This allowed for longer shelf life and less wasted, over ripened foods. If by the 1990 s scientists were able to accomplish so much with GMO research, then by 2020 they should be able to cure cancer or solve world hunger, right? But many people and organizations are highly against the further development of GMOs. However, the companies that use GMO products have much to say in rebuttal. The development of Genetically Modified Organisms has been highly controversial over the past ten to fifteen years. The argument continues to spread across the food, medical, and legal research. A nation full of hungry citizens. A nation where companies have to fulfill the rapid growth in demand for food. GMOs can provide a sustainable resource for growing soybeans, corn, cotton, potatoes, and the list goes on. In the majority of foods there is some sort of GMO.
One ingredient that covers a lot of the food that the people eat is corn. Corn is an ingredient that can be processed into a high fructose corn syrup that is put into soda, jelly, jam, dips, juices, candy, and even cake. No matter what it is or what food it is, corn syrup or some sort GMO is most likely in it. In fact, since 1997 the amount of genetically modified soybeans that are consumed has been increased by four times. Walk through the grocery store and explore a whole world of food that was genetically modified. This food is not only plentiful, it is also cheap. Most trips to the grocery store can fill up the shopping cart with GMO food products and still leave room in the wallets of the people. However, some people believe that mass producing crops and animals is not the natural and economic bargain people think it really is. The people that oppose the production of GMO are arguing that the cross DNA research may raise red flags of allergic reactions. For instance, if scientists begin to cross DNA from an organism that humans might have allergic traits, to another to improve upon its growth attributes, someone might have an allergic reaction to it. But if there might be an allergic quality in a product shouldn t there be a warning or information regarding the food on the label? In the United States there is no such law that requires companies to do such labeling on their products. Do the people have a right to know what is in their food? Are the companies hiding anything from the public? Whatever the case is, GMOs are able to defend themselves from herbicides and pesticides that the original plant could not do prior to the improvement. Despite the prolonged debate between whether or not GMOs are safe or not to eat, there are indefinite positive impacts and advancement in the medical fields. GMOs have provided scientists with treatment options that were, prior to the time, not on the market. This is a new generation of complex pharmaceuticals that are easily available to the public and cheaper than ever possible. A hepatitis B vaccine that was crossed from baker s yeast.
Factor VIII for people with thin blood and a tissue plasminogen activator, both of which are made in a genetically modified mammalian cells grown in a laboratory culture. There are plants under development that may lead to edible treatments to help with digestive tract infections. Scientists have been able to modify insects in other countries, specifically mosquitos, enabling the blockage of malaria in their system. Scientists hope that they will be able to to release a series of GM mosquitoes into the wild and eventually outcast the malaria mosquitoes. This future method is not only possible, but it also prevents the use of dangerous pesticides and DDT. They are also optimistic that their work might offer affordable treatment to patients worldwide with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cancer. As the demand for meat increases, the companies are finding ways to meet the high demand for such products. Farmers are using GM crops to feed their cattle, pigs, and poultry to the public. Since GM crops are cheap and easy to grow the animals are being raised at noticeably cheaper rates, allowing for the farmer to initiate a mass production process. This enables for the consumer to buy and eat the GM food at much cheaper prices and at the same quality. But is eating GM foods healthy? An unbiased study performed by Dr. Judy Carman shows that eating GM for long periods of time has negative effects. She, with her group of assistants, took 168 just weaned healthy pigs and fed half of them with organic non GM food. The other half was was fed a mixture of GM soybean and corn feed. This study was performed for over five months until their normal slaughter age. (Keep in mind that pigs have similar digestive systems to humans). After the biopsy report of the pigs, Dr. Carman concluded that the pigs that were primarily fed GM food had health problems. A few of the health problems include a uterus that weight 25% more than the average pig, inflammation of the stomach of the small intestine and
the stomach, stomach ulcers, thinning of the intestinal walls, and an increase in hemorrhagic bowel disease where a pig can bleed from their bowels and die. Inside the stomach there was over two and a half times more likely to get severe stomach inflammation. Yes, humans are pigs but they are close enough to raise a certain amount of concern. But what about the people? The people love this food and will always want to keep buying and eating it. From a company standpoint there is no alternative way to meet such a large demand and drive the prices low. Which, for the people, is something that is a positive thing to help conserve their money. And besides, organic grown foods can be up to twice as expensive in the grocery store What started out as a scientific achievement has worked its way up to a marketing phenomenon. However not everyone thinks that the GMO era is a safe and healthy thing. They believe that the low prices from the GMO is risking such health risks as obesity (for its addictive qualities), diabetes, stomach ulcers, inflammation, and allergic reaction. The lack of labeling laws prove their contentions. However to date, there have not been any confirmed reports of fatal injuries or death directly linked to the Genetically Modified Organisms in food. But GMOs does not stop at foods, there has been amazing improvements in medical research. GMOs have been able to provide scientists with the ability to vaccinate millions of people with medicine that was previously impossible to have without GMO research. One day scientists hope to be able to use GMOs in enough vaccines and medical techniques to supply the world. Despite the ups and downs of Genetically Modified Organisms and their impact on society, the continuation of their research will remain to cause high amounts of controversy.
Sources: Diaz, Julia M. "GMOs in Medicine and Research." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. Woolsey, GL. "GMO Timeline: A History of Genetically Modified Foods." GMO Inside. Rosebud, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. (Full Article) Dr. Carman, Judy A long term toxicology study on pigs fed a mixed GM diet. Adverse effects of GM crops found. Article: gmojudycarman.org, 11 June 2013. Web. 15 Feb. 2014 Phillips, Camille. "Link or No Link? Controversy Simmers over Allergies and Genetically Modified Food Harvest Public Media." Link or No Link? Controversy Simmers over Allergies and Genetically Modified Food Harvest Public Media. Harvest Public Media, 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2014
"Genetically Modified Foods (Biotech Foods) Pros and Cons." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.