Running Head: GMO foods begging future & end LR
GMO foods begging future & end: A Review of Literature
Diana Olivas
The University of Texas at El Paso
Summer 2014
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Abstract
The following literature review focuses on GMOs; it will be discussing the topics of
importance around GMO. This will include what GMOs are and what corporations are
producing them. Also it will discuss its impact and agriculture and farmers. GMOs are a
topic of high controversy that affects all countries around the world. Different policies on
how to deal with GMOs are in place and there are policy’s that also needs to be put in place
to regulate the ever adopting GMO. GMOs are ever evolving and human and natures are
greatly affected by them this also leads to many social implications surrounding GMOs. A
review of literature will lean in on all this four areas of topic over GMOs.
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Introduction
Genetically modified organisms or most commonly referred to as GMOs: A review of
the literature surrounding the history controversies and future of GMOs. GMOs are
controversial because not much is known about GMOs. There isn’t enough research to know
how GMOs will affect the environment animals and humans. A GMO can be found in almost
every life form on earth from a virus to a mammal and everything else in between. GMOs
capability to be found everywhere on earth has caused all countries from industrial to
developing to want to get involved with GMOs, from making GMOs to establishing various
legislations to deal with the GMO infestation. GMOs also cause concern over who controls
GMOs and if those in control of GMOs will control the food market.
GMOs are quickly becoming a main part of nutrition taking over the feed market and
are putting typical farming methods near extinction. GMOs don’t seem to be going
anywhere; therefore questions about GMOs are inevitable. The typical argument surrounding
GMO is that of GMOs are good or GMOs are bad. There are many questions about GMOs
but in order to stay focused only four questions are going to be answered. The questions of
main importance are:
1. Who, when, how and why where GMOs made?
2. How do GMOs compare to real food?
3. What are the overall effects/social implications of GMOs?
4. What legislation is there on GMOs?
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The following review of literature will provide information on what GMOs are, whos
involved with GMOs and how GMOs compare to real food. Also it will discuss the social
implications and policy that there are or are being discussed on GMOs.
Defining GMOs
People have been genetically modifying organisms since the invention of agriculture
through artificial selection. Artificial selection is a process that involves breeding plants or
animals with the same desired trait to get the wanted recessive trait to be dominant in the
desired species (Green, 2013). Since a GMO stands for genetically modified organism does
that mean it’s the same as an organism that has evolved through natural selection? The
answer is no, as described by Holst-Jensen (2011) , “A genetically modified organism
(GMO) is a living organism whose genetic material has been altered by mean of gene
technology” (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012). How exactly dose this happen? An
interview was conducted with Professor Micheal Moody regarding the formation of GMOs.
The following questions and responses were provided: Question 1: “How are GMOs made?”
Response 1:“The short answer is a gene from one organism is spliced into the DNA of
anther. In plants this is done into a single plant cell culture that is then grown into a whole
plant. The gene insert is made using agrobacteria or sometimes now with a gene gun”
(Olivas, 2014). The way the agrobacteria is used to make GMOs is scientist get the bacteria
and changes its trait to better sought the purpose intended for the new GMO. The
agrobacteria is then inserted to a normal regular plant and fingers crossed it accepts the new
genetic material to form a new GMO plant (Green, 2013). The other method involving gene
guns is done by inserting little bits of gold particles coated with the wanted DNA into a plant
to then produce a GMO with the wanted trait (Green, 2013).
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Like with any new technology the United States is first to lead, GMOs can be found almost
everywhere in the United States. In 1983 Biotech Company Monsanto reached success with
an Antibiotic Resistant gene being successfully inserted into a tobacco plant. The point of
this experiment was only to prove that genes from different toxicology levels on the tree of
life can be crossed (Green, 2013). Then in 1984 the FDA approved the first GMO food, the
Flavor Savor Tomato to be used and consumed by consumers (Green, 2013).Corporations
like Monsanto Pioneer and J.R Simplot co. went on to create more GMO products targeting
Farmers. An interview was conducted with Professor Michael Moody regarding who’s
involved with GMOs. The following questions and responses were provided: Question 1:
Who’s involved with GMOs? Response 1: The primary producer of GMOs for farmers and
agriculture of the three is Monsanto (Olivas, 2014). Monsanto in the early 1990s developed
roundup ready crops. The crops included are sugar beets, corn, cotton, and soybeans (Green,
2013).The roundup ready crops are unique due to the fact that roundup ready crops are
herbicide resistant. Massive commercialization of biotech or genetically modified crops
started to take place in 1996 ((Broeders, De Keersmaecker, & Roosens, 2012). Since 1996 a
94-fold increase has been observed from 1.7 million hectares to 160 million hectares in 2011,
making GMOs the fastest adopted technology in the history of modern agriculture (Broeders,
De Keersmaecker, & Roosens, 2012).GMOs can also been inserted into animals. An example
would be Monsanto’s rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), a genetically produced
growth hormone for injection into dairy cows used to force them to produce more milk
(Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012). Another country that has good involvement with
GMOs in the countries agriculture is India. BT cotton has been adopted by over 90% of
Indian farmers making it all the rage in India. Not too far behind are Chinas farmers with
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China Bt cotton farms accounting for 80% of the countries cotton manufacturing (KLOOR,
2014). Whenever the abbreviation Bt stands in front of a GMO crop it stands for bacillus
thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacterium in soil that has insecticide properties (KLOOR,
2014). Due to the fact that GMOs are a big contributor to agriculture every country in the
world has some involvement. An example would be Monsanto working with New Zealand to
create more lethal tree plantations (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012). Some countries
are involved with GMOs simply because they have banned them. The likes of these countries
include Canada, the European Union, and Australia (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy,
2012). GMOs also attract the involvement of environmentalists and documentarians like
Vanda Shiva from Huffington post an Michal X. Even Prince Charles has showed an interest
in GMOs (KLOOR, 2014) GMOs begging future and end demand the involvement of all
living organisms.
Real Food vs. GMO foods
How do GM foods compare to natural foods? The biotech industry says that GMO
foods are healthier better tasting and longer lasting than ordinary food. The biotech industry
first tried to sell a GM vegetable called the Flavor Savor Tomato claiming that the GM
tomato was better tasting and longer lasting than regular tomatoes (Green, 2013). The GM
tomato failed to live up to the biotech industry hype it tasted worse and rotted faster than
regular tomatoes (Marc, 2014). J.R Simplot Co. is working on a potato that will eliminate
black spot bruising and reduce the formation of acrylamide a naturally occurring chemical
found in regular potatoes that has been identified as a potential carcinogenic that is created
when potatoes are cooked at high temperature (Marc, 2014). A more common GM food the
soybean made by Pioneer is said to soon replace the unhealthy hydrogenated oils used to fry
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and keep crackers from going stale (Marc,2014).Most GMO foods come from commodity
crops like feed corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar beets, alfalfa, and canola. According to an
article in Pakenstain Journal by Khan, Muafia, Nasreen& Salariy, “The industry’s marketing
pitch to the public is that bioengineered seeds and plants will help the environment by
reducing toxic herbicide/pesticide use” (72, 2012). The difference between GM crops and
regular crops is that GM crops are roundup ready crops. Roundup ready crops produce an
enzyme that is unaffected glyphosate, the reason this is important is because glyphosate is a
chemical found in pesticides that is harmful to regular crops and can cause regular crops to
die (Green, 2014).In an interview done with professor Michal Moody at The University of
Texas at El Paso, When asked, How do GMOs affect/differ from regular plants? His
response was as follows, “Hybridization can occur between GM plants and wild weeds of the
same species. We can also then have resistance to herbicide evolve in crop weeds. GM plants
carrying pesticide can also cause problems as pollen carrying the pesticide can kill
pollinations of the native plants surrounding GM crops.”(Olivas, 2014) Animal products can
contain GMOs as well, cows injected with rBGH produce more milk, but the milk produced
is of less quality than regular milk. This is due to the fact that the cows injected with rBGH
get more bladder infection which leads to the cows needing more antibiotics then the end
result is traces of antibiotics being found in the milk. (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy,
2012) GM foods are altered to be super plants or super animals resistant to the common old
problems of regular organisms.
The overall effects/social implications of GMOs
GM pollen is carried by wind, rain, birds, and bees, insects, fungi, bacteria the entire
chain of life becomes involved causing waves of controversy all over the place. GMOs are
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getting attention from agriculture medical and food scientist as well as the government. The
reason is due to an increasing concern that the recombinant genes may result in unforeseen
effect along with potential benefits that may poses hazards as well (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen &
Salariy, 2012). Due to the unknowns of GMOs Genna Reed a researcher with Food and
Water Watch made a statement which is as follows, “Humans should not have to serve as the
guinea pigs for this technology” (Marc, 2014). Haven Baker, the vice president and general
manager of Simplot has said, “Eliminating “black spot bruise “from potatoes will help curb
food waste thus saving consumers money” (Marc, 2014) A recent epidemic in Georgia and
North Carolina has linked bugs to attacking bioengineered plants specifically plants that were
sprayed with Bt spray and destroying the harvest, this lead to less crops produced by farmers
leading to higher prices for consumers (Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012). Other GM
products like rBGH offered a boom in milk production for dairy farmers that would seem to
lead for more profit for the farmers instead it lead to inflation of milk and dairy products
(Khan, Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012). So far the only ones experiencing any benefits
from GE crops are the few massive corporations like Monsanto, Pioneer, and Simplot. GMO
making corporations are controlling the food system at every step and seeing large profit
margin (Marc, 2014). If food production is monopolized the future of that supply becomes
dependent on the position of stock holders and the companies producing them (Khan,
Muafia, Nasreen & Salariy, 2012).This could lead as a new way of controlling governments
from various countries by making them agree to unusual false or endangering ideas just in
order for the countries of the weaker government to have access to food for their citizens.
Also anther social problem with GMOs is that not every country wants GMOs. Unfortunately
for the countries that don’t want GMOs that is not an option. UGM or unidentified
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genetically modified organisms have been found in countries that have banned GMOs
(Broeders, De Keersmaecker, & Roosens, 2012). Perhaps the biggest social implication that
has come out of the controversy of GMOs happened recently in October 2013. During this
month of Halloween a series of synchronized events took place protesting GMOs; it was
called the March against Monsanto. All over the world people were protesting the St. Luis
based company Monsanto a pioneer in GMO research and production (KLOOR, 2014). The
documentary that could be to blame for the events was called “Bitter Seeds”, it took place in
India and documented the 250000 farmer suicides that have taken place due to the failure of
Bt crops (KLOOR, 2014). GMOs were produced to help solve the problem of world hunger,
the question remains have GMOs solved the issue or can GMOs solve such a big case? An
interview was conducted with Professor Michael Moody regarding GMOs and world hunger.
The following questions and responses were provided: Question 1: “Are GMOs the answer
to solving world hunger?:” Response 1: “Probably not. They may temporarily lead to higher
production, but there are limits to this. If GMOs can be produced for lower yield and higher
nutrient content this may again help but not solve world hunger. As Norman Barlaugh said of
the green revolution this will also provide a “breathing space in which to deal with the
Population Monster”, but not ne a permanent fix”(Olivas,2014).
Policy and GMOs
Legislation involving GMOs communalization varies from country to country, but
some issues still remain common. The assessments for GMOS in any state are done case by
case basis (Vigani, &Olper, 2013). The basic approval for a GMO is for the GMO to meet
the basic condition to permit its introduction in the domestic market for cultivation and/or
consumption. Without approval it is not possible to introduce the GM product into the
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country (Vigani, &Olper, 2013).There are two main approval process according to an article
by Vigani,&Olper, “the European Union approach on the “precautionary principle” and the
United States attitude of “substantial equivalence””. The precautionary principle states that
any product produced with, or derived from transgenic crops is subject to specific regulations
and the consumers “right to know” (Vigani,&Olper,2013). While the substantial equivalence
exempts essentially equivalent products from any specific requirements
(Vigani,&Olper,2013). Approval of GMOs is also dependent on a positive risk assessment
which consist the analysis of potential harmful effects of the new organism on humans
animals and the environment (Vigani,&Olper,2013). An international assessment that is
slowly gaining importance is that of a Biosafety assessment, but discussions and bargaining
are still in progress (Vigani,&Olper,2013). When it comes to the labeling of GMOs rich
countries producing GMOs are more programmatic and less costly about labeling policies.
There are two main international agreements when it comes to the way to handle GMOs, the
Codex Alimintarius and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The purpose is for the
international standards to protect consumers health and promote fair relationship in trade
practices(Vigani,&Olper,2013). While the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety introduced a
procedure for risk assesment and risk management of livening modified organisms it also
was intended to help developing countries adopt policy with policy over GMOs
(Vigani,&Olper,2013). The reason why policies are needed for GMOs is to first and foremost
ensure human safety and the second reason is to protect the environment (Khan, Muafia,
Nasreen & Salariy, 2012).
Conclusion
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In conclusion GMOs were made to be better more efficient than regular foods. An
interview was conducted with Professor Michal Moody regarding the statement about GMOs
being better than regular food. The following questions and responses were provided:
Question 1: The United States has failed to follow the trend of banding GMOs is this because
GMOs are as healthy or even more beneficial to human health as regular food? Response 1:
Most GMOs are not more healthy or less. Most GM plants are produced to be resistant to
herbicides. The herbicides are produced primarily by Monsanto. Crops can then be readily
spread by pesticides to kill crop weeds not effecting the crop itself. The primary purpose
thus far has been to produce more efficient crops not “healthier” crops. There is some
progress in adding genes for pesticide resistance and increases levels of some vitamins in
plants (Olivas, 2014). Since the research isn’t complete when it comes to GMOs there is
always going to be unknown consequences that lead to social implications that will result in
the need for new policies regarding GMO standards. Figure1 represents a graph that briefly
summarizes all the points in this literature review.
GMO foods begging future & end LR
Figure 1:
(Tree, GMO?)
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References:
Broeders, S. M., De Keersmaecker, S. J., & Roosens, N. C. (2012). How to Deal with the
Upcoming Challenges in
GMO Detection in Food and Feed. Journal Of
Biomedicine & Biotechnology, 20121-11. doi:10.1155/2012/402418
Green, H. (Performer) (2013). The science of genetically modified food [Web]. Retrieved
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUzVm-zpyR8
Khan, S. J., Muafia, S., Nasreen, Z., & Salariy, A. M. (2012). Genetically modified
organisms (gmos): Food security or threat to. 64(2), 6-11. Retrieved from http://0web.b.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&sid=c0b16523-4f5d-44f5b4d4834e02a72abe@sessionmgr113&hid=108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY
29wZT1zaXRl
KLOOR, K. (2014). The GMO- Suicide Myth. Issues In Science & Technology, 30(2), 6570.
Marc, G. (2014, June 10). Gmo 2.0: genetically modified foods with added health benefits.
The Guardian. Retrieved
from GMO 2.0: genetically modified foods with added
health benefits
Olivas, D. (2014) Email Interview. Unpublished Raw Data, the University of Texas at El
Paso
Tree, H. (Designer). GMO? [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from www.seedsnow.com1200 ×
908Search by image
Vigani, M., & Olper, A. (2013). GMO standards, endogenous policy and the market for
information. Food Policy, 4332-43. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.08.001
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