GMOs: Solution or Problem

What is a GMO?

A GMO or Genetically Modified Organism is an organism (plant, bacteria, animal or virus) whose genetic makeup has been modified for a particular purpose (PUB). This modification is not spontaneous, so with this kind of genetic alterations we can get, for example, that a plant protect itself against insect pests modifying to carry an additional gene found in another living thing (such as a bacteria).

The term GMOs is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. Is a really controversial topic nowadays, because of the huge demand of food that we have, the strict standards of quality that consumers have in terms of food and the lack of knowledge in long term of this modified organisms (Prakash, 2005).

The GMOs were supposed to be the solution for huge problems around the world, for instance, the poverty, hunger and the unfair distribution of food. However, afterwords they have converted in another way to give more profits to some companies and continue with the unsustainable system. Furthermore, GMOs have been inserted very fast in the markets without enough research about future consequences of them consumption. We are not sure about the damages in our health and in our environment that modified organism could make.

Advantages of GMOs

• More food with less land

GMOs increase crop yields and promote efficient land use. Food production uses a significant quantity of land natural resources, but according to biotechnology companies with GMOs will improve the livelihood of farmer around the world (Cummins, 2o1o).

• Reduce of pesticides

Use of transgenic plants increases yields and decreases the need for pesticide use, preventing the ecological damage.

• Better food quality and taste

With this biotechnological model food could be improved and search for the best quality standards and tastes to put into the products.

Disadvantages of GMOs

• Unfair distribution of them

Biotechnology is not an issue of poor countries. The research and investigations that are behind GMOs are just focus on develop countries of the world, with the needs of developed countries in mind (GMF). They could be focus on support the climate changes in Africa, for instance, contributing to improve the food security in one of the most hunger regions of the world. This might be done in the future, but it has not been done yet.

• Unknown health effects

Unknown health consequences are a common objection to transgenic organisms. Although numerous studies found that GM crops have passed existing safety reviews and they concluded that GMOs are not harmful to human health (Academic review, AFNZA), further studies are needer to support this claim (Randerson, 2008).

Another problem is allergic reactions. Genetical modifications often mixes or adds proteins that weren’t indigenous to the original plant, causing new allergic reactions to the human body, according to Brown University (Kantor, 2010).

• Long term ecological impacts

Cross pollination with the wild type of GM species may lead to genetic contamination of the wild type, which could affect local ecosystems (Cherry, 2010).

5 Myths about GMOs (Antoniou et all, 2012)

1) Myth: Genetic engineering is just an extension of natural breeding.

Truth: Genetic engineering is different from natural breeding and poses special risk.

2) Myth: GM is just another form of mutation breeding and is nothing to worry about.

Truth: Mutation breeding its own problems and should be strictly regulated.

3) Myth: GM foods are strictly regulated for safety.

Truth: GM food regulation in most countries varies from non-existent to weak.

4) Myth: GM foods are safe to eat.

Truth: Studies show that GM foods can be toxic or allergenic.

5) Myth: GM foods have been proven safe for human consumption.

Truth: The few studies that have been conducted on humans show problems.

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GMOs and Nigeria

So much controversy has been generated over the adoption of genetically modified foods in Nigeria. The United States has been giving genetically modified foods to developing countries like Nigeria to help alleviate the problem of hunger and poverty in this countries. However, the issue of long term effects of GMOs on human populace and the ecosystem in general also needs to be adressed and properly researched to reveal and prevent any posible risk that may be associated with the consumption of GMOs (Subulade et all, 2007).

Since GMO has found its way into Nigeria, there is need for caution. According to a report by the Centre for Food Safety, Nigeria still accepts GMOs as food aids, an the only condition for the importation is that the genetically modified food aid be milled. Nowadays there is no law governing the production of food products by companies using genetically modified ingredients. There are many challenges ahead for the government, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation and internal polices.

Conclusions

With this post, I would like to transmit an objective idea about GMO. There is to much research to make, before we eat them. As a consumers, we have all the rights to know how kind of damages could produce in our organism these products and in our environment as well.

GMOs could be a definitive tool to mitigate hunger and poverty in the world, or just another way to destroy and corrupt it. We have research lots of useful arms to fight against inequality and to develop a sustainable world, but the last step is to use these arms correctly and it is in our hands do it well or not.

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”

Mahatma Gandhi

REFERENCES

• Antoniou, M., Robinson, C., Fagan, J. 2012, “GMO Myths and Truths. An evidence-based examination of the claims made for the safety and efficacy of Genetically Modified Crops” EARTHOPENSOURCE.
• Cherry B. 2010, “GM Crops Increase Herbicide Use in the United States” Institute of Science and Technology.
• Cummins, R. 2010, “Monsanto´s poison pills for Haiti” The Huffington Post.
• Kantor, K. 2010, “GMO´s Pros and Cons” Brown University
• Prakash, C. S. 2005, “Benefits of Biotechnology in Developing Countries. AgBioWorld.
• Randerson, J. 2008, “Arpad Pusztai: Biological Divide. Guardion.co.uk.
• Subulade A., Adekunle A., Olajumoke A., 2007, “Genetically Modified Foods in Nigeria” PUCPR.
• Whitman, D. 2000, “Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful” Discovery Guides CSA.

Comments Off on GMOs: Solution or Problem / 27 Feb 2014 por guillermojoselatorre
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