GMO's an uncertain future

GMO’s: An Uncertain Future

The average citizen of any country would likely struggle to explain the pro’s, con’s and even the simplest aspects of genetically modified organisms (GMO). But who could blame us? So few people can gain a true understanding of how to alter food or even medicine at such a microscopic level to have such significant outcomes that changes the basic nature of a living item. I blindly trust that scientists, who research, promote and implement GMO’s into daily practices such as farming and pharmaceutical companies. Many people do. For most of my life I have been exposed to GMO’s and until doing research I didn’t know they existed. I will try and clarify the purpose of GMO’s then discuss the negative response to them, but finally I will argue why GMO’s are an integral part of solving a world hunger problem.

What I learned is genetic material from one species can be inserted into the genetic make up of another organism (Lecture 12). The purpose of doing this is to create an organism that can withstand certain environment it would otherwise perish in, add micro-nutrimental value to the make up of the organism. There is a long list of benefits, but for every positive affect of GMO’s there are strong opponents to their use.

 Consumers argue that there needs to be a more transparent application of GMO’s. According to the Institute of Responsible Technology, modified products are not labeled, and the FDA does not mandate lab studies. This scares consumers who actively want to avoid such products. Another argument is that using GMO’s is an unnatural application of food growth. Messing with genes is like playing God. Robert Sternberg explained that humans are comfortable with what is familiar; once experiment is involved there is a struggle to understand what occurred creating fear (Konnikova). Other consumers fear GMO’s because they find there is a legitimate health risk in consuming them. When GMO’s are implemented in poor African countries a different argument about crop specialization, and sovereignty over ones own crops leads to further distrust in GMO’s. A last argument is that seeds cannot be simply reproduced, but instead need to be bought from the lab each planting season.

 These arguments are all fair reasons to distrust the future of farming, but in reality GMO’s are what will save farming and create a greater yield of food to feed a greater population of people. In Africa, droughts frequently stunt food growth on farms, but there is a complex, but realistic solution to overcome this natural restraint and it includes GMO’s. Florida is known for its amazing fields of Orange trees, but when natural bacteria kills off thousands of trees and limits the yield of oranges, the only way to fight the bacteria was through pesticides. Pesticides could contaminate the remaining Oranges, but using GMO’s there was a tolerance to the pesticides and Americans were able to enjoy Orange juice throughout the entire 2013 winter (Harmon). Apply this to Africa where a larger portion of the population does not eat a substantial amount. GMO’s can be a legitimate savior to consumers who rely on farms to yield enough crops. The seeds created in factories can withstand droughts and travel longer without decay. In states with limited infrastructure, crops might not be able to make the trip to isolated villages without going bad. However, with GMO’s the crops survive making it to a hungry group of people. Mass crop production using modified seeds will feed a starving nation.


Undoubtedly there will be backlash anytime only a few companies provide a powerful service, especially when they do not face strict government regulation. Perhaps there should be more publicly funded studies that go into the use of GMO’s, but as a student who hasn’t studied biology in seven years, I will trust the scientists that dedicate their lives to creating a remarkable product. Frankly I do not even care if the food is labeled, because if they labeled it, I still would not understand what went into my food. All I know is that I drank plenty of glasses of orang juice last winter and without GMO’s that would not have been possible. If the science can combat natures cruel tricks, then I have no problem supporting even further implementation of the usage of GMO’s. Konnikova, Maria The Psychology of Distrusting GMO’s. The New Yorker, August 8, 2013. Accessed on October 23, 2014


http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-psychology-of-distrusting-g-m-o-s Institute for Responsible Technology, 10 reasons to avoid GMOs, (2008-2014) http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs Harmon, Amy A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA. The New York Times, July 27, 2013. Accessed October 23, 2014.