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Is genetically modifying the food we eat safe or dangerous?
For many centuries, people have been altering the plants and animals that we eat. In the past, this was done through selective breeding. For example, if farmers wanted to create corn that was resistant to a certain type of disease, they would look at their crops as they grew and then only use the seeds from the corn that didn't develop the disease. By doing this for many years, farmers could create a type of corn that was highly resistant to the disease.
In recent decades, however, scientists have been using a new process to alter the food we eat: genetic engineering. This technique, which has been used to produce food for sale since the mid-1990s, allows scientists to insert specific genes into plants, rather than waiting for the plants to change over time. Using genetic engineering, scientists have created crops that are resistant to diseases, stay fresh for longer and create more food.
The most common form of genetic manipulation is herbicide resistance, which can be seen in the use of Roundup — a product created by the world's largest genetically modified (GM) seed producer, Monsanto. Farmers use herbicides to kill unwanted plants. This used to be a difficult process, however, as farmers would have to be careful not to harm their crops while eliminating the plants they didn't want.
To solve this problem, Monsanto modified seeds genetically to create plants that are not affected by Roundup. By using these seeds, farmers can spray Roundup over all of their fields and not harm their crops.
Over the past decade, GM crops have become widely used around the world. The U.S. leads the world in the use of GM crops. Last year, 95 percent of sugar beets, 94 percent of soybeans and 90 percent of cotton in the U.S. were produced using GM crops.
But while genetically modified crops have brought benefits, they have also led to widespread protests. Critics say genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can lead to serious health conditions, harm the environment and are "unnatural." Some experts claim that the long-term effects of using GM crops are unclear, as it is very difficult to predict how these plants will impact our environment.
Recently, protesters rallied in dozens of cities as part of a global protest against Monsanto and the GM food it produces. Organizers said "March Against Monsanto" protests were held in 52 countries and 436 cities, with demonstrators waving signs with slogans such as "Real Food 4 Real People."
The March Against Monsanto movement began just a few months ago, when founder Tami Canal created a Facebook page on Feb. 28 calling for a rally against the company's practices. "It was inspiring to see so many people from different walks of life come together," Canal said. The group plans to harness the success of the event to continue its anti-GMO cause. "Monsanto is poisoning our children, poisoning our planet," she said. "If we don't act, who's going to?"
One problem that many people have with GM food is that it doesn't have to be labeled as such. Health advocates say that people deserve the right to be able to choose whether they want to buy GM food or not, even if many scientists and governments say that it is safe.
Despite the concerns, it seems that the use of genetic engineering is only going to increase. A salmon species genetically engineered to grow faster seems likely to be approved for use this year. The use of the genetically engineered salmon "is a major defining moment: Genetically engineered animals are a whole different thing, and to not have them labeled is disturbing," said Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union in New York.
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