Most packaged foods contain genetically modified organisms GMOs engineered to be resistant to herbicides and pests; corn, soybeans and canola oil are prime examples. Polls show that consumers want mandatory labels on foods containing GE ingredients. All living organisms are made up of cells, within which are strings of DNA molecules possessing instructions to make genes, which form a unique blueprint determining how an organism grows, develops, looks and lives.
Genes make up about one percent of the DNA sequence; the rest is responsible for regulating when and how quantities of proteins are made. Genetic engineering GE is the direct manipulation of genetic material or the genome by artificial means to alter the hereditary traits of a cell or organism. The process can involve the transfer of specific traits, or genes, from one organism to another, including across diverse species.
An organism that is created or modified by genetic engineering is called a genetically modified organism. Genetic engineering in agriculture is different from traditional cross-breeding methods, which have been used for millennia. Traditional breeding more closely resembles accelerated evolution: breeders select organisms with a desired trait and then further select and breed whichever of its offspring most exhibits that trait.
A breeder seeking a disease-resistant tomato, for example, will grow many tomatoes, but save the seeds of only the most disease-resistant plants. After several generations, offspring will be much more disease resistant than the progenitor. Traditional breeding is done between the same or closely related species and keeps strands of DNA and gene sequences intact — which can also mean that negative traits are reproduced alongside positive traits.
Through genetic engineering, on the other hand, it is possible to isolate a single gene out of the whole genome and insert it into another organism. This makes the process much more precise and efficient — and inexpensive, making it easier for many more scientists to experiment with the technology.
As it becomes more common, many scientists also urge caution, as unintended consequences, whether at the cellular, human or ecosystem level, cannot be known in advance.
Genetically engineered crops have been adopted at an exceptionally rapid rate. In , 17 percent of US soybean acres were planted with GE varieties; by , that figure rose to 94 percent.
GE cotton usage went from 10 percent in to 91 percent in GE corn acreage increased from 25 percent in to 92 in The vast majority of these crops have been engineered to tolerate herbicides, allowing the plants to be sprayed with a particular chemical while the surrounding weeds die.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most common. We still have a lot to learn about the possible benefits as well as the dangers of GMOs. Doug Gurian-Sherman is a senior scientist in the Food and Environment Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit science advocacy group. After boosting unproven covid drugs and campaigning against vaccines, Steve Kirsch was abandoned by his team of scientific advisers—and left out of a job.
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Keep Reading. The next generation of Scott farmers. All the farmers I spoke with said they are starting to see pests that are resistant to the advantages conferred by genetic engineering. Nonetheless, many told me that farmers they know are turning back to non-GM seeds, because they might make more money that way.
He makes so much more with organics, and the organic market is growing so quickly that, sooner or later, other farmers are going to cash in on the opportunity. Input costs for GMO farming just keep rising — seed costs, pesticide costs. Economic sustainability in this case. So why do farmers buy GM seeds?
Basically, GMOs make things easier. Instead of rushing to spray herbicide in the busy spring planting season before the soybean sprout, they can wait until things calm down. That means one farmer can do more in less time. A farmer could make a lot of money by simply planting GM corn every year and spraying liberally with glyphosate.
On the other hand, a responsible farmer can use GM traits sparingly as a tool for land stewardship. We aim to inspire more people to talk about climate change and to believe that meaningful change is not only possible but happening right now.
Our in-depth approach to solutions-based journalism takes time and proactive planning, which is why Grist depends on reader support. Help us further advance our reporting by giving us the stable, reliable funding we need. Consider becoming a monthly member to ensure this vital work continues and thrives. For starters, many GMO crops have been genetically modified to express a gene that protects them against pests and insects. For example, the Bt gene is commonly genetically engineered into crops like corn, cotton, and soybeans.
It comes from a naturally occurring bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiensis. This gene produces a protein that is toxic to several pests and insects, which gives the GMO plants a natural resistance.
Other GMO crops have been modified with genes that help them survive stressful conditions, such as droughts, and resist diseases like blights, resulting in a higher yield for farmers 9 , 10 , Together, these factors help lower the costs for the farmers and consumers because it allows a greater crop yield and growth through harsher conditions.
Additionally, genetic modification can increase the nutritional value of foods. For example, rice high in beta carotene, also called golden rice, was developed to help prevent blindness in regions where local diets are chronically deficient in vitamin A Moreover, genetic modification may be used simply to enhance the flavor and appearance of foods, such as the non-browning apple In addition, current research suggests that GMO foods are safe for consumption GMO foods are easier and less costly for farmers to grow, which makes them cheaper for the consumer.
Although current research suggests that GMO foods are safe, there is some concern around their long-term safety and environmental impact This is because GMO foods contain foreign genes, so some people worry that they harbor genes from foods that may prompt an allergic reaction. A study from the mids found that adding a protein from Brazil nuts to GMO soybeans could trigger an allergic reaction in people sensitive to Brazil nuts. However, after scientists discovered this, they quickly abandoned this GMO food Although allergy concerns are valid, there have been no reports of allergic reactions to GMO foods currently on the market.
In addition, research has shown that GMO foods are no likelier to trigger allergies than their non-GMO counterparts This worry may stem partly from an early mice study, which linked GMO intake to a higher risk of tumors and early death.
However, this study was later retracted because it was poorly designed 18 , 19 , Most GMO crops are resistant to herbicides, such as Roundup.
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