If you live in the United States, approximately two thirds of your groceries could contain the products of genetic engineering (GE), also called genetically modified organisms (GMO). This may surprise you, but whether it should concern you is an area of hot debate.
Genes are the chemical code that determines specific traits of all living things, from single-cell organisms to human beings. Genes make up DNA, the cell-level master plan that determines how living things will develop.
People have engineered foods for centuries through traditional plant breeding, when two plants are crossbred to create hybrid strains containing favorable traits from both of the original plants. The end result may be a prettier, more flavorful or hardier plant. The crossbred plants traditionally had to be similar, apples and pears, for example.
Genetic engineering is quite a different science. Genes from all biological things (bacteria, virus, plants, insects, animals, including humans) can be injected into other species. The hope being new, more desirable traits are obtained from that plant or animal gene. At this time, there are no plants approved for market with animal genes inserted. Currently, most GE crops have been bred with bacteria or virus for insect tolerance and herbicide tolerance.
The first transgenic animal could soon be available as the FDA is currently reviewing an application to market gene-altered salmon that grow much faster than normal.
Current crops approved for GE include canola (rapeseed), radicchio, corn, cotton, flax, papaya, potatoes, soybeans, squash, sugar beet and tomatoes. The most widely grown GE crops, accounting for approximately 97% of GE crops in North America, are soy, corn, cotton and canola (rapeseed).
Proponents of genetic engineered foods say it’s a way to boost food supply, reduce pesticide/herbicide use and possibly breed super-foods with exceptional nutritional profiles. World hunger can be remedied by producing crops that are more stable and possibly more nutritious.
Opponents say no one really knows the long-term effects of complex genetic manipulation and the potential dangers to humans and the environment could be substantial. Concerns include hidden allergens, the unintentional breeding of “superweeds”, and considerations for people who choose not to eat animal for moral or religious reasons. Also, the fact that once these foods enter the ecological system, there’s no taking them back and their effects will be life long.
Golden Rice is a new rice engineered to produce beta-carotene, a nutrient the body converts to vitamin A. The hope is that it will help feed malnourished people in third world countries. A recent article in The New York Times, however, states that an 11 year old boy would have to eat 15 pounds of cooked Golden Rice a day to meet his daily vitamin A requirement.
StarLink, a genetically engineered corn approved only for animal consumption, recently made headlines when it was found in taco shells in the retail market. Recalls and buybacks removed significant amounts of StarLink corn from the food supply but some still remained. In a different story, corn seed about to be sold to farmers for this year’s crop was found to be contaminated by small amounts of Starlink. The contamination does not pose any immediate health threat as none of the seed has been planted.
Currently there are no labeling laws required on GE foods. The FDA feels labels are unnecessary until there’s proof GE foods are less safe or of different nutritional value than traditional foods. Surveys report substantially different findings on whether people want to know if GE ingredients are in their food. Opponents feel at the very least labeling should be required so people can make an informed choice if they want to consume these foods.