Taryn Slepicoff

English 113b

Professor Reynolds

9 May 2012

Hidden Dangers

            Although Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have made their way into the food supply, questions are still around about the effects they have on people and the environment.  “GMOs have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This science allows DNA material from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in Nature or result from traditional crossbreeding methods” (Priesnitz).    Much of the focus has been directed towards food items to increase crop yield, shelf life, and insect resistance (Priesnitz).  While GMOs have helped to increase food supply, consumers should be aware of what is going into their bodies, and at this point in time they do not have that information available to them.  For example, organic food is clearly labeled in the supermarkets, but do you really know what you are eating that may contain altered genetic information?  Interestingly, research on GMO side effects has only been done on rats and none on humans (Peterson).  That kind of information is not widely known and may be alarming to some people.   Information should be available to consumers about products they are purchasing that have been genetically modified. 

            GMOs are in more foods than you might think.  Sandy Bauers with the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that “Ninety percent of the corn, canola, soybeans and sugar beets grown in the United States today have been fiddled with.”  According to Sylvia Hubbard almost 70% of items in the grocery store have a genetically engineered component (Hubbard).   The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for, among other things, ensuring the public’s health by evaluating the safety of our food (About FDA).  However, the FDA’s position on GMOs is very limited.  The agency requires labeling only if there is major difference in nutrition, if it contains a protein that can create an allergy or if the food exceeds toxicity guidelines (P. Bryne).  Although consumers can clearly read fat content, calories, and other important information on a food label; you will not see any information telling you whether it contains a GMO or not.  Typically when a new product is developed for the market it goes through animal and human testing.  In the case of GMOs it apparently is not required to do experiments with humans.  In October of 2005, the National Association for Genetic Security sponsored an independent test by Russian Doctor Irina Ermakova to test the effects of GMOs on rats.  “Over half of the rats born to mothers who ate GM-soy (55-56%) were dead in three weeks, as opposed to a 9% mortality rate in rats whose mothers ate normal soy. "The morphology and biochemical structures of rats are very similar to those of humans, and this makes the results we obtained very disturbing," said Ermakova to NAGS press office” (Peterson).  That is pretty alarming information that customers should have access to.  If that is the effect on rats, what impact could that make on humans?  Although no confirmed cases have been documented, there are fears that GMOs are using proteins that cause allergies and alter plant toxicity, which may have affects on the people consuming them (Peterson).  “About 40 to 50 countries around the world have mandatory labeling for genetically engineered foods, including many European countries, Japan, Korea, and China” (NGOs Plot).  In addition to impacts on humans, there is a cost to other organisms and the environment. 

            In 1997, a German farmer, Gottfried Glockner, determined that feeding his cows genetically modified corn harmed cow milk production, poisoned farmland, and even led to cow deaths.  The corn had been modified with Bacillus thuringiensis, a gene that kills the predatory insects of the corn (Peterson).  Another study involving the Bt toxin with soy found that the genes were identified in the DNA of bacteria located in human’s stomachs.  They discovered that the transferred DNA, which started out in the soy bean, is active in the intestinal bacteria (GMOs Create).  Gilles-Eric Seralini, a French molecular biologist, published the results of a study involving Monsanto’s genetically modified corn which was approved for sale in Canada, Europe and the Untied States.  The results "clearly underlines adverse impacts on kidneys and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, as well as different levels of damages to heart, adrenal glands, spleen, and haematopoietic system" (Preisnitz).  Fields planted with GMOs can possibly infiltrate other nearby crops.  Seeds can be carried by the wind, insects, birds, and other animals and lead to cross-pollination, impacting unintended fields.  “In 1996, there were approximately 6,563 square miles of farmland in the world devoted to GMO crops. In 2006, there were 393,828 square miles devoted to GMO crops. This is a 5900% increase in land devoted to GMO crops in a 10-year period! At this rate, the amount of GM crops will double in the next ten years, not including cross-pollination factors” (Peterson).  Since such limited information is available about the side effects of genetically modified organism, concerns have been voiced about antibiotic resistance, and decreased nutritional value.  As the controversy continues it has even found its way into the political discussions. 

            According to a 2010 poll by Reuters Thompson, more than 90 percent of Americans wanted genetically modified foods to be labeled.  It was also part of President Obama’s platform to make knowledge available to consumers when our foods contain GMOs (Philpott).  However, not everyone is in agreement on sharing GMO information.  Opponents to labeling believe it is costly, they don’t believe that the health issue exists, and that consumers have an option to buy organic if they are that concerned (P. Bryne).  Clearly since the public is not educated enough about the personal and environmental impacts of GMOs, they are not aware of the risks they are taking.  According to recent estimates world population is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050.  Proponents of GMOs argue that developing genetically modified foods are critical part of feeding the growing population (Hubbard).  There should be an educated balance between wanting to feed everyone and making sure it is a safe option by identifying where GMOs are being used. 

            Genetically modified organisms have been created to help feed a hungry world by companies looking to make a profit from selling the altered crop or product.  Exploring the side effects on humans and the environment should be a priority as products are developed and prepared for market.  Not many people are aware that GMOs exist, or that they may be including them in their diet.  As with anything people buy, they have a right to know what they are purchasing and the consequences it may have on them.  People are educated on the effects of smoking, healthy eating during pregnancy, and the dangers of harming the environment, but not on how food they eat might present risks to their health.  The Food and Drug Administration should be taking a more active role in educating the public about what is going into their bodies and regulating companies that manufacture GMOs.  This would help bridge the gap between feeding the world and food safety.

Works Cited

"About FDA." What Does FDA Do? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.fda.gov/aboutfda/transparency/basics/ucm194877.htm>.

"GMOs Create Insect Resistance Problems." Africa News Service 8 Apr. 2012. General OneFile. Web. 26 Apr. 2012.

"GMO: Harmful Effects." Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/gm/harmful.html>.

Hubbard, Sylvia B. "Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?" Health, Fitness and Medical Advice. News Max Health, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/genetically_modified_food/2010/01/15/308880.html>.

"Labeling foods: Industry, consumers dispute requiring information on genetic altering." Philadelphia Inquirer [Philadelphia, PA] 27 Feb. 2012. General OneFile. Web. 8 May 2012.

"NGOs Plot to Block New GMO Laws." Africa News Service 25 Aug. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 26 Apr. 2012.

P. Bryne. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." Colorado State University Extension. 29 Aug. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html>.

Peterson, Barbara H. "Genetically Modified Organisms A Dangerous Experiment." Genetically Modified Organisms A Dangerous Experiment. Natural News, 14 May 2008. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.naturalnews.com/023238_organic_GMO_food.html>.

Philpott, Tom. "Will Barack Obama Break His GM Food Labelling Promise?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 06 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/06/barack-obama-gm-food-labelling>.

Priesnitz, Wendy. "Ask Natural Life: answers to reader questions about sustainable, healthy family living: the problem with GMOs." Natural Life Sept.-Oct. 2011: 5+. General OneFile. Web. 8 May 2012.

Annotated Bibliography

"About FDA." What Does FDA Do? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

I was wondering what the Food and Drug Administration’s job was and on the FDA website it gave a list.  Their job is to make sure the food humans are consuming are healthy for us and are properly labeled to let us know what we are consuming.  They also have the responsibility to protect people from electronic radiation, making sure cosmetics and dietary additives are safe and properly labeled.  They are also in charge of regulating tobacco, and giving out accurate science-based information to the public, so everyone knows what’s going on. 

"GMOs Create Insect Resistance Problems." Africa News Service 8 Apr. 2012. General OneFile. Web. 26 Apr. 2012.

This article talked about how GMOs are allowing insects to pick up resistance to some of the genes put into the food.  There was a study done on soy beans, and they discovered that the bacteria in human’s stomachs are taking the gene.  The DNA that is being transferred over to the bacteria is still able to function.  GMOs contain a Bt toxin, which increases the toxicity of the food.  Because we are using so many chemicals to keep food good longer, and to increase the yield of crops, this is causing the pests to gain a resistance to the chemicals.  This leads to more chemical use.  For example, a “…study found that in 2008, GM crops required 26 percent more pounds of pesticides per acre than acres planted with conventional varieties; it is projected that this trend will continue.”  

"GMO: Harmful Effects." Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

This website gives a lot of general information on GMOs.  It also talks about some of the possible effects that come from GMOs.  They argue that GMOs can cause an increase in food allergies.  An increase in toxicity is another possible effect caused by GMOs.  It says that all plants contain toxic substances and that GMOs might be enhancing them to where they can become a problem to humans.  Another effect is a decrease in nutritional value.  An example is, “…a study showing that a strain of genetically modified soybean produced lower levels of phytoestrogen compounds, believed to protect against heart disease and cancer, than traditional soybeans.”  The last thing that the website mentioned was antibiotic resistance.  The big concern is the bacteria living in humans stomachs that will pick up an antibiotic resistance gene from the plant before the plant is completely digested.

"History of GMOS." American RadioWorks. American Public Media, 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.

This website gives a time line on genetically modified food.  It starts from the prehistoric times and goes up to 2000.  Genetic engineering started in prehistoric times up until the 1900s, and starting in 1953 was when modern genetic engineering started.  It started with two scientists who discovered the double helix of DNA.  In 2000, “International Biosafety Protocol is approved by 130 countries at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal, Canada. The protocol agrees upon labeling of genetically engineered crops, but still needs to be ratified by 50 nations before it goes into effect.

Hubbard, Sylvia B. "Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?" Health, Fitness and Medical Advice. News Max Health, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

News Max Health published an article, called “Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?”  They start off by talking about what a genetically modified organism is, and how a lot of consumers don’t know what food contains them.  “A CBS poll found that 53 percent of Americans wouldn't buy food they knew had been genetically modified.”  This statistic clearly shows that no one knows about them, or else something would have been done.  It talks about a study done on rats and how there was a great difference in the rats that were given GM food to eat and the rats that were given Non-GM food.  People against GMOs are worried about new diseases, cancer, new allergies, the effects on the environment, and a higher toxicity level in food.  People who are for GMOs, argue that it increases the yield of food being produced, the food will last longer, and it has an overall higher nutritional value.  Then it gives some steps on how to avoid getting GM food. 

Network, Tom Philpott for Mother Jones, Part of the Guardian Environment. "Will Barack Obama Break His GM Food Labelling Promise?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 06 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

This article is about the activities that have recently been happening towards labeling GMOs.  It reminds us how during President Obama’s campaign, he promised to label all food items containing GMOs because, “…Americans have a right to know what they're buying.”  It also says that a pro-labeling movement has started and that they are also sent in a petition to the FDA.  The FDA says that they aren’t allowed to label GMOs unless there is a known difference between GMOs and Non-GMOs.

"News & Views." What's the Problem with Labeling Genetically-Modified (GM/GMO) Foods? Monsanto, 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.

The article talks about how some people want GMOs labeled, because everyone has a right to know what is going into their bodies and want to know if they are consuming GMOs.  Some people don’t believe there is a difference and labeling would be a waste of time.  It mentions that the FDA doesn’t require biotech food to be labeled from the rest of the food.  “Requiring labeling for ingredients that don’t pose a health issue would undermine both our labeling laws and consumer confidence.”  It claims that labeling GMOs would put a huge weight on the shoulders of regulatory agencies.  The article gives some reasons as to why labeling GMOs would be beneficial, for example, if people decide not to eat GM food then they can easily distinguish between the two types of food.

"NGOs Plot to Block New GMO Laws." Africa News Service 25 Aug. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 26 Apr. 2012.

This article brings up the issue of labeling GMOs and what countries have banned the use of them.  Some places like, Kenya, require food to be labeled if there are signs of GMOs in 5% of the food.  They mention how genetically modified organisms are created in laboratories and they help out with the problem of pests and have traits that help them survive longer.  A bacterium that is injected into food is Bacillus thuringiensis.  They say that Monsanto was making farmers buy new seeds every season instead of keeping their old ones.  America is one of the countries to allow GMOs and has nothing against it.  “The crops were commercially grown in 29 countries last year, says Dr Margaret Karembu, Africa's head of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, an industry body.”

P. Bryne. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." Colorado State University Extension. 29 Aug. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

In “Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods,” they talk about the recent regulations on labeling and why the FDA isn’t approving labeling.  They list a bunch of pro and cons on labeling.  For example, they argue that there is no difference between GM food and Non- GM food and it would require too much money to label.  The pro-labeling people argue that everyone has a right to one what they are consuming.  This article says, “Although mandatory labeling of GE ingredients may appear to be a straightforward measure, there are several complex issues that need resolving prior to implementation.” 

Peterson, Barbara H. "Genetically Modified Organisms A Dangerous Experiment." Genetically Modified Organisms A Dangerous Experiment. Natural News, 14 May 2008. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

This article on NaturalNews.com talks about a German scientist who was in charge of studying potatoes that had a genetically modified gene in them.  He did an experiment involving rats and the GM food and realized the rat’s organs were damaged and their immune system was weakened.  When he reported his findings he was accused of not knowing what he was doing and he was forced to leave.  This research has only been done on rats and not humans.  Another topic that is mentioned is how GMOs are affecting the food supply.  GMOs are affecting fields of crops around them due to cross-pollination, which cannot be controlled in the outside environment.  It also talks about organic food.  Something that bothered me was, “Even foods labeled "organic" are allowed a percentage of GMO contamination.”  It says that organic companies don’t want to go through the trouble or cost of testing their food to see if it contains GMOs.