The innovation of genetically modified seeds thrives on the idea of it being the food of the future. We’re expected to “double our food supply” according to Dr. Robert Fraley a chief technology officer at Monsanto, and their solution involves planting genetically modified seeds around the world (qtd. In Langford). The two main planted crops in the world are soy and corn and Monsanto’s ambition is to plant enhanced versions of this plant that are modified to have resistance against the chemical Glyphosate. Though such modification is proven to boost crop production, Monsanto has set to benefit from their biotech innovation. As Monsanto’s GM [Genetically Modified] seeds are planted around the world, their RoundUp product is implemented throughout acres of GM soy and corn fields.
But according to The New York Times, the World Health Organization [W.H.O] has classified the main chemical in RoundUp (Glyphosate) as a “possible” carcinogenic to humans. As stated by Dr. John McLaughlin a member of the international agency for research on cancer, “there’s more evidence that accumulates over time… classifying anything as a carcinogenic is a major red flag”. The product not only has sparked controversy but according to certain Paraguayan farmers, (qtd. In Langford) Monsanto’s GM seeds and RoundUp glyphosate have managed to create glyphosate resistant weeds and superbugs. As harmful as it sounds, the most worrisome fact has been the duplication of genes in our two most planted crops in the world (soy and corn). This in effect can lead the world’s food supply vulnerable to a new disease which can wipe out all the GM crops due to their duplicate genetic build up. Farmers are prohibited by Monsanto from using seeds from the year prior which would allow for genetic diversity, and are forced instead to purchase new seeds. Therefore 90% of the world’s soy and corn GM crops are susceptible to a single virus which can lead to a world wide famine.
As society is outraged by the world wide use of GMO’s, Vandana Shiva has taken a stand in fighting against the worldwide spread of GM food and agriculture. As a long standing activist, Shiva has fought the against problems that have damaged our home planet, such as the deforestation of himalayan trees, and she solely believe that organic agriculture can feed the world. Being from India, a country which is strongly against GMOs, Shiva has taken the fight around the world, stating “evidence” to support her theory that GMOs and the chemical Glyphosate have great damage toward our health. Shiva states “If you look at the graph of the growth of G.M.O.s, the growth of application of glyphosate and autism, it’s literally a one-to-one correspondence. And you could make that graph for kidney failure, you could make that graph for diabetes, you could make that graph even for Alzheimer’s”. Though Shiva has made a strong argument against the use of Glyphosate and GMOs, her evidence has no factual evidence and is solely based on one research paper (qtd. In Specter). Shiva’s ambition on fighting GMOs has given her a nomination for a nobel prize, as she dedicates her life in preserving humanities traditional agricultural ways of growing the world’s food. Her effort is recognized by organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization (W.H.O), World Bank and surprisingly the United States Government.
We as the human race have prevailed throughout history building innovations that revolutionized our existence. Living in the golden age of technology and innovations, we are faced with a new challenging innovation in which we assure would feed our vastly growing population. The modification of the genetics of our foods and various organisms has set us apart from being more than just species living by what nature has given us, onto a self-dependent species. Although GMO’s are the future of our food, many individuals look upon it as a burden and an inevitable catastrophe. It is certain to say that, research would determine the fate of GMO’s and how we cultivate our food for our future.
