For those who don’t know, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are food products that have been chemically manipulated. Through genetic engineering in labs, gene splices are altered to create different strains of food with a variety of qualities that are beneficial to their growth. Corn is a big example of this. About 85 percent of the corn grown in the United States is genetically modified. The type of modification the vegetable contains helps it become resistant to an herbicide, which is used to kill weeds. Another example is the golden delicious and granny smith apple. Scientists have been able to deactivate a gene that causes browning, so as a result, the apples will be able to last longer.

There are many other beneficial characteristics that can be brought forward by genetic modification. Many corporations claim they are working on ending world hunger through these products. For example, Golden Rice is a food that is enhanced with vitamin A. It can be produced and eaten in third world countries that are vitamin deficient. Food is also being created to withstand dry and salty environments, therefore providing to populations who haven’t been able to succeed in agriculture. The GMO techniques might even be able to be used towards creating alternative sources for oil in the future. Plants are the most renewable resource, and oil has the possibility of becoming renewable too.

So, after reading about all the benefits of genetically modified organisms, what’s the problem with them and why is there so much controversy?

For starters, there hasn’t been a single study on human safety of these products. There have been a few negative impacts already evident in other organisms. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) is a naturally occurring bacterium that can be found in most natural soil samples. Organic farmers use it as an insect spray. When BT exists outside the plant, it is broken down by the sun and is known to be harmful to humans. If we splice it into corn, the BT corn will produce enough pesticide to make it deadly toxic to insects, which is currently occurring and killing organisms, such as monarch butterflies. The concern with this is, what is the effect on humans if it’s doing this much to the insects? Another issue is that while many insects are getting killed from the BT corn, others will develop a resistance rapidly because the insecticide is present in the whole plant all the time. So as a result, there will still be pests even if the amount of BT increases. Another issue is that plants containing BT insecticide will decay in the soil and continue to release BT into the soil. This will interfere with microorganisms that are key in maintaining soil fertility. There are many unknowns when it comes to plants containing insecticides.

GMO products are also causing a downfall in the farming industry. In 2000, 109.2 million acres of genetically engineered crops were grown worldwide. 99 percent was grown in the U.S, Argentina, Canada and China. The U.S devoted almost 75 million acres of farmland for genetically engineered crops. Most farmland is being turned over to large-scale factory farms, where huge pieces of land are dedicated to one crop. This means that the number of American family farmers is decreasing as they are struggling to keep up. Those farmers who have managed to keep their farms are experiencing difficulties as well. They sell their crops at high, organic prices. The issue with having so many large industry farms surrounding smaller farms is that the GMO products can contaminate the organic crops.

The government and big businesses have almost all of the control in this situation of GMO products, and no matter how many scientists give clear warnings, if they are receiving profit, the genetically modified foods can still be found on supermarket shelves.

Since genetically modified organisms have come into the light, they have always been a controversy. On one hand, they are seen as beneficial and full of potential to improve the world. On the other, they are mysterious and possibly very harmful. Eventually and hopefully soon, the large companies that are pushing these products forward will also put time and effort into testing them to see if they’re actually worth it. In the meantime, we will continue on the road of consuming GMO’s and will hopefully never experience any negative long term effects. For now they seem to be doing their job in providing for our needs.