If you're confused about the pros and cons of genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) you're not alone. This relatively new technology is riddled with bioethics
questions, and the arguments for and against GMOs are difficult to weigh
because it's hard to know the risks until something goes wrong.
What is a Genetically Modified Organism or GMO?
The legal definition of a genetically modified organism in the European Union is
"an organism, with the exception of human beings, in which the genetic material
has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural
recombination." It is illegal in the EU to deliberately release a GMO into the
environment, and food items containing more than 1% GMOs must be labeled.
This alteration of the genes usually entails inserting genetic material into an
organism in a laboratory without natural mating, breeding or reproduction.
Instead of breeding two plants or animals together to bring out certain traits in
the offspring, the plant, animal or microbe has DNA from another organism
inserted.
Creating GMOs is one type of genetic engineering.
A transgenic organism is a GMO that contains DNA from another species. A
cisgenic organism is a GMO that contains DNA from a member of the same
species, and is generally regarded as the less risky type of GMO.
GMOs have been used in various ways, including creating mice with certain traits
for the purposes of vivisection, but the GMO debate is centered on food products
for direct human consumption and on feed for livestock.
Am I Eating GMOs?
If you live in United States, you are most likely eating GMOs and/or livestock who
were fed GMOs. Eighty-eight percent of the corn grown in the U.S. has been
genetically modified to be herbicide-resistant and/or insect-resistant.
Ninety-four percent of the soy grown in the U.S. has been genetically modified to
resist herbicides.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding GMOs is labeling. Unlike other
controversial foods like veal, trans fats, MSG or artificial sweeteners, GMO
ingredients in food are rarely, if ever, identified on the label.
GMO opponents advocate a labeling requirement so that consumers can decide
for themselves whether to consume GMO products.
Pros - Arguments For Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMO technology can develop crops with higher yield, with less fertilizer, less
pesticides, and more nutrients.
Traditional breeding can be very slow because it might take several generations
before the desired trait is sufficiently brought out and the offspring must reach
sexual maturity before they can be bred. With GMO technology, the desired

genotype can be created instantly in the current generation.

In some ways, GMO technology is more predictable than traditional breeding, in
which thousands of genes from each parent are transferred randomly to the
offspring. Genetic engineering moves discrete genes or blocks of genes at a time.
GMOs may not be natural, but not everything natural is good for us, and not
everything unnatural is bad for us. Poisonous mushrooms are natural, but we
shouldn't eat them. Washing our food before eating it is not natural, but is
healthier for us.
GMOs have been on the market since 1996, so if all GMOs were an immediate
health threat, we would know it by now.
GMO advocates oppose a labeling requirement because the label would appear
to be a warning.
Cons - Arguments Against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Studies have already shown that GMOs are dangerous to rats. A review of 19
studies in which genetically modified soy and corn were fed to mammals found
that a GMO diet often led to liver and kidney problems. While results on rats may
or may not be relevant to humans, these results show that GMOs may have
unintended effects on wildlife and livestock.
GMOs have not been tested thoroughly. GMO safety tests are sometimes as short
as 90 days, which is not long enough to prove that a substance is safe for longterm, multi-generational human consumption.
GMOs are transferring genes in a much more unpredictable way compared to
natural breeding. One of the built-in safeguards of natural breeding is that a
member of one species will not produce fertile offspring with a member of
another species. With transgenic technology, scientists are transferring genes not
just across species but even across kingdoms, inserting animal genes into
microbes or plants. This produces genotypes that could never exist in nature.
This is far more unpredictable than crossing a Macintosh apple with a Red
Delicious apple.
Genetically modified products contain novel proteins that could trigger allergic
reactions in people who are either allergice to one of the components of the GMO
or in people who are allergic only to the new substance.
Genetically modified plants or animals could interbreed with wild populations,
creating problems such as population explosions or crashes, problems with
corresponding predator or prey species, or offspring with dangerous traits.
Food additives that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) do not have to
undergo rigorous toxicity testing to prove their safety. Instead, their safety is
generally based on published past toxicity studies. The FDA has awarded GRAS
status to 95% of the GMOs that have been submitted.
Even if some GMOs are safe for human consumption, this does not mean that all
GMOs are safe. Each new GMO has its own benefits and risks.
GMOs have led to more herbicides (weed killer) being used. Herbicide-resistant
GMO crops were developed so that the desired crop plants could survive higher
amounts of herbicides to kill weeds.
GMOs will inevitably lead to more monoculture, which is dangerous because it
threatens the biological diversity of our food supply.
GMO opponents and consumer advocates want GMO products to be labeled as

such, so that consumers can choose whether to buy GMOs. Such labels will not
be seen as warnings any more than ingredients lists or nutrition information can
be viewed as warnings.
GMOs and Animal Rights
Animal rights is the belief that animals have an intrinsic value separate from any
value they have to humans, and have a right to be free of human use,
oppression, confinement and exploitation.
On the plus side, GMOs can make agriculture more efficient, thereby reducing our
impact on wildlife and wild habitats.
However, genetically modified organisms raise some specific animal rights
concerns.
On the minus side, GMO technology often involves experimenting on animals.
The animal can be the source of the genetic material, or the recipient of genetic
material. Genetic material from jellyfish and coral has been used to create
genetically modified mice, fish, and rabbits as glowing pets for the novelty pet
trade.
The patenting of genetically modified animals is also a concern to animal rights
activists. Patenting animals treats the animals more like property instead of
sentient, living beings. While animal advocates want animals treated less like
property and more like sentient beings with their own interests, patenting
animals is a step in the opposite direction.
GMOs are also a concern because they are tested on animals.
GMOs and Safety Testing
Under the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, new food additives must be proven
safe. While there are no required tests, the FDA offers Guidelines for Toxicity
Studies that include rodents and non-rodents, usually dogs. Although some
opponents of GMOs are demanding more long-term tests, animal advocates
should refrain from doing so. More tests will mean more animals suffering in
laboratories.
Regardless of whether any government agency requires or prefers animal testing
of GMOs, biotech companies will test their new products on animals to try to
protect themselves from lawsuits.
With all of the controversy around genetically modified (GM) foods, sorting
through huge volumes of information can seem like a daunting task. Many
members of the public are asking questions about GM foods and they are also
raising concerns about the effects these foods may have on their health or the
environment. There are different advantages and disadvantages of GM foods,
although to what extent they can help or harm humans and the environment is a
debatable aspect of this technology.

Benefits Of GM Foods
A proposed benefit of GM foods is that they can potentially produce higher crop
yields, which could help by feeding more people in developing countries. They
are also cited as more economical, despite the initial higher cost of the seeds.
The rationale is that they reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides as well as
reducing the manpower needed to successfully grow the crops, which should
translate into improved financial gains.
Improved food quality is another benefit associated with GM foods. A tomato, for
instance, can be engineered to stay fresher for longer, thereby extending its shelf
life in the supermarket.
Yet another benefit that is believed to occur from GM technology is that crops can
be engineered to withstand weather fluctuations and extremes. This means that
they can provide sufficient yields and quality despite a severe, poor weather
season.
Another benefit is that GM foods
specific nutrient that is lacking
vitamin A rich 'golden rice' is
engineered to have high levels of

can be engineered to have a high content of a

in the diet of a local population group. The
one example of a GM food that has been
a nutrient.

Issues With GM Foods

A worrisome issue in GM foods is the ability of a food to trigger an allergy in
humans. Some of the genes used in GM technology might be taken from a food
that causes allergies in some people. Inserting that gene into another organism
could cause the host organism to express that allergen as a trait. Alternately, a
new allergen could be produced when genes are mixed across different species.
Another potential downside to GM technology is that other organisms in the
ecosystem could be harmed, which would lead to a lower level of biodiversity. By
removing one pest that harms the crop, you could be removing a food source for
an animal. Also, GM crops could prove toxic to an organism in the environment,
leading to reduced numbers or extinction of that organism.
Given that some GM foods are modified using bacteria and viruses, there is a fear
that we will see the emergence of new diseases. The threat to human health is a
worrisome aspect of GM technology and one that has received a great deal of
debate.
Using The Fact Sheet To Make An Informed Choice
There are many other potential benefits and risks to GM foods, which you will
likely learn about as you investigate the topic further and decide whether or not
you want to support or avoid GM foods and related technology.
Reading a brief fact sheet is a good way to familiarise yourself with the purported
benefits and issues related to GM foods. In this way, you can equip yourself with
an overview of the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about GM
foods and how they will affect your life.