Elisa Pekkola For decades, the GMO technology has helped scientists to meet the modern human’s needs and to find answers to some of the most critical issues in the world. So, what does GMO stand for? GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. In practice, a wanted gene, for example drought-resistance, is manually inserted into the DNA of an existing organism to create a new species. In fact, GM-technology can be considered as an advanced form of breeding. PICTURE 1. GMO corn in Yellow Springs, Ohio. (Photo: Lindsay Eyink, 2013. Wikimedia Commons) One of the first products created by genetical engineering was Insulin, a pharmaceutical used to regulate blood sugar levels of people with diabetes. This happened in 1982 and after this many life-changing GMO’s have been invented. A good example of this would be the vitamin A-enriched golden rice, which was created to prevent blindness in children in the developing countries. This technology that has helped many people, and even saved lives, is the same that is being harshly judged. Nowadays GM-foods and -crops are widely used, especially in the U.S. There over 90% of all the soybeans planted are herbicide-tolerant. In 2017, the percentages of planted acres of genetically modified corn, soybeans and cotton has reached over 75%, which means that the vast majority of these crops are GMOs. PICTURE 2. Anti-GMO activism. (Photo: Pixabay free images)
The phenomenon is globally spread, although it has not gained popularity everywhere. GMOs are grown in 28 countries, but some nations are cautious about new GMOs. In the EU countries have had the right to ban or restrict GMO cultivation from 2015. This is not a terrible thing, since it is important to be careful when it comes to health and environmental risks. However, prejudice that is based on rumours and assumptions can be harmful. Many believe that GMOs are not safe to eat but do not search for scientific proof for this. They believe allegations of other people that their illnesses are caused by GM-foods when actually, the safety of many GMOs has been scientifically proved. National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine published a report on genetically engineered crops in 2016 and it was one of the largest studies done on this field. It concluded that there is no clear evidence that non-GMO-crops would be safer than GMO-crops. A major question in the future will be how to feed the growing population sustainably. This means that patches need to yield more crops without land overuse. Also, climate change brings additional challenge to agriculture with changing weather conditions. So, it is needless to say that all methods have to be taken into account in finding the answers. As an EU study stated: “Undeniably GM technology is an important tool in the fight against global poverty and food insecurity.”. This is a statement that should encourage every anti-GMO-activists to read the research and start opening their eyes for the possibilities of genetical engineering. Resources: Alliance for Science. 2016. Cornell University. GMO safety debate is over. Released on 23.5.2016. Read on 19.11.2017. https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/mark-lynas/gmo-safety-debate-over Science Literary Project. 2016. Where are GMOs grown and banned? Released on 2016. Read on 19.11.2017. https://gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/where-are-gmos-grown-and-banned/ Science in the News. 2017. Harvard Graduate School of the Arts and Sciences. From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology. Released on 9.8.2015. Read on 19.11.2017. http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/from-corgis-to-corn-a-brief-look-at-the-long-history-of-gmo-technology/ European Commission. 2010. European Commissions monthly magazine Research*eu. A decade of EU-funded GMO research. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Food Evolution. 2016. Documentary (USA) |
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May 2019
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