Reflective blog assignment

GMOs: The Great Debate

Laura Meyers

May 25, 2019

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been a topic of great debate and controversy since its inception in 1953. In the article “Genetically Modified Foods: Overview”, Parent and Onweida (2018) discuss the history of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their impact on society. Parent and Onweida (2018) first begin with discussing how genetically modified (GM) food is created; the DNA of the food is manipulated to create a desirable product that is resistant to pests, drought, or other factors that impact the growth or longevity of the food. Beginning in 1973 with the insertion of the first gene, the research into gene modification has flourished; by the mid-1980s and into the 1990s, the introduction of these modifications yielded such foods as GM corn, soy, canola and cotton (Parent & Onweida, 2018)(Figure 1).

Furthermore, with the introduction of GMOs, farmers were not reliant on traditional pest-control practices, and by the mid 2000s, millions of hectares of GM crops were being grown internationally. In Canada alone, a large portion of crop production is heavily reliant on GM crops, and with its introduction came the need to create awareness. In addition, attempts to introduce a bill for labelling GM products made its way to the Parliament, but was defeated. Advocacy groups still remain prominent in the nation, but the push to label GM products continues to be one of great controversy (Parent & Onweida, 2018). Finally, Parent and Onweida (2018) discuss the implications of the introduction of this new biotechnology; they outline the legal issues that have developed due to patenting seeds and privatization of the industry. Thee attempts to control GM seed dispersion introduced the need to “terminator seeds” which possess chemicals that sterilize second generation seeds. The controversy of using chemicals in this process has many nations evaluating the growth of GMOs and reintroduced the idea of labelling products as many Canadians feel the government has not provided sufficient information on GM food and would prefer these products be labelled (Parent & Onweida, 2018).

Figure 1: Genetically modified corn. (Genetic Literacy Project, 2018).

As the development and production of new GMOs continues, there is a need to understand the ramifications. In the article, “The Next Generation of GMOs”, Dana Perls (2017) presents the need to understand what happens when GMOs are grown and consumed. Perls (2017) first identifies that the creation of new GMOs is being sensationalized such that they are being touted as solutions to pollution and hunger; what isn’t being discusses is the increase in toxic herbicide uses and carcinogens. Perls (2017) stipulates that there is a great need to understand the “health, environmental and social-justice effects” (p. 17) of GMOs. Furthermore, many of the products that are being consumed are not being fully assessed, regulated or labelled; as well, some of the addititives used to make foods appealing are known allergens. Other products are being labelled as being natural when in fact they are synthetically made (Perls, 217). Finally, Perls (2017) claims the next steps the food system makes will have a ripple effect on the future production and regulation of GMOs.

Before reading these two articles, I had already heard of GMOs and their negative impact on the environment through various mediums, including newspaper and magazine articles, word-of-mouth, news broadcasts, and documentaries. What I was surprised to find out was that only North and South America were continuing with GMO creation without reflecting upon past practices; other nations are evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of such practices (Parent & Onweida, 2018). Why is North America so focused on the rapid development of GMOs when it is one of the most influential continents in the world? Is it for financial gain or monopolization of the industry on an international level?

After having read these two articles, it is clear that the impact GMOs has on society are much more than the general public is made aware of. I was surprised to learn that the labelling of GM products is not regulated and that Canada doesn’t have any policies regarding it. Parent and Onweida (2018) indicated that in a 2012 British Columbia survey, “78 percent of respondents were in favor of making GM food labelling mandatory” (p. 1); it is amazing that with such a large majority of the province demanding labelling of GM product, the government has not responded quickly. After some research, I found an interesting video on why it may be meaningless to label GMOs (Global News, 2019).

Figure 2: GMO foods: Why it's 'meaningless' to label genetically-modified organisms (Global News, 2019)

In addition to labelling GM foods, I also found it interesting to learn more of the reasons behind GMO creation. There appears to be an abundance of anti-GMO literature available to the public; however, the benefits of GMOs appears to be masked or hidden (Figure 2). Perls (2018) briefly identifies the need for GMOs to help eliminate pollution and feed starving populations; however, there isn’t much discussion in either article. I feel compelled to read more into the benefits of GMOs before I can take a stance on the issue.

Figure 3: Say no to GMOs mini sticker (Peacemonger, 2019)

For more information on Canadian regulations, click on the following links:

· Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: Canada

· Canadian Biotechnology Action Network – Regulation and Policy

· Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Labelling of Genetically Engineered Foods in Canada Factsheet

· Government of Canada – Frequently Asked questions: Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Foods

Finally, the last insight I have on these two articles relates to the long-term health and economic impact of GMOs on society. I can’t help but wonder how the human body is being affected by the introduction GMOs and the abundance of these products on the market. Perls (2017) alludes to the creation of more problems than solutions with the introduction and lack of safety assessment of GMOs. Parent and Onweida (2018) discuss the legalities of seeds blown into adjacent farmers fields and the lawsuits that have been won by Monsanto. If large corporations are able to sue small business farmers for what is a natural effect of wind dispersion, what will become of these businesses and what will become of the industry if it becomes solely reliant on just a few corporations?

Overall, I learned that the food that I eat most likely contains GMOs and that these foods are not properly labelled or tested. I also learned that while GMOs have a benefit in society, there are several environmental, health, and economic effects that are not known or not well-advertised to the general public. I believe it is important to further research this topic and educate the public on the implications of GMO production and consumption.

References

Genetic Literacy Project. (2018, September 17). Genetically modified corn [image]. Retrieved from https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/09/07/new-studies-questioning-safety-of-gmo-corn-contain-serious-flaws-experts-say/

Global News. (2019, April 11). GMO foods: Why it's 'meaningless' to label genetically-modified organisms [YouTube video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlVnEY_1CSU#action=share

Parent, T. & Onweida, A. (2018, June 1). Genetically modified food: Overview. Canadian Points of View: Genetically Modified Food, 1. Retrieved from http://ra.ocls.ca/ra/login.aspx?inst=confederation&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=p3h&AN=28674946&lang=en-ca&site=pov-can&scope=site

Peacemonger. (2019). Say no to GMOs mini sticker [image]. Retrieved from https://peacemonger.org/MS234--Say-No-to-GMOs-Mini-Sticker_p_3608.html

Perls, D. (2017, October 30). The next generation of GMOs. Nation, 305(11), 17. Retrieved from http://ra.ocls.ca/ra/login.aspx?inst=confederation&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=125604865&site=ehost-live&scope=site