GM food Principle, PROs & CONs

Introduction What is GM food? Genetically modified (GM) food is food produced from any crop or animal that has been genetically altered during its production using the modern techniques of gene technology. Modifications usually involve changing one gene of the 30,000 — 50,000 odd genes that make up an organism. For example, GM corn in the United States has been genetically modified to protect it from insect pests by adding a gene, which comes from a common soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). GM food is a double-edged sword, it brings us both potential benefits and hazards and has caused controversy in the recent years.

Principle Genetic engineering (GE) is used to take genes and segments of DNA from one species, e.g. fish, and put them into another species, e.g. tomato.GE provides a set of techniques to cut DNA either randomly or at a number of specific sites. Once isolated one can study the different segments of DNA, multiply them up and splice them (stick them) next to any other DNA of another cell or organism. GE makes it possible to break through the species barrier and to shuffle information between completely unrelated species. The food made by genetic engineering is called GM food.

Potential benefits The benefits of GM food can be viewed from different viewpoints, namely, for crops, animals, environment, society, etc. Crops 1   Enhanced taste and quality 2   Reduced maturation time 3   Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance 4   Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides 5   New products and growing techniques

Animals 1  Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency 2   Better yields of meat, eggs, and milk 3   Improved animal health and diagnostic methods ‧Environment 1  Conservation of soil, water, and energy 2   Bioprocessing for forestry products 3   Better natural waste management 4   More efficient processing Society 1 Increased food security for growing populations

Examples: Fruits and vegetables with higher vitamin and antioxidant contents to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer Horticultural products with enhanced flavors, texture and shelf-life Rice with higher levels of iron Oils with improved fat balance to protect against heart disease and cancer Milk and other animal products with healthier fat content Lower levels of allergens in some common foods

Potential hazards There are many benefits of GM food. However, as mentioned before, GM food is a double-edged sword, it imposes many potential threats to us besides benefits. Safety 1   Potential human health impact: 1.1 allergens 1.2 transfer of antibiotic resistance markers 1.3 unknown effects Potential environmental impact: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms (e.g., soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity

Access and Intellectual Property 1   Domination of world food production by a few  companies 2   Increasing dependence on Industralized nations by developing countries 3   Biopiracy—foreign exploitation of natural resources Ethics 1   Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values 2  Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species 3   Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa 4   Stress for animal Labeling 1   Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., United States) 2   Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts Society 1   New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries

Conclusion Far and away, since GM food brings us both advantages and disadvantages, it is difficult to decide if GM food technology should be developed. However, as a consumer, it is important and is of our basic right to know whether the food we buy and eat is genetic modified or not and choose to buy the food or not to choose. The issue will remain controversial in the near future.