GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS & FOODS: HOW BAD CAN THEY REALLY BE?
Despite efforts to regulate genetically modified crops, regulation is often not strongly enforced or particularly effective. For example, some states in Brazil recognized the dangers and risks of genetically modified crops and have banned them completely, and the Brazilian Institute for the Defense of Consumers and Greenpeace filed a lawsuit to stop the importation of genetically modified crops. However, many farmers who were concerned for their economic health and the competition in the global market evaded the ban by smuggling genetically modified seeds into the country.[27] In Japan, testing of genetically modified foods is not mandatory. In the United States, three government agencies control genetically modified foods: the Environmental Protection Agency assesses genetically modified plants for environmental safety, the United States Department of Agriculture assesses whether they are safe to grow, and the Food and Drug Administration assesses whether they are safe to eat.[28] The current FDA policy, which was formed in 1992, says that agricultural biotechnology companies can ask the FDA for a consultation, but companies that are working to produce new genetically modified foods are not required to consult or follow the FDA's recommendation if they do ask for a consultation.[29] Consumer interest groups want this process to be required, so that the FDA must approve genetically modified food products before they are released for commercialization to ensure the products are safe to eat. However, FDA does not have enough resources, money, or time to do studies of every proposed genetically modified food product,[30] which means consumers can buy products that are not safe to eat and risk their health without even knowing it.
Not only are genetically modified foods on sale not necessarily safe to eat, they are not all labeled as genetically modified to inform consumers.[31] If consumers knew products were genetically modified or contained genetically modified ingredients, they may choose to not eat these products; however, since they are not ill-informed, this option is taken away from them and consumers may inadvertently expose themselves to genetically modified foods that may cause adverse health effects. Consumers have the right to know what they are eating. Labeling genetically modified foods is a costly process as factories and farmers must be able to keep genetically modified crops form mixing with non-genetically modified crops during planting, harvesting, shipping, and production.[32] The European Commission established 1% as an acceptable limit of GM contamination in non-GM products, but consumer interest groups are pushing for 0%. However, we do not have the technology to detect such minute quantities of contamination, so creating products with 0% contamination may not be possible and there is much debate between researchers over what level of contamination is detectable and acceptable. Just because we currently cannot say what the exact consequences of genetically modified crops are does not mean that we should support the use of them because we also cannot say for certain that using them is 100% safe. Modern biotechnology is a relatively new process that has grown tremendously in the past two decades and there is no knowing what may result from our interference with nature and how long lasting and disastrous the consequences may be. We already see Bt corn can possibly affect non-target insect species and ecosystems; if we continue to grow and incorporate genetically modified crops into our food, we may cause unintentional harm to many species. Genetically modified crops seems to cause just as many problems as it tries to solve and though supporters of genetically modified foods preach genetically modified foods will especially help feed developing countries, the benefits of biotechnology tend to help developed countries due to patents and the cost of transporting the foods to market. While many of the dangers of genetically modified crops are uncertain to be true, it is unwise to take the chance because should these dangers exist, we would compromise the health of millions of humans and organisms and the environment and the effects may be irreversible. As with many other environmental issues, preventive measures are much more effective in the long run than corrective measures. |