Highly controversial, even inflammatory, GM foods are a part of our lives today. Advocates tout their many benefits, while antagonists argue that they have been introduced too fast and may prove to be an ecological and health disaster. Both sides have strong arguments to support their case. Because GM foods affect all of us, it is important to know about them - both the pros and the cons.
What are GM Foods?
"GM" is an acronym meaning "genetically modified." Unlike cross-breeding and cross-pollination, which produce new and altered species naturally, genetically modified foods are created by altering the genetic make-up of a species in ways that cannot occur in nature. Gene technology is used to remove or add specific genes to plants or animals in order to achieve desired results.
GM Foods: The Pros
Advocates of GM foods say they have the potential of offering higher crop yields; reducing the need for herbicides and pesticides; improving the nutritional value of foods; making crops more drought and frost resistant and much more. Researchers even foresee the possibility of producing medicinal foods. A few potentially beneficial GM foods yet to be introduced to the market include:
- Allergen-free peanuts and other crops.
- Frost-resistant strawberries.
- Bananas that have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
GM proponents point out that GM crops such as soy beans and corn have been on the market for 15 years and no ill-effects have been identified.
GM Foods: The Cons
An Argentinean study raised the alarm about GM soy crops in that country. Since their introduction, the incidence of birth defects had increased dramatically in areas of Argentina where GM soy beans were grown. The study authors argued that the glysophate herbicide resistant crops had led to increased use of the herbicide to kill weeds and in turn, the herbicide was responsible for the increases in birth defects and other diseases.
The Argentinian researchers went on to raise other questions about GM crops. Their approval by governmental authorities is based on assumptions that they have not been "substantially" altered and therefore must be as safe as their naturally occurring counterparts. However, detractors say that these assumptions have not been proven true and are based on the testimony of the multinational corporations who profit from their patented GM seeds. Professor Andrés Carrasco, author of the Argentinean study results, echoed the sentiments of others who are concerned about GM foods when he wrote, "the process is imprecise and can cause widespread mutations that can disrupt the functioning of hundreds of genes, leading to unpredictable and potentially harmful effects."
Other arguments against GM food crops include their potential to:
- Cross-breed with other plants and produce "super weeds" that would require even greater use of chemical herbicides.
- Threaten the natural biodiversity of nature.
- Lead to the development of pesticide-resistant insects.
The most contentious issue surrounding GM foods is the fact that the seeds used to grow them are patented. Unlike naturally occurring seeds, which cannot be owned by a single individual or corporation, GM seeds are owned by the few corporations that create them. Many people fear that these companies will ultimately have a monopoly on our essential food supplies.
GM Foods in Australia
GM foods are required by law to be labelled as such in Australia and New Zealand. However, there are exceptions and exemptions to the rule. According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), foods are deemed genetically modified "if novel DNA and/or novel protein from an approved GM variety is present in the final food." If "novel" DNA or protein is not present, the food does not necessarily have to be labelled as "GM." Moreover, independent studies of GM foods are rarely undertaken in Australia.
Only time will tell if those who are against GM foods are unduly alarmist or those who advocate them are overly optimistic. In the meantime, we as consumers still have choices we can make. GM-free foods are available for those who want them and information is available that gives us the opportunity to make informed choices. As the adage says, "knowledge is power." Armed with information, both for and against GM foods, we can make informed decisions and act on them.
