Genetic Engineering and Food

Kevin Boyle

Journalism and Mass Communications

Introduction:

We as consumers, people who unknowingly eat genetically altered food should have an understanding of what exactly is going into our bodies. Many people argue the pros and cons of creating scientifically "improved" food ,but we can't be certain what this food will do to the crops, surrounding area, wildlife, and most importantly the people who eat it. I choose this topic because of a report I heard on the radio which dealt with "super" tomatoes. These were tomatoes that were genetically altered and therefore could produce larger than average crops and also extend the growing season. This sounds productive and harmless, but can we as humans play God and alter the DNA and structure of our own food?

What is genetic Engineering ?

Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms.

DNA is the blueprint for the individuality of an organism. The organism relies upon the information stored in its DNA for the management of every biochemical process. The life, growth and unique features of the organism depend on its DNA. The segments of DNA which have been associated with specific features or functions of an organism are called genes.

Molecular biologists have discovered many enzymes which change the structure of DNA in living organisms. Some of these enzymes can cut and join strands of DNA. Using such enzymes, scientists learned to cut specific genes from DNA and to build customized DNA using these genes. They also learned about vectors, strands of DNA such as viruses, which can infect a cell and insert themselves into its DNA. With this knowledge, scientists started to build vectors which incorporated genes of their choosing and used the new vectors to insert these genes into the DNA of living organisms. Genetic engineers believe they can improve the foods we eat by doing this. For example, tomatoes are sensitive to frost. This shortens their growing season. Fish, on the other hand, survive in very cold water. Scientists identified a particular gene which enables a flounder to resist cold and used the technology of genetic engineering to insert this 'anti-freeze' gene into a tomato. This makes it possible to extend the growing season of the tomato.

*For more information click here*

What are the dangers involved?

Problems associated with genetic engineering

Imprecise Technology—A genetic engineer moves genes from one organism to another. A gene can be cut precisely from the DNA of an organism, but the insertion into the DNA of the target organism is basically random. As a consequence, there is a risk that it may disrupt the functioning of other genes essential to the life of that organism.	Side Effects—Genetic engineering is like performing heart surgery with a shovel. Scientists do not yet understand living systems completely enough to perform DNA surgery without creating mutations which could be harmful to the environment and our health. They are experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full knowledge of the repercussions.
Widespread Crop Failure—Genetic engineers intend to profit by patenting genetically engineered seeds. This means that, when a farmer plants genetically engineered seeds, all the seeds have identical genetic structure. As a result, if a fungus, a virus, or a pest develops which can attack this particular crop, there could be widespread crop failure.	Threatens Our Entire Food Supply—Insects, birds, and wind can carry genetically altered seeds into neighboring fields and beyond. Pollen from transgenic plants can cross-pollinate with genetically natural crops and wild relatives. All crops, organic and non-organic, are vulnerable to contamination from cross-pollination.

Potential Health Hazards

No Long-Term Safety Testing—Genetic engineering uses material from organisms that have never been part of the human food supply to change the fundamental nature of the food we eat. Without long-term testing no one knows if these foods are safe.	Toxins—Genetic engineering can cause unexpected mutations in an organism, which can create new and higher levels of toxins in foods. Allergic Reactions—Genetic engineering can also produce unforeseen and unknown allergens in foods.
Decreased Nutritional Value—Transgenic foods may mislead consumers with counterfeit freshness. A luscious-looking, bright red genetically engineered tomato could be several weeks old and of little nutritional worth.	Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria—Genetic engineers use antibiotic-resistance genes to mark genetically engineered cells. This means that genetically engineered crops contain genes which confer resistance to antibiotics. These genes may be picked up by bacteria which may infect us.
Problems Cannot Be Traced—Without labels, our public health agencies are powerless to trace problems of any kind back to their source. The potential for tragedy is staggering.	Side Effects can Kill—37 people died, 1500 were partially paralyzed, and 5000 more were temporarily disabled by a syndrome that was finally linked to tryptophan made by genetically-engineered bacteria.

Potential Environmental Hazards

Increased use of Herbicides—Scientists estimate that plants genetically engineered to be herbicide-resistant will greatly increase the amount of herbicide use. Farmers, knowing that their crops can tolerate the herbicides, will use them more liberally.	More Pesticides—GE crops often manufacture their own pesticides and may be classified as pesticides by the EPA. This strategy will put more pesticides into our food and fields than ever before.
Ecology may be damaged—The influence of a genetically engineered organism on the food chain may damage the local ecology. The new organism may compete successfully with wild relatives, causing unforeseen changes in the environment.	Gene Pollution Cannot Be Cleaned Up— Once genetically engineered organisms, bacteria and viruses are released into the environment it is impossible to contain or recall them. Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, negative effects are irreversible.

Information: Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops Why We Need A Global Moratorium by Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association

What can you do?

Campaign Goals: As the anti-GE campaign in Europe has shown, mass grassroots action is the key to stopping this technology and moving agriculture in an organic and sustainable direction. The OCA advocates the following Food Agenda 2000-2010 as the foundation for our local-to-global campaign work:

A Global Moratorium on all Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops. These products have not been proven safe for human health and the environment and they must be taken off the market.
Stop Factory Farming. Begin the phase-out of industrial agriculture and factory farming-with a goal of significantly reducing the use of toxic chemicals and animal drugs on conventional farms by the year 2010. This phase-out will include a ban on the most dangerous farm chemicals and animal feed additives (antibiotics, hormones, and rendered animal protein) as well as the implementation of intensive Integrated Pest Management Practices (decrease the use of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers through natural composting, crop rotation, cover crops, use of beneficial insects, etc.).
Convert American Agriculture to at least 30% organic by the year 2010. We demand government funding and implementation of transition to organic programs so that at least 30% of US agriculture is organic by the year 2010-with a strong emphasis on production for local and regional markets by small and medium-sized organic farmers.

Take Action in Your Community

Circulate our Food Agenda 2000-2010 petition to identify as many people as possible who support our campaign. We will include these names in our local databases for two-way communication and mobilization.
Help us find retail stores and co-ops that will circulate our petitions and other materials, which can all be downloaded from our website.
Tell your friends and family about our free electronic newsletter, BioDemocracy News.
Tune in to our OCA web site for regular news, updates, and Action Alerts: www.organicconsumers.org
Organize forums, protests, and news-making events.
Pressure elected public officials, political candidates, and regulatory agencies both locally and nationally, to demand either an outright GE moratorium or comprehensive mandatory labeling, stringent pre-market safety-testing and long-term liability insurance for all GE food and fiber products.
FARM AID- a great way to support the cause

Alternative to Genetic Engineering: Organic Farming

Definition of "Organics" in the U.S.

Effective 21 October 2002, all agricultural farms and products claiming to be organic must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting the following guidelines:

Abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior to certification and then continually throughout their organic license.
Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation.
Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices.
Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.
Sustain animals on 100% organic feed.
Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products.
Keep records of all operations.

Organic products grown in healthier soil contain higher levels of nutrients, and many taste better than their conventional counterparts. Organic fruits and vegetables test at minimal or zero pesticide residue levels and, with the passage of the USDA organic standards, consumers can now be assured producers follow earth-friendly cultivation and grazing practices. Millions of people choose organic foods as a way of showing their support for responsible business, strong communities, and local farmers.

** Information obtained from http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/organics101.cfm **

FARM AID

The Farm Aid Mission Statement

The mission of Farm Aid is to keep family farmers on their land. Family farmers are our only guarantee for fresh, local food. Our goal is to bring together family farmers and citizens to restore family farm-centered agriculture. Family farmers ensure safe, healthful food, protect natural resources, and strengthen local economies.

Farm Aid accomplishes this Mission by:

Raising awareness and funds with an annual signature music concert

Awarding grants to farmer and rural service organizations that directly support family farmers

Developing and funding programs that promote outreach, education, and the development of long-term solutions that support family farm centered agriculture

Building partnerships and educating the public to raise funds and to promote activism in support of family farmers

Issues raised by Farm Aid and other organizations:

Genetic Engineering

Why is corn pollen suspected of killing Monarch butterflies? What was the Taco Bell scandal a few years back? Why are Mexican corn farmers afraid of the wind? Why do many countries refuse to buy American crops? Since the introduction of genetically engineered foods (GE) to the market in 1995, genetic engineering has sparked a global controversy. Environmental hazards, food and crop contamination, declining market prices, and political battles are all side effects of the genetic tampering with your food.

Genetic Engineering: Science in the Wild

Genetic engineering is the manipulation of specific genes that are moved from one species to another to create a trait that didn’t previously exist. For example, fish genes have been transferred to tomatoes and insect genes can be found in potatoes. Common crops, such as corn, have been engineered to contain pesticides in every cell of the plant. As a result, these crops are not registered as food - they are actually considered pesticides. The prevalent usage of GE crops is increasingly threatening the biodiversity in our seed supply and making our crops more vulnerable to disease outbreaks and pest infestations.

Genetic Engineering: Threatening Farmers Worldwide

Farmers buy GE crops based on promises of lower costs and higher yields, but they often find additional costs in veterinary bills, medications, unstable markets and extra pesticides. In short farmers often encounter higher costs and lower yields with GE crops. Farmers that buy GE seeds, enter into a contract that dictates how and when the crop can be grown and forbids the farmer to save seed - contrary to traditional practices. Many farmers have been sued for allegedly saving seeds, while neighboring farmers whose crops have been contaminated by GE pollen drift have been sued for unknowingly "possessing" GE seeds.

Genetic Engineering: A Public Health Hazard

While the Food and Drug Administration claims GE products on the market are totally safe, there has been no thorough analysis of their long-term implications. Despite overwhelming consumer demand, none of these products are labeled. Due to the extremely unpredictable nature of genetic experimentation, new food toxins, allergens or diseases can and have resulted from GE foods. Weak regulations and corporate oversight have allowed experimental crops to contaminate the general food supply. In a recent case corn, that had been genetically engineered to use as a vaccine for diarrhea in pigs, contaminated 500 bushels of soy beans that were intended for the general food supply. The biotech industry has undue influence over government regulatory institutions. For example, a Monsanto executive drafted a proposed legislation for the legalization of rBGH, a genetically modified growth hormone used to boost milk production in dairy herds. She was then hired by the FDA to inform public policy on the very same topic.

*** Information obtained from http://www.farmaid.org/site/PageServer?pagename=info_facts_genetic **

Bibliography

1. Center For Food Safety (est.1997) Center for food safety. <http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org> (November 2004)

2. Farm Aid (15 November 2004) Farm Aid Keep America Growing <http://www.farmaid.org> (November 2004)

3. Mothers for Natural Law. Mothers for Natural Law <http://www.safefood.org> (November 2004)

4. Non-GMO source ( November 2004) Volume 4, Issue 11. <http://www.pewagbiotech.org> (November 2004)

5. Organic Consumers Association ( 17 November 2004) Organic Consumers Association <http://www.organicconsumersassociation.org> (November 2004)

6. Smith, J. (2004) Genetically engineered foods may pose national health risks. Organic Consumers Association <http://www.organicconsumersassociation.org> (November 2004)

7. Union of Concerned Scientists ( 28 October 2004) Union of Concerned Scientists: Citizens and scientists for environmental solutions <http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/index.cfm> (November 2004)