Genetically
Modified foods (or GM foods) are foods derived from genetically modified micro organisms.
Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their
DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These
techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis
(mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to
create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans
modify food organisms include selective breeding, plant breeding and animal
breeding.
GM foods were first put on the
market in the early 1990's. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic
plant products: rice, cotton, tomatao, brinjal, soybean, corn,
canola,
and cotton seed oil, etc. Animal products have also been
developed, none are currently on the market. In 2006, a pig was controversially
engineered to produce omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers have also
developed a genetically-modified breed of pigs that are able to absorb plant
phosphorus more efficiently, and as a consequence the phosphorus content of
their manure is reduced by as much as 60%. Critics have objected to GM foods on
several grounds, including safety issues, ecological
concerns, and economic
concerns raised by the fact that these organisms are subject to intellectual property law.
The first commercially grown
genetically modified whole food crop was a tomato (called FlavrSavr),
which was modified to ripen without softening, by Calgene,
later a subsidiary of Monsanto. Calgene took the initiative to obtain FDA approval
for its release in 1994 without any special labeling, although legally no such
approval was required. It was welcomed by consumers who purchased the fruit at
a substantial premium over the price of regular tomatoes. However, production
problems and competition from a conventionally bred, longer shelf-life
variety prevented the product from becoming profitable.
Leave apart the GM foods, Think of the poverty stricken and hungry African nations like Somalia.
A tomato produced using
similar technology to the Flavr Savr was used by Zeneca to produce tomato paste
which was sold in Europe during the summer of 1996.The labeling and pricing
were designed as a marketing experiment, which proved, at the time, that
European consumers would accept genetically engineered foods. Currently, there
are number of food species in which a genetically modified version exists.
While it is
evident that there is a food supply issue, the question is whether GM can solve
world hunger problems, or even if that would be the best way to address the
issue. Several scientists argue that in order to meet the demand for food in
the developing world, a second Green Revolution with increased use of GM crops is
needed. Others argue that there is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger
crisis is caused by problems in food distribution and politics, not production.
Recently some critics and environmentalists have changed their minds on the
issue with respect to the need for additional food supplies. Further, it has been widely noted
that there are those who consider over-population the real issue here, and that
food production is adequate for any reasonable population size.
Genetic
modification is analogous to nuclear power: nobody loves it, but climate change
has made its adoption imperative. Genetic modification offers both faster crop
adaptation and a biological, rather than chemical, approach to yield increase.
On the other
hand, many believe that GM food has not been a success and that we should
devote our efforts and money into another solution. “We need biodiversity
intensification that works with nature’s nutrient and water cycles, not against
them,” says Vandana Shiva, the founder of Navdanya, the movement of 500,000 seed keepers and organic farmers
in India, argues that GMF's have not increased yields.
Some claim
that genetically modified food help farmers produce, despite the odds or any
environmental barriers. While new technology must be tested before it is
commercially released, we should be mindful of the risks of not releasing it at
all. Anti-science ideology misguidance and failure by governments to prioritize
agricultural and rural development in developing countries brought us the food
crisis.
There has
been a fair consolidation of the nation's food system into the hands of a few
multinationals. Global agricultural companies controls the commercial seed
market as they develop, license and market genetically altered corn, soybeans
and other crops, manipulating the seed market by buying up independent seed
companies, patenting seed products, and then spiking prices.
Leave apart the GM foods, Think of the poverty stricken and hungry African nations like Somalia.
Whether
GM foods stay or not, the main question in front of us is how do we combat food
crisis in the world??
The challenge we face is not the
challenge of whether we have enough resources to produce, but whether we will
change our behavior!!!!!
5 comments:
Good one...worth reading.
Thank u Simi, hope I can keep putting some gud articles worth reading
good work ,dear take care....
Hi Sangeetha...nice blog..keep the good work...Yes GM foods are customised and may be more tasty but not healthy and the World hunger crisis is due to politics and not production...
I appreciate you sharing this fantastic article post about .GMO Foods
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