Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have increased the United States’ crop output significantly in recent years. Genetically modified organisms offer higher yield, higher drought tolerance, adaptability to less than ideal growing environments, herbicide and pesticide resistance, and even shorter growing seasons, compared to traditional crops. Advancements in herbicide and pesticide resistance have allowed farmers to enjoy clean rows of crops with no weeds to fight with. Their nutritional difference compared to traditional crops is none and their genetic makeup differs only in the few genes that are resistant to herbicide and pesticides. With the high supply of corn, beans, and even wheat, U.S. market prices have plummeted in recent years. So what does the U.S. do with this excess supply of food? Export it to third-world countries who are in dire need of nutrition, of course. Except that many African and even European countries have banned the sale of GMOs in their countries, for reasons that are quite simply, scientifically false. The education on this type of technology (GMOs) is nonexistent in these countries, who rely on traditional methods of crop gathering rather than the United States’ method of mass production. Many citizens in these countries, and even the U.S., believe that GMOs lead to individuals developing life-threatening diseases such as cancer and genetic deformities in their children. This is not true; current research on genetically modified organisms relating to the development of cancer in the body is inconclusive, according to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Cordeiro 2014) (more current research has also found no link between the two). However, in my experience, a general population, whether it be in a starving country or the U.S. would most likely answer yes to a question along the lines of “Do you believe GMOs cause cancer?” This is largely due to many opinionated articles, news reports, and public figures condemning GMOs due to their fear of the name and past companies, such as Monsanto, that have tarnished the term due to outdated and unethical methods of pesticide and herbicide application. The bias and fear in this media has influenced a greater global population to reject this scientific advancement that presents great potential at helping resolve the world hunger crisis.

            I think something that would greatly improve the United States reputation on a global and domestic scale would be establishing credible and trusting relationships between the United States and third world countries. In doing so, the United States could begin to educate foreign governments on the lack of dangers associated with GMOs and the great advantages these high yielding crops possess. Perhaps persuading at least some countries to change their policies and thoughts on GMOs. Through this, these foreign governments could then begin educating their citizens on the same advantages and eventually how to care for them on their own and in their own countries, once seeds have been developed and engineered to survive in those different climates and soil types. I think that many countries have yet to see these types of crops (specifically corn and beans, as many fruits have strains of GMOs) in practice at a local level, so perhaps seeing GMOs and their application work effectively in a neighboring country, it will cause a domino effect and convince many surrounding countries to change their ways. The United States could then begin exporting this excess of crops to these countries and in turn putting more money into the pockets of American farmers. In addition, I think this education must be passed on at a domestic level within the United States also, in order to establish credibility among American citizens before beginning to expand their influence globally.

            My point here is the benefits of GMOs are too great and advantageous to society to be put aside based on the fears and false notions many people associate with the term. We have a real solution to aid in the fight against global hunger, but countries and individuals are letting false information scare them from feeding starving people worldwide. The issue here is the lack of education surrounding this topic as money people are unaware of what a GMO actually is, just that they assume they should be afraid of it. If the education of GMOs, domestically and through foreign negotiations, was stressed more than it is not, we could not only strengthen the American economy and agricultural industry, but also feed starving nations worldwide.

Cordeiro, Brittany, “Do GMOs Cause Cancer?” The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, June 2014. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/june-2014/gmos-cancer.html