Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms
While the term genetically modified organisms has arisen within the past decade, humans have for centuries been using microorganisms to make products like beer and cheese, and plants and animals have been carefully bred to improve the quality and quantity of the food supply. The elucidation of the structure of DNA and the development of the discipline of molecular biology has made possible the accurate insertion or removal specific genes into or out of the DNA of particular organisms. This enables the design organisms with specific desirable characteristics and the ability to understand which genes control the growth, reproduction, and aging and disease susceptibility of plants and animals.
The use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture has expanded at a rapid rate in key agricultural exporting countries in the past decade. Countries where transgenic crops are in advanced stages of field-testing or commercialization include the United States, Argentina, Canada, and Australia. The global area devoted to transgenic crops has increased from 1.7 hectares in 1996, to 27.8 hectares in 1998. In North America, the use of genetically modified cotton, soybean and canola now represents some 50 per cent of the total acreage.
Genetically modified organisms have generated considerable debate. Genetically modified crops are resistant to or tolerant to disease or insect attack. For example, a gene encoding an insecticidal protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has made cotton, corn and other crops resistant to attack by caterpillars. Data from several years of use of genetically modified crops in the Unites States has shown that the requirement for pesticides is reduced. Genetically modified crops may also permit higher yields. This may offer real hope to the estimated billion people who are chronically under-nourished and hungry, and to the many more as the global population doubles in the next 50 years. Additionally, crops that have improved nutritional value or with therapeutic value are being designed. Such nutraceuticals are driving the development of an industry whose annual sales are expected to grow to billions in the United States alone.
However, the impact of these totally new organisms on the environment and on human health cannot presently be completely predicted. Within recent years several studies have purported to demonstrate harmful effects to monarch butterflies by their ingestion of pollen from Bt corn, and to rats by their ingestion of modified potatoes. The validity of these studies remains controversial. As well, the increased yields of genetically modified organisms may contribute to a decrease in crop biodiversity-- genetic differences between species. Homogeneity may make crops more susceptible to disease. Thus, the present uncertainty about the cumulative effects in ecosystems or the food chain is making consumers wary.
Considerable controversy has arisen concerning the genetic modification of plants such that their seeds are not capable of growth upon planting. The commercial control and potential monopolization of food production has been decried by some. Such social debates surrounding genetically modified organisms will likely not be resolved soon. In both North America and Europe, the need to provide accurate labeling of foodstuffs to reflect the incorporation of genetically modified ingredients is being debated.
In January of 2000, The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted in Montreal, Canada. The protocol, negotiated under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, is one of the first legally binding international agreements to govern the trade or sale of genetically modified organisms of agricultural importance.
Aside from foods, genetically modified organisms are making their way into other commercial venues. For example, the forestry industry is actively utilizing molecular biology to generate trees capable of faster and straighter growth.
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