essay genetically modified food

8/12/2019 Essay GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

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5BEFS, SANDRO COSTA BOMFIM (SANDRO)

TERM 10/2014

Brett/Lachlan

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

Could the use of Genetically Modified Food cause risk to

biological security?

La Trobe University

29 January 2014


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Could the use of Genetically Modified Food cause risk to biological

security?

1- INTRODUCTION

World population has peaked 7.2 billion habitants and it is predicted to number 9.15 billion by

2050. As result, the demand for quantity and quality of food by the population has been major as

well. It is believed that genetically modified food (GM food) as a product of the advances in

molecular technology has contributed positively to changes of the food production in modern

agriculture. In addition, there are studies that show the contributions to agriculture, specially, the

increase of productivity, reduction of environmental pollution, reduction of pesticide and

herbicide usage and improvement in nutrition by the control or addition of nutrients in food.

However, this technology has been criticized forbiological security by religious, consumers and

scientists because the population is not correctly informed about the benefits and risks brought

by the use of GM food. In most cases, costumers are buying vegetables, meat and fruit from

supermarket and grocery stores without know the origin or the nutritional quality these products,

and in reality, most are consuming genetically engineered food. Despite of limited amount of

studies, a number of articles have shown that the use of GM food could cause u nanticipated

allergic responses (Taylor & Hefle, 2001., & Nordlee et al 2006), biological resistance reducing

the effectiveness of pesticides and herbicides (Keese, 2008) and inadvertent toxicity to wildlife

(Tiedje et al 1989). Therefore, this essay will firstly define genetically modified food. Second, it

will discuss how genetically modified food is being utilized as innovative technology for

developing agriculture. Finally, it will give reasons why GM food should be controlled,

specifically because of the high risks to biological security; 1 health risks and 2- increasing

environmental damage.


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3- GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD AS A INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Genetically modified food could be the main innovative technology in developing agriculture.

According to Phillips 1994 as cited in Purchas (2005), experimentation in genetic modification

(transgenic) started in 1960s, it continued into the 1990s. It also has extended into the 21st

century. Advances in genetic engineering generated new technologies that have been considered

as the main responsible to the progress of the agriculture by proponents of this technology. It has

utilized many countries to solve the economic, health and environmental issues. This is based in

manipulation of genetic material, specifically DNA. The ability to change the DNA structure

permitted create new variation of life called transgenic organisms or genetically modified

organisms. These are frequently utilized to produce various chemicals products including drugs,

vaccines, hormones, antibiotics and to food production as well. According to Bouis et al (2003)

as cited in Purchase (2005), the introduction of GM technology brings an alternative to the

increase in productivity and supply of food in the world. Improving the ability to withstand

extreme conditions for example pests, weeds, viruses, salinity herbicides, insects, frost, pH,

temperature, drought, and weather, genetically modified plants can response positively to these

conditions and increase the production as well. Uzogara (2000), report that improving plants

could increase the productivity reducing costs by the diminution of pesticides, herbicides and

fertilizes usage. As a result, farmers increase profits. It also could promote the environmental

preservation of the soil, water and atmosphere by the reduction of chemical substances utilized.

In addition, the reduction of pesticide application promotes improving nutritional quality of

foods as well (Purchase, 2005). GM foods can also be utilized to increase minerals in plants

stimulating production of antioxidants and vitamins (flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and

E). These are important chemical substances utilized to protect the body against biological

oxidation, a damaging chemical reaction that occurs in the body causing cancer and heart disease

(Uzogara, 2000). These are the biotechnological benefits that have been observed by the use ofgenetically modified food.


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4- ISSUE

However, several risks to health could be caused by contact or consumption of genetically

modified products. According to Hodgson, 2000 as cited in Artemis Dona & Ioannis S.

Arvanitoyannis (2009), when a viral DNA is transferred to another living organism it has the

potential to cause diseases such as cancer, mutation and the reactivation of inactive viruses. This

transference of genetic materials (genes) among organisms have been identified as responsible

for creating a new generation of antibiotic resistant virus and bacteria that increase the risks to

human health (Artemis Dona & Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis, 2009). Creating resistant organism,

drug dosage (medicine) may be larger than before which could cause, for example, secondary

effects in pathologically sick patients. Moreover, the formulation of the medicine may also be

changed to create new strong medicine. However, new medicines are not developed in a short

time and it could cause the death of various sick patients as well. Another situation, genetic

transference could be utilized as tools to improve the nutritional quality of food. For example, a

gene (methionine rich 2S albumin) from Bertholletia excelsawas introduced in the DNA of

soybean. Having been tested after consumption of this modified product, patients presented

serious skin allergies problems caused by the protein 2S albumin (Nordlee et al 2006). In

addition, CRY9C protein (Bt toxin) is a toxin produced by the Bacillus thuringiensis (soil

bacteria) that has been used for decades specifically in corn crops to protect against attack from

insects. This protein has the power to exterminate insects causing physiology damage, however,

when ingested or touched it has caused immunological responses, including allergen problems in

farmers and consumers as well (Conner et al., 2003; Taylor and Hefle, 2002 as cited in Artemis

Dona & Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis, 2009). Others facts that concern experts about this issue are

the effects caused in the metabolism of rats by the consumption of GM foods. In these negative

effects are includes; increasing triglycerides (Mon856 corn) (Seralini et al., 2007 as cited in

Artemis Dona & Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis, 2009), cells structure of the liver and pancreaticeffects (GM soya) (Malatesta et al., 2002; 2003; 2005 as cited in Artemis Dona & Ioannis S.

Arvanitoyannis, 2009), Stomach necrosis and erosion (flavr-savrTM GM tomatoes) (Pusztai et

al., 2003 as cited in Artemis Dona & Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis, 2009) and death after two weeks

without explanation (Poulsen et al., 2007 as cited in Artemis Dona & Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis,

2009). Therefore, when these consequences are closely analyzed GM food has been observed as

uncertain and unpredictable to human health and on environment.


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5- PARAGRAPH

Nevertheless, the uses of genetically modified food not only cause negative impacts on human

health but it also could lead to serious environmental damage. According to Tiedje et al (1989),

the free genes in the environment which come from genetically engineered organisms have the

potential to hybridize other species through the processes, namely, transformation, conjugation,

transduction, recombination and rearrangement of the DNA. These genes are called genetic

pollution (Tiedje et al, 1989) or Horizontal Genes Transfer (HGT) (Keese, 2008). It has

becoming an issue since the 1970s and it has continued in 21st

century through the increase of

new antibiotic resistant organisms. HGT could occur among virus, bacteria, animals and weeds

causing biodiversity loss (Tiedje et al, 1989) and severe damages to agro-ecosystem by

modifying or creating new organisms. Various domestic or wild species could disappear or

become new pests or pathogens when genes from other species (donor) are incorporated into

their DNA (recipient). In other words, there is a type of steric seeds called terminator seed

commercialized by Monsanto (an agricultural company) which only the first generation (F 1) is

economically utilized. These seeds also have the potential to pollinate other crops within a radius

of five kilometer. When this recipient crop is pollinated by the wind, it may cause the completely

loss their genetic potential becoming a hybrid. As a result, this new hybrid crop may be unable to

produce viable seeds for the next generation. Consequently, farmers need to buy new seeds from

Monsanto in each new planting. In addition, the increase of resistant pathogens and weeds has

become an economic problem by the rising use of pesticides and herbicides and increasing the

costs of production of the farmers. As result, consumers are affected by the high costs and low

quality of the final products. It may also cause serious problems of air, water and soil

contamination leading to the intoxication of farmers, consumers, domestic and wild animals by

the consumption, contact or inhalation of harmful. For these reasons GM food is considered

unsafe. It could cause environmental damage and also the destruction of the food chain.


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6- CONCLUSION

In conclusion, despite the benefits promoted by the use of GM food, it should be strictly

controlled due to the potential risks to biological security. The main risks caused by the use of

this technology are the negative effects on human health, namely, allergies, antibiotic resistant

virus and bacteria and mainly cancer. In addition, various issues in rats caused by the

consumption of GM food may reflect on human health as well. Another reason is the large

potential to destroy the environment through Horizontal Genes Transfer leading to the loss of

biological diversity and causing an imbalance in all ecosystems. In other words, if genetic

engineering continues in this way without control, the ecosystems and the genetic patrimony

could be compromised. It could represent the extinction of various species, including the human

species.

(Word Count 1857)

essay genetically modified food

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