Benefits And Risks Of Bioengineered Foods Essay

Millions of people worldwide have consumed foods derived from genetically engineered foods— from cereals, breads, soybeans but still there were no facts and figures if these foods have unfavourable effects to human. In relation, this short research will look into the risks and possibilities of bioengineered foods while answering the question â€Å"Are genetically engineered foods safe to eat? † Different arguments are presented to give the benefits or risks of the GE foods. This study will look into the risks to the environment, health, economy. Laws and rules on GE foods will also be discussed in this study (Schardt 42). Bioengineered crops were first discovered by Gregor Mendel, a geneticist, when he experimented to insert a gene from a pea plant with better traits into another pea. Results showed that the plant is more resistant to any diseases. This was the start of bioengineered crops and later foods (Gorman, 56). Some of the bioengineered crops are soybeans, corn, cotton, potatoes, and dairy and animal products. Experiments were done making a more competitive crop making it into competitive by-products (Seattle, WA, pp2). In Canada, there are 5. 8 million hectares reported to be planted with GE crops and considered as one of the top producers of bioengineered foods in the world. From this figure, there are 820,000 hectares devoted to GE corn which a lot of by-products are made of (Gorman, 100). The Impacts On Health The most common crop that is used in genetic engineering is the corn. Many of what we eat in the breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks is a by-product of corn and these are sweeteners, cereals, starch, oil and syrups (Robinson 110-120). But despite the usefulness of the corn in the daily consumption there had been news that these foods are believed to be genetically engineered (GE) foods. Issues coming from various organizations opposing GE foods are all over the internet and papers. The issue here is that GE foods are not safe for consumption of human (Robinson 110-120). In a study done in New Zealand, where rats were used to feed with the foods believed to be GE foods, it created confusion among scientists, businessmen and farmers. The rat that ate the food had problems with their liver and blood circulation. Oppositions pointed out to the companies that there really are effects of the GE foods onto animals. If this is the case how much more if this is consumed by the whole population in the US (Rifkin 34-38). In Europe, GE foods are starting to be banned by the government. People opposing the promotion of the GE foods wrote press releases stating that these are harmful to the health and might cause allergens to some who are not used eating this kind of food. Another argument was that why test it with the animals when humans will consume the GE foods (Pusztai 7-10). But all of the issues are debunked by the companies producing the GE foods. According to the companies, the enzymes that are inserted into the crops are good for the health. These enzymes are proteins that are essential to human health. They further stated that this will only be harmful if this is not compatible with the genes of the person who ate the GE foods (Cummins and Lilliston 48-50). On Environment Good environment is what makes the world livable for humans and animals. Altering it will create imbalance to the ecosystem. The production of genetically modified crops requires big lands suitable for planting (Anderson 20). Since the crops are equipped with genes that are resistant to any diseases chemical composition is embodied in the seed crops. Planting these seed crops will alter the fertilization of the soil (Shiva 20-25). The farmers will still be using chemical more since they know that these will not be absorbed by the plant. The heavy application of chemical can build air pollution which might be harmful to the plants surrounding it and to the people applying it. (World Wildlife Fund, Canada, F4). The companies suggested that while the farmers are using the seed crop they should have the gears so that they will not be harmed while planting and spraying chemicals. But this argument still should have a basis in order to encourage farmers to plant genetically modified crops. Because if the nature will be altered we cannot reverse it anymore into an environment we wanted for the future generations (Robinson 22-25). On Economy One of the benefits that are seen by the seed companies producing the GE foods is the increase in the income of farmers since most of these crops are high in demand but low in supply. That is why the companies tried to look for an answer in the world market where there are problems with decreasing supply and the difficulty of farmers to supply it all. The companies and the scientists saw the need to experiment in order to increase the supply and even increasing jobs for people (Rifkin 55). Some of the benefits laid down by the companies: For one, using genetically modified crops in their farms will ensure increase in yield and profit. Why is this so? In using these seed crops, farmers will use lesser dose of pesticides and herbicides since the seeds and crops that are used in planting are equipped with genes that are resistant to any disease and reaction. Inputs are very high in price so this is one way of answering to the burdens of farmers (Pusztai 60). Not only that chemical and pesticide costs will be reduced but also labor costs that usually have bigger part in the pie. Fewer workers will be tapped to work in the farm since this will not require a lot of maintenance. This will only mean that decrease in their inputs will have higher profit. In any case farmers are still faced with problems in the farm such as higher credit line to the companies that are responsible of producing the GM crops. Even if the farmers are aware of the disadvantages of planting GM crops they still want to try using these kinds of seed crops because all they really want is to make high profit they can boast of (Schardt 33-34). Labelling and Testing Laws and Rules Different arguments have been laid by the oppositions and the companies that produce these seed crops and GE foods. The question here now is â€Å"who should be responsible in ensuring that the foods eaten by the people are safe and no side-effects? ’ The company sees to it that the responsible stakeholders will impart their knowledge and share their part in making the introduction of the GE foods successful. In cooperation with US FDA these GE products are carefully tested and labelled in order to inform the consumers that these are GE products (Schardt 45). The US Food and Drug Administration sees to it that the products sold in the market are safe for consumers especially that today many of the products are said to be imitations and used different ingredients harmful to the health (Schardt, 45). In fact, one of the assigned tasks of FDA is to carefully analyse the enzymes inserted in the crop or product so that this will not create a problem in the market later on. Assessment of each protein present is very important because this will affect the body of the consumer of the certain product. According to FDA, they have been constantly in contact with the companies producing such GE products because they want that the consumers will not bear the harmful effects of GE products (Gorman, 33-56). But in most cases, some of the GE foods have been found not properly tested. If this is the case there will be problems later in the health of human especially that effects of GE products were recorded to be fatal in the lives of human. But the problem here is that these effects will not be evident in short period of time but will be felt at the later part. Still these effects are still unknown and how is it going to be cured or prevented. The groups are proposing that there should be proper and adequate testing in order to know its side effects to animals and humans (Schardt, 47-48). Conclusion The issues on GE foods pose a great challenge to the scientists and companies who are capable of producing the products. Of course they want to compete with the global market and simply increase the income of farmers. But there is always a causal effect on the part of consumers. They are faced with different perspectives from different groups all over the world. Producing this much is very helpful in food security of a country but when it comes to harmful effects these should be looked into by the companies. There should be no disadvantaging with the profits and gains but should be vigilant how these products can be of help to the country. The promotion of organically grown products is taking into the limelight. This might be a good option and alternative for all who wants to have healthy lifestyle in the coming years. Works Cited Anderson, Luke. Genetic Engineering, Food and our Environment. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, Vermont, U. S.A: White River Junction, 1999 Cummins Ronnie Lilliston, Ben. Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers. New York: Marlowe and Company, 2000 Do Genetically-Engineered (GE) Crops Reduce Pesticides? The Emerging Evidence Says â€Å"not Likely. † Spring, 2000. A report by the World Wildlife Fund, Canada. GORMAN, Paul. Govt rules GE corn fit for people to eat; GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FODDER; Corn type may produce ‘unique’ food hazards The Press. 2007 Pusztai, Arpad. â€Å"Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? † American Institute of Biological Sciences, 2001.