G

enetically modified (GM) crops have again made headlines as the government and public interest groups argue over the benefits and harmful effects of GM organisms.

What are GM crops? Genetically modified crops or GM crops are crops that are genetically modified to develop useful or desired traits. The techniques used to conduct genetic modification are known as genetic engineering techniques. For example, plant geneticists can extract a gene responsible for drought tolerance and insert that gene into a different plant.

Thus, new genetically modified plants can be drought tolerant. Genes cannot only be transferred from one plant to another, but also from non-plant organisms to plants. Another example is the use of B.t. genes in corn. B.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that releases crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. B.t. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, so corn can produce its own pesticides to repel insects such as the European corn borer.

Facts show that most GM crops are used to feed animals or fuel cars in wealthier countries. GM crop farmers use expensive herbicides to reduce labor costs and their crops are planted in monoculture systems.

These systems are dominated by big multinational farms that are interested in controlling the global seed supply, raising seed prices and ending the farm-saved seed system.

The research findings of scientists at the University of California, Altieri and P. Rosset, refer to to the use of GM crops in advanced and developing countries. Hopefully, the facts below will help clarify misconceptions about GM crops.

1) Growing GM crops (such as B.t. corn) can help eliminate the need for the application of chemical pesticides, thus reducing farmers’ costs.

2) GM crops engineered to be resistant to one very powerful herbicide could reduce the amount of herbicides that need to be applied, thus preventing environmental pollution.

For example, Monsanto has a strain of soybeans genetically modified not to be affected by their herbicide product Roundup®. The grower thus only requires one application of herbicide instead of multiple applications, reducing production costs as well as herbicide run-off into the water system.

3) Creating GM crops that can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and water will help people to grow more crops in formerly inhospitable land.

4) GM crops such as “golden” rice containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) promise to improve nutrition for people in Third World countries. Unfortunately, this nutritionally enhanced rice may not come to market because of the vigorous anti-GM food movement in Europe.

What are some harmful effects of GM crops? Most concerns on GM crops are related to environmental hazards, human health risks and economic concerns.

1) GM crops have caused unintended harm to other organisms. For example, studies show that pollen from B.t. corn causes high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants. The fear is that if pollen from B.t. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighboring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish.

In fact, B.t. toxins kill many species of insect larvae indiscriminately. This topic is the subject of acrimonious debate, and both sides of the argument are defending their data vigorously. The potential risk of harm to non-target organisms needs to be evaluated further.

2) GM crops have the potential to develop resistance to the pesticides. This will create what we call “super-weeds” and “super-pests”. As a consequence, farmers will need stronger and more expensive pesticides.

In the future, farmers will have more expenses and the environment will face more resilient weeds and worse water pollution. In addition, the transfer of genes from GM crops to wild or local weeds could lead to the creation of super-weeds.

3) Evidence shows that there are risks of consuming food from GM crops. For example, the new protein from GM crops can act as “allergens” or “toxins”. Herbicide-resistant soybeans produce less isoflavones, which are believed to protect women from a number of cancers.

4) At present, there is an issue about labeling GM foods in the market. Without labels, consumers cannot see the difference between GM foods and non-GM foods. When serious health problems arise, it will be extremely difficult to trace their sources. Unlabelled GM foods also help to cover corporations against responsibility for impacts of the foods they produce.

5) Continued usage of GM crops will lead to “genetic erosion”. as local varieties are replaced with new GM seeds. As a result, local farmers will be dependant on GM crops forever.

6) Comprehensive studies have shown that large areas of GM crops planted as a monoculture are very sensitive to pathogens and insects pests.

7) Using GM crops will reduce the possibility of crop diversification and thus reduce biodiversity in agriculture.

8) Encouraging smallholder farmers to grow GM crops will reduce the number of organic farmers and the ability of their younger generations to appreciate indigenous farming practices based on ecological settings.

9) Bringing a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process, and agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. High prices will be faced by local farmers. With many new GM crops having been patented, consumer advocates are worried that patenting will increase the price of seeds, so that small farmers and Third World countries will no longer be able to afford them, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor.

10) Most GM crop industries think a simple solution to global food security is to use GM crops. However, not all people believe this. Pros and cons on whether GM crops can improve food security in the developing world have been at the heart of the debate.

In conclusion, before using GM crops in large areas, some factors such as farmer conditions and characteristics, funds, agroecological techniques and demand for commodities must be carefully considered by the government.

Make sure small farmers can still have the ability to maintain and sustain their land to be productive and healthy. Finally, we need to find other agroecological alternatives to solve the agricultural problems and manage food security in much more socially acceptable and environmentally friendly manner.

The writer is a professor at Murray State University, US.