Genetic engineering, also known as genetic modification, is the procedure used to produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (Kruft n.p.). Different species of plants that are thought to be drought, pest, and herbicide resistant are frequently produced as a result of the procedure. In 1972, the first GMO was created. (Millis n.p). Ten years later, the GM plant was created, and by 2004, 81 million hectares of GM cotton, canola, and soy legumes existed.
Scientists have not been able to demonstrate the safety of GMOs for human ingestion even after many years have passed since the first GMOs were created. On contrary, the researches conducted globally proved the negative effects of such organisms. As much as proponents consider GMO’s as the step towards the greater mileage in the agricultural industry, the plants have brought more harm than good to humans, animals, and the environment indeed which is on the primary view of the paper.
Impact of GMOs
GMOs are linked to many of the problems facing the world currently. From lifestyle diseases among humans to the imbalance in the ecosystem. The ones who benefit from GMOs are the big seed companies that sell the products at very high prices to farmers. The seeds come with benefits, such as better yields, reduced cost of production, and drought resistance. Their continuous use has proven to require large quantities of pesticides and herbicides. Accumulation of the chemical substances over long periods of time is likely to present unpleasant consequences to animals, human bodies and the environment.
Impacts on Humans
Obesity and Diabetes
There has been a lot of speculation on the effects of GMOs to the increased cases of obesity that are experienced currently in America. In a research to determine the effects of unsaturated fats on body weight published by PLOS One Journal, soybean was discovered to have a high likelihood of inducing diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure as compared to pure sugars (Gutierrez n.p.). The study was structured to investigate the types of fats and compare it to sugar to determine how they impact the body differently. From the research the mice were fed with various types of oils; coconut oil, soybean oil and the other contained high fructose diet. The results revealed that the mice that were fed on soybean gained weight 9 times the ones on fructose diet and 25 times the ones on coconut diet (Gutierrez n.p.). They also had more fat in their livers and high insulin resistance as compared to the rest of the specimens. The issue can be directly translated to the human and animal bodies. Almost 94% of the soybeans acreage that is now cultivated in the US is genetically modified presenting the accounts for 60% of the oil consumption in the country (Gutierrez n.p.). The data clearly explains the rise in the obesity and diabetes cases, currently being experience in America, which can imply that the most of the fast food restaurants and homes use soybean oils for their meal preparations.
Cancer
Another research has shown that GM crops could be the cause of breast cancer (The World Foundation For Natural Science n.p.). The main chemical of the roundup herbicide that is used in maize farming is the Glyphosate. The low levels of the substance behave like the hormone estrogen and trigger the growth of breast cancer cells (The World Foundation For Natural Science n.p.). The level of glyphosate that had the effect during the study was recorded to be much lower than the allowable standards in drinking water in Europe and USA. Furthermore, it was even lower than the levels found in Genetically Modified soy (The World Foundation For Natural Science n.p.). The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the chemical substance as a probable human carcinogen. Such a decision is based upon animal studies that show that it actually does cause cancer. Cases of cancer have been on the rise and with the research in mind, it is very impossible for the proponents of GMO to still convince the public that the technology is safe. Cancer is a disease that is known to cause a lot of pain and causes financial and emotional drain to families. In this regard, any substance that is suspected to be carcinogenic should be discouraged from human consumption
Birth Defects and Development Disorders
Birth defects and development disorders are now associated with the use of GMOs. The World Foundation for Natural science estimates that all animals in the US currently feed on GMOs. Studies show that plant genes pass from the GM feed into the animal and eventually to the products such as its milk, eggs and meat. In a study conducted in Canada, 93% of the unborn babies had Genetically Engineered toxins in their bodies (The World Foundation For Natural Science n.p.). The indications are very dangerous to their health. The study demonstrates how these substances that we consume are not broken down but still maintain their toxicity even to the fetus.
Allergies
The potential of GM crops to cause allergenic reactions is high compared to conventional crops (GreenPeace). According to a study done in Australia, it was observed that GM Peas contains allergens that caused allergic reactions in Mice (GreenPeace n.p.). It was also revealed that the modified peas also made the mice more sensitive to other food allergies.
GMOs have proved to cause a lot of health issues in human beings. In such a case, it is very important for companies and food outlets that use these products to rethink their stance. The companies should make it clear to their product consumers of the various negative effects that may come with the consumption of their GMOs. Informing the consumers allows them to make informed choices and possibly prepare for how to mitigate against any of the side effects that may come with the consumption of the GMOs. Scientists are still very long away from understanding the dynamics of DNA and food mutations of living organisms therefore, human being should not be used for these experiments.
Impacts on Animals
GMO feeds such as soy bean also causes an increase in anti – nutrients such as phytoestrogens. These substances were found to be harmful to the animals as they are the ones that are responsible for the increase in infertility in cattle and sheep. There has been reports in state Iowa where there has been reduce rate of reproduction among the pigs which have been largely linked to glyphosate found in their feeds. The substance also causes botulism in dairy cows, as well as rickets and bloody bowels in pigs (Roseboro n.p.). Some death has also been attributed to these substances and results in great loss for the farmers. Passing these manmade organisms to torture the animals with their negative health impacts is a huge injustice to them.
In a report by the Journal of Organic Systems, pigs suffered from the consumption of feeds which had GM soy and maize. They had severe stomach inflammation compared to those that were fed by the organic crops (Roseboro n.p.). The issue goes further to explain how the substances found in GM crops are very harmful even to animals. Just as the toxic substances are not broken down by the digestive system of a human being they are also not broken down in pigs. The foods that we give the animals end up in breakfast, lunch or dinner tables. In a process referred to as horizontal gene transfer the substance that caused the discomfort in the animals could be found in pork, bacon or sausages. Therefore, it is imperative that the feeds are carefully grown as human beings end up taking the same but in a different form.
GM Crop are also a risk to aquatic life. The toxins these crops secrete to the soils upon accumulation can be washed or carried to water courses when it rains. It threatens the aquatic life as it exerts a toxic effect further showing the ambiguity of interactions in the natural environment. For instance, an herbicide known as roundup is toxic to aquatic life such as the frog larvae (GreenPeace n.p.). Continuous use of such products could result in very detrimental effects that human beings might not recognize right now but be very costly to the future.
Impacts on the Environment
It is predicted that the weeds will eventually develop resistance to herbicides (GreenPeace n.p.). These new “super weeds” which are resistant to herbicides are now a problem to most parts of the US and South America. The most natural reaction by farmers who are caught up in the situation is to add the quantities and the concentration of herbicides used. The state, in turn, is very harmful as it adds to the toxicity of the food and the environment. Not knowingly to the farmer the chemical substances that are found in the herbicides accumulate in their concentration in soils and are absorbed directly to the foods through their roots and open pores on their leaves.
Just like weeds can form resistance to herbicides, pests also can also adapt to pesticides or even farming practices that keep them under control. The corn root worm which causes great losses to maize in the United States in one of the insects that has developed resistance. The larvae consumes the roots of the maize plants causing losses to farmers. The beetles that grow from these larvae also consume the leaves and cobs. Traditionally dealing with the warms was a simple crop rotation of alternating soy and maize. Soy produces inhibitors that do not support the existence of larvae and the risk of infection is mitigated. Unfortunately, as the years passed by, the larvae has adopted to soy meaning the traditional method can no longer work.
The concentrated pollutants that are used to grow the GM crops destroy the soil and also pollute the water system. Most companies dealing with the technology promise that the crops require less water but the opposite is true. More of it is actually required to dilute the toxic substances form the soil. Some of the species require lots of liters so as to be able to grow into very large sizes and weights which are ordinarily impossible to achieve with the conventional farming.
The pest-resistant crops are also toxic to non-target species (GreenPeace n.p.). For instance, continuous exposure to pollen from GM insect resistant maize causes an alteration to the behavior and the survival of the monarch butterfly (GreenPeace n.p.). From the studies carried out, many indicate that maize threaten their existence while they are very important during pollination (GreenPeace n.p.). The crops are also toxic to beneficial insects. These organisms such as the green lacewings are important in controlling maize pests. Research has also uncovered that there are other toxins found in GM crops which affect the learning performance of honeybees. In the recent environmental risk studies by the European Union, the GM crops produce direct acute toxic effects on the bees. The impact, however, acute and cannot be ignored.
Genetically Modified crops are also a major threat to the soil ecosystems. Many of them pass their toxins through their roots. The left overs or rather residues that are left in the farms after harvest contain active toxins. The continuous agglomeration and accumulations of the toxins have adverse effects on the soil toxicity. They then alter its nutrient content, PH levels and thus disturbing its fertility. In this regard, the GM crops are considered to be major underground pollutants. Glyphosate causes deficiencies in earth nutrients (nitrogen and manganese), when it is introduced with its effects to microorganisms.
According to Green Peace, several scientific studies indicate that new pests are filling the void left by the absence of the pests which are controlled by GM crops. For instance, following a 10 year field study, Chinese researchers discovered that there was a steady increase in the number of leaf bugs in BT cotton fields. These bugs are normally sensitive to pesticides that rid bollworms in the conventional way of cotton farming. However since the introduction of the species that is pest resistant, there has been a significant increase in their population. Consequently, it is very important to leave plants to grow in their natural form and limit any attempts to alter the ecosystems and conditions which support their growth organically.
The expansive use of GMOs promotes monoculture which causes a threat to biodiversity of species (Citizenship Foundation n.p.). The reduction of variety of species is a danger to both plants and animal that depend on them. The culture is also very dangerous as it is vulnerable to the spread of diseases. In case of an outbreak, the disease would clear a whole plantation of the same species.
Also the use of GMO’s is said to impact negatively on the economy (VIB n.p.). Farmers have been oppressed to buy the modified seeds that are sold at very high prices. Those that depends entirely on farming organically suffer great losses as their crops take longer duration to ripen in the fields. The big seed companies are cashing on these GMO’s while small scale farmers regard the move as oppression. GM crops are also associated with chemicals that are expensive for small scale farmers. The farmers get into debt and depend on large companies. The livelihoods of people who plant traditionally and use other mechanisms, such as crop rotation, are threatened. It is also believed that GM crops could increase poverty and hunger in developing countries other than eradicate (Citizenship Foundation n.p.).
Conclusion
Genetically Modified Organisms have negative impacts all living organisms. They cause negative health effects to human beings provoking diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and birth defects to fetus. The chemical substances that are injected during the genetic engineering are nor broken down and transfer from one host to another. Animals also receive their equal share of injustices caused by GM feeds. They cause them to have bloody bowels, rickets, still births, infertility, and stomach inflammation. Furthermore, the environment suffers from soil pollution to destruction of the useful insects that are there to ensure perfect balance of the ecosystem.
Generally, there have not been enough comprehensive studies done on the effect of GMOs on humans, animals, and the environment. There is a need to be documented on the effect on the human weight and animals. There also strict regulations regarding the production and distribution of these foods are required. Finally, a higher level of awareness is to be created in order to educate people on the negative impacts of GMOs. A possible area for future study could be the effectiveness of GMO in ensuring food security given that the organisms have negative effects on humans, animals, and the environment.
Works Cited
Citizenship Foundation. "GM Crops." Citizenship Foundation, 2017, www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/page.php?200#security.
GreenPeace. "Environmental and Health Impacts of GM Crops - The Science." Green Peace Organisation, 2001, www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/434214/GM_Fact%20Sheet_Health_%20and_Env_Impacts.pdf.
Gutierrez, David. "GMO Soybean Oil Found to Cause Diabetes, Obesity at Higher Rate Than Sugar." Terry Talks Nutrition, www.terrytalksnutrition.com/DBfiles/InTheNewsFile/52420.pdf.
Kruft, David. "Impacts of Genetically-Modified." Texas Tech University, 2001, myweb.ttu.edu/kelschri/portfolio/images/gmoresearchpaper.pdf.
Millis, Nancy. "Genetically Modified Organisms." Australian Government. Department of the Environment and Energy, 2006, www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/c4e4d913-0e4d-46f0-a41d-940a34885c7b/files/gmo.pdf.
Roseboro, Ken. "Animal Health Problems Linked to Glyphosate, GM Feed." The Organic and Non-GMO Report, 2015, non-gmoreport.com/articles/may-2015/animal-health-problems-linked-to-glyphosate-GM-feed.php.
The World Foundation For Natural Science. "The Hidden Use of Genetically Modified Organisms and Their Impact on Human Beings, Animals and Nature." Natural Science Organisation, 2015, www.naturalscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015-06-23-WFNS-Factsheet-GMO-english-WEB.pdf.
VIB. "Effects of Genetically Modified Crops On The Environment." VIB, 2017, www.vib.be/en/news/Documents/vib_fact_genetisch%20gewijzigde%20gewassen_ENG_2016_LR.pdf.
Works Consulted
Bredahl, Lone. "Determinants of Consumer Attitudes and Purchase Intentions with Regard to Genetically Modified Food–Results of a Cross-National Survey." Journal of Consumer Policy, vol. 24, no.1, 2001, pp. 23-61.
Shanahan, James, Scheufele, Dietram, and Lee, Eunjung. "Trends: Attitudes about Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Organisms." Public Opinion Quarterly, 2001, pp. 267-281.
