GM- Controversy

If the food you ate today did not exclusively come from your backyard garden, it is highly likely that you have had a food that contained a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). It’s estimated that 60% - 70% of processed foods in the U.S. have ingredients that come from GM plants. The most common GM foods are soybeans, cotton, rapeseed (canola) oil and maize. Maize is corn and corn is in almost everything. Any products made with high fructose corn syrup such as snack foods, desserts, sodas and sugary cereals likely have GM plant ingredients. GM plant ingredients are ubiquitous, but why aren’t foods that contain them labeled? Consumers are allowed (as we should be) to see all the ingredients, so why not where those ingredients are from?

The policy of the U.S. government, which regulates all things agriculturally and labeling wise, claim that there is no need to inform the consumer because GM foods are totally safe. Many people, including most of the European population, don’t agree. Many people claim that GM foods are too early on the scene to be so wide spread because we don’t know what the long term effects of growing and eating these crops could be. Take for example the case of Starlink Corn. StarLink corn is a GM crop that was engineered to express a bacterial toxin that is poisonous to crop-destroying insect pests. This particular corn was only intended to be used as feed for animals, and was never intended to make it into “people food.” (Side note: most animals including cows do not naturally eat corn; this is a byproduct of modern agriculture.)

U.S. regulatory authorities permitted the commercial sale of StarLink seed with the stipulation that crops produced must not be used for human consumption. This restriction was based on the possibility that a small number of people might develop an allergic reaction to StarLink corn.

Well, it is very hard to tame Mother Nature. Somehow this corn turned up in corn products intended for humans such as taco shells, and over two dozen people reported allergic reactions related to eating corn products that may have contained the StarLink corn. StarLink corn has been since taken off the market.

Allergies is one big concern when it comes to these GM plants. Proteins are being created that humans have never eaten before and there is no way to tell if one of these proteins will someday illicit an allergic reaction in an innocent consumer. Other concerns include the cross-contamination through pollen from GM foods to non GM foods and the creation of "super" weeds and other environmental risks. However the GM movement keeps moving forward likely due in part by industry pressure, mostly from one major company that reports huge profits from the sale of GM seeds and other products.

There are many people who support the continued use and development of GM crops. Since GM crops have been introduced, no one has had any very serious adverse effects to GM foods. GM crops also have the potential to alleviate world hunger. Crops can be engineered to be resistant to drought and pests and can therefore be grown in regions food could traditionally not been grown thus producing a lot more food that can feed many more people.

Most people do agree that whichever side you are on, consumers have a right to know where their food comes from. Until this happens, try to choose locally grown foods when you can which are likely grown on small farms using organic methods that do not include genetic modification.