The Benefits & Dangers Associated with GM Foods
Published on November 5, 2001

Overview

"Between the enthusiastic exaggeration of certain GMO 'crusaders' and the radicalism of a minority among their opponents, there is an urgent need to find room for a reasonable compromise." - E.U. Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin.

Two years ago, a professor of mine said, "For every one negative/bad testimonial, it takes three positives to erase it". At the time, the statement surprised me.

While researching the benefits and dangers of GM foods to consumers, I found a host of statements on why people object to GM foods, however, I found no substantial evidence to support the claims.

If there is no evidence to support the adverse affects of GM products, then what is all the hype about? Could it be that the enthusiastic, embellished voice preaching the adverse affects of GMOs hasn't been fairly met by at least three proclamations on the behalf the positives? Let's investigate.

Consumer Benefits

A report released under the successive E.C. Framework Programs for Research and Technological Development from 1985 to 2000, on October 9, 2001, suggests that GM foods may be even safer than regular foods. The research has not found "any new risks to human health or the environment, beyond the usual uncertainties of conventional plant breeding," said the E.C., the E.U.'s executive branch. The report combines over 15 years of research, 81 projects and involves 400 teams from many different disciplines, and represents a combined Community financial contribution of about 70 million euros (US$ 63 million).

Another report, from a workshop held by External Advisory Groups, Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources, the E.U. Fifth Framework Program, September 10, 1999, states that, "many scientists and industry tend to see GM techniques as elegant, useful and essentially neutral or value-free, offering great potential benefits to mankind". Furthermore, the report goes on to address consumer views by adding, "the public's perception of risk may differ substantially from the scientists' view. The former is unwilling to accept what it perceives as an imposed risk".

Although anti-GMO voices seem strong, a translation of a press release put out by Konsumentforeningen Stockhom, the largest consumer organization in Sweden, released on October 30, 2001, reports that consumers in Stockholm, Sweden are less worried today about genetically modified food and its effect on human health and the environment than they were three years ago. Moreover, the survey reports:

• 80 % have faith in the information from scientists, universities and colleges, compared with only 63 percent in 1998.
• 73 per cent surveyed believe that producing food for individuals with food allergies (e.g. those who are lactose or gluten intolerant) is the most widely accepted purpose for genetically modified foods, compared with only 45 per cent in 1998.
• 70 per cent think that using gene technology is important if the application leads to decreasing the use of hazardous chemicals in farming, compared with only 36 per cent in 1998.

Factors that may influence consumer acceptance in the E.U. include the development of foods that maintain their quality for longer, offer health benefits, such as reduced allergenicity or an increase in mineral and vitamin content, environmental benefits, and the potential to help alleviate world hunger.

Maintaining quality

Tomatoes developed to stay firm for longer mean that consumers can eat vine-ripened tomatoes all year round at a lower cost.

Health benefits, such as reduced allergenicity, or an increase in vitamin or mineral content

"Indeed, the use of more precise technology and the greater regulatory scrutiny probably make them [GM plants and foods] even safer than conventional plants and food." - the European Commission.

GM technology can prevent against health problems linked with regular farming methods. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) laboratory studies show that pesticides can cause health problems such as birth defects, nerve damage, cancer and other effects that might occur over a long period of time. Some pesticides also pose unique health risks to children. In children, exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates.

In the U.S., the EPA regulates pesticide use. However, imports on agricultural commodities and food from developing countries are regulated by considerably lower standards. If developing nations are provided with GM technology to replace archaic DDT and the spraying of pesticides, both the importers food system and developing countries' planting areas are likely to face lower levels of toxicity.

GM technology can also help to improve health conditions in less developed countries. Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's Institute for Plant Sciences inserted genes from a daffodil and a bacterium into rice plants to produce a modified grain, golden rice, which has sufficient beta-carotene to meet total vitamin A requirements in developing countries. Golden rice, significantly improves vitamin uptake in poverty stricken areas where supplemental pills are costly and difficult to distribute. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) - part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) - worked with Swiss scientists to adapt golden rice to developing country conditions. The World Bank is the largest contributor to the CGIAR. The Swiss Research was conducted with funding from governments and not-for-profit organizations.

An FDA report says that the use of GM technology has provided many attributes for various foods and beverages. Research on genetically altered food has been successful in improving health in not only developing countries, but developed nations as well. Food scientists have utilized Amylase and other enzymes to reduce calories in beer. Thanks to this technology calorie-conscious consumers can enjoy 'light' beer. Moreover, genetically altered foods, such as cooking oil, have been produced to contain less saturated fat. This technology, therefore, has been successful in helping consumers combat high cholesterol, a condition prevalent in many developed countries.

Finally, although many consumers have expressed concerns that GM technology will create problems associated with food allergies, the FDA confirms, "all new genes or proteins that have been placed into foods through the tools of biotechnology that are on the market are non-toxic, rapidly digestible and do not have the characteristics of proteins known to cause allergies".

Environmental

Reducing pesticide use through genetic engineering could appeal to consumers. Not only can pesticide and chemical use in agriculture increase the toxicity of food, but aids to prevent contaminated runoff, which leaks into ground water. According to the U.S. FDA, "increases in adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybeans were associated with small increases in yields and variable profits, and significant decreases in herbicide use".

GM technology will help enable farmers to utilize environmentally sound practices. The U.S. Farm Bureau and Phillip Morris took a poll of U.S. farmers and consumers in August 1999. The results of the poll indicated that 73 per cent of U.S. consumers were willing to accept genetic engineering as a means of reducing chemicals used in food production. Furthermore, 68 per cent of people considered farm chemicals entering ground and surface water to be a major problem.

Although many anti-GMO activists claim GMOs pose a serious threat to the environment, in 15 years of testing, no unforeseen environmental effects have yet shown up, but even if they do, "these should be rapidly detected by existing monitoring systems", the European Commission said.

Further development of GM foods will help to alleviate hunger and aid in the development of less developing nations

The U.N. development program believes GM crops can benefit farmers and consumers. Without GM technology in agriculture the governing bodies of the U.N., E.U. and U.S. do not believe that the food needs of a rapidly growing world population will be met. The FDA says that GM foods will help feed needy people around the world and alleviate malnutrition and dietary deficiencies. By producing more food, farmers will be able to supply commodities at affordable prices, even to the poorest nations.

Not only will the development of GM technology increase food security, but it will also encourage technology transfer between developed and developing nations. Moreover, by utilizing GM technology, capital investments on farms are reduced. Therefore, by adopting GM technology, agricultural production becomes more profitable. The implication of lowering capital investments for farmers is substantial for developing nations working towards sustainable development.

Dangers

A report released by the European Commission separates consumer concerns under a range of headings.

• Effects on health
• Effects on the environment
• The socio-economic effect on rural communities
• The impact on developing countries
• Overall risk/benefit ratio
• Consumer choice
• Pro-organic/anti-intensive farming
• Ethical/moral issues
• Mistrust of multinationals
• Mistrust of U.S.-E.U. trade policy
• Misinformation via the media
• Perceived lack of transparency in and sometimes contradictory nature of scientific information

The following is a list of statements I have failed to find evidence to support. I would like to ask my readers to please send in any know facts, which support the following claims.

1. The U.S. is testing "very risky" GE technology on poor populations in developing countries
2. "Its deplorable that the government is willing to put economic gain before the health of the nation and has succumbed to the pressure of both international and local parties who have vested interest in this matter." Hemantha Witherange
3. Hypersensitivity, toxicity, allergies, increased antibiotic resistance, lower nutritional quality and the possibility of mutant-genetic effects.
4. "The French Government is proving that they have no regard for consumer safety, which is scandalous." Jose Bove
5. "The U.S. is trying to force-feed modified foods to the rest of the world, and it just isn't going to work." Charles Margulis of Greenpeace
6. Poor farmers will never see the benefits of GMOs because GMOs are owned by private, MNCs interested primarily in selling seeds for a profit to commercial growers.
7. GM technology will lead to widespread environmental damage and health problems.

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