GMO: Genetically modified organism. A GMO is any animal, plant or other living thing that has had its genetics permanently altered, generally intentionally by humankind (although this definition is slightly up for debate). GMOs can be found in a wide range of products, but their presence is most pronounced and controversial in food.
Theoretically, GMOs could solve a wide range of the world's food production problems. The potential to improve the shelf life of foods, crop resistance to pests and bad weather and make foods grow quicker and in greater quantities are all benefits of genetic alteration. Concerns over fruits being bruised during transport, whole harvests being lost due to an early frost and drought-prone areas not being able to grow food could very well all be concerns of the past. What a wonderful world it could be.
But as Yogi Berra said, "in theory there is no difference between theory and pratice. In practice there is."
GMOs are not living up to the hype. The reason? A mercilessly oligopolistic industry. The majority of research and funding is provided by the private sector, which (despite what their spokespeople say) is not developing GMO foods for the public good. A small handful of companies have ownership title of almost all the GMO crops. Canadians will be familiar with the corporation Monsanto.
Having so few companies dominate one industry is rarely a good thing. Prices of GMO seeds and the products needed to grow the seeds (which are conveniently supplied by the same companies) are outrageously high and often are only applicable to cash crops consumed in the "rich" world. Some companies have even developed specific seeds that only work once, removing the ability for farmers to "save seeds" (a popular practice among farmers) and leaving farmers dependent on that company.
GMOs have environmental risks, too. As you make crops more resistant to pests, the pests adapt. As a result, increasingly potent levels of resistance are required and in all likelihood pests will continue to adapt. This resistance arms race could go on forever will devastating consequences (picture Mothra, the giant moth monster from Godzilla movies).
Furthermore, seeds tend to mix fairly easily, which is a natural occurrence on the planet. The natural ecosystems of the world have tended to adapt and often flourish with seed mixtures. But when genetically modified seeds start getting transplanted and mingle with everything, trouble brews very quickly. Several studies have confirmed that butterfly populations have fallen significantly after coming into contact with GMO crops. The ripple effects could be very large and a reduction in overall biodiversity would be a very bad thing.
I highly recommend everyone read Brian Halweil's "The Emperor's New Crops". It's short and is one of the best descriptions of the way GMO industries work, although it is slightly dated.
The question I ask is where we should go next with GMOs? The private sector will continue to exploit the industry. After all, it's a huge money maker. But governments in Europe require labelling of GMO products, which is sure to batter the industry. Canada doesn't have such a requirement, so perhaps we should start there.
Education is also a key. Very few people know the true nature of the industry, which can probably be chalked up to marketing campaigns from the company themselves.
But from a grander fundamental point of view, are GMOs something that we should even pursue?
We're able to grow our food in a sustainable manner (ex. organic, local farming), which could theoretically be applied throughout the world. Moreover, a great share of experts argue that the world's hunger problems are not an issue of food production (the world produces 1.5 times more food than needed for the world's population), but rather an issue of access and distribution. Considering GMOs might draw us away from considering the solutions to those problems and may, as the industry currently stands, actually exacerbate those access problems as farmers have less money to buy food after paying for the high-priced seeds.
Regardless of how difficult it would be from a realistic standpoint, should we simply ban GMOs altogether? I think it could be something to consider.
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