Should Genetically Modified food be the future?

[TerraMGP]

If we keep screwing with things then its going to get bad. Genetically modifying things and forcing radical changes are the kinds of things that pose long term risk to humanity. We don't know as much as we think we do. All the tampering with corn, for example, could end up producing corn that kills people who eat it. Imagine mad cow only worse because its a box of corn flakes and its out there in the genetics and in the fields and its even harder to maintain especially if animals get ahold of it and spread it elsewhere.

Yes its horrible to waste food, but its also horrible to put peoples lives at such a risk long term and screw with things we don't understand for the sake of making a buck.

 

[thenuminator]

people who are against geneticaly modified food are ignorant. its the future theres no way of stoping it. it would be like holding back a tidle wave. the fact of the mater is that in the future their wont be enough land to surport the poulation of the world without faster groth cycles and increassed nutritional value. also their have been medical break througs such as vitamin c in rice which could save over two million peoples lives a year.

people are just jumping on the bandwagon (my self included for a while) because it sounds bad. bur in reality its the only way for the human race to progress with the groth paterns we have today.

 

[hellthins]

If we keep screwing with things then its going to get bad. Genetically modifying things and forcing radical changes are the kinds of things that pose long term risk to humanity. We don't know as much as we think we do. All the tampering with corn, for example, could end up producing corn that kills people who eat it. Imagine mad cow only worse because its a box of corn flakes and its out there in the genetics and in the fields and its even harder to maintain especially if animals get ahold of it and spread it elsewhere.

Yes its horrible to waste food, but its also horrible to put peoples lives at such a risk long term and screw with things we don't understand for the sake of making a buck.

It's not for the sake of making a buck. Genetically modified food is responsible for saving lives in places where they CAN'T grow normal crops, or there simply isn't enough space for crops that haven't been dircetly modified.

Second, very unlikely. We can tell if corn becomes poisonous and dangerous very, very fast. GM crops go under a lot of testing to determine if its safe for consumption.

Third, we've been doing it for centuries. Your food is not normal. It's been tampered with. Your grapes, your corn, your wheat, your cherries, everything. It's all been bred for increased yield, taste, and ease of harvesting and consumption. You are eating crops bred to be super potent and super productive. The only difference is with genetic modification we can better control the results of breeding.

 

[Zer_]

Just watched Horizon on BBC iplayer. I was outraged by the footage of the anti-GM activists destroying fields of food. Destroying food, wasting food, is a sin. Not only are you destroying the products of someone else's hard work, you are destroying food that feed people. What makes these people think it is right to destroy GM crops?

I support GM crops, because with increasing yields, and tolerance for hard conditions, and reduced use of pesticides. GM is the technology that will feed the world, population grows exponentially, traditional food production can only grow linearly, without GM, the only solution is population control. I believe food should be cheap and affordable for everyone.

Is there really such resistance against GM crops? or is it just a vocal minority? What do you think?

The man who pioneered genetically modified crops is considered responsible for saving hundreds of millions of lives. Of course, even before we were modifying plants genetically we were playing our hand in their evolution by merging two types of plants together to yield new crops. This has been done for ages.

The only difference today is we are changing crops in more specific ways.

 

[Bob_Bobbington]

I don't really see what all the fus is about. Genetically moddified fod is fine. They don't make supper corn of killer rice they just put specific traits that make the crop more resistant of have greater yeild

 

[crimsondynamics]

Insects. And you have issues with GM crops. Hmmmmmm...

Firstly, the econlogical issue is that insects are vital to maintaining the ecosystem as is. Removing them would have catastophic effects on it- flowers would not be polinated, plant and animal waste would not rot, etc, etc.

Secondly, a good many insects are highly toxic to human consumption. That is why we don't eat them, and why most cultures that do are ones that developed in a place where there is little food (Like deserts)

Thirdly, the main issue is that many countrys, in particular Africa, are having too many children, and too many of them are surviving. Thus, as in accordance with Malthusian population dynamics, the population rapidly outstrips the optimum for efficency and eventually, the food supply itself, resulting in famie, disease and war.

Fourthly: How doth one plan to farm insects? Ah, an issue.

I have an issue with GM crops because there have yet to be any conclusive evidence that show it is harmful or benign - just like mobile phones ( I also have issues with mobile phones, just like your typical neurosurgeon who avoids holding a mobile phones against his / her ear). There simply hasn't been enough time transpired for us to effectively gauge what long-term effects may arise, if any. Insects, on the other hand, are natural, just like the food you and I have ate since we were born, and before GM foods were introduced. Why would I have an issue with insects then? It's food, plain and simple. Animals - and humans - have eaten them since time immemorial.

First, insects are vital to the entire food chain, that is correct. I am not suggesting we go and pick them right out of their natural habitats. That would be both horribly inefficient and potentially devastating to the ecosystem. Sustainable farming, on the other hand, is a perfectly viable alternative, and is a practice we've been engaged in since we discovered agriculture and animal husbandry. Case in point: files are currently being sustainably bred today in 100% hygienic conditions in order to "harvest" the larvae that are hatched. The maggots are used in hospitals around the world, including the USA, for treating heavily-infected sores (since the maggots only eat the dead tissue while leaving the live tissue untouched, a perfect way to cleanse near-gangrenous wounds).

Second, nobody is suggesting that we eat toxic insects. In fact, why eat anything toxic at all? There are poisonous mushrooms but we don't tend to find them in supermarkets - at least, I hope not. We also know better than to eat poisonous mushrooms - why would we eat poisonous caterpillars, as an example? However, there are perfectly edible - and nutritious, and even delicious insects that are perfectly suitable for human consumption. And about desert regions tending to eat insects, I've had insects were in Colombia, Ecuador, Taiwan and Thailand. None of those countries are known for their deserts.

Your third point doesn't directly relate to insect consumption but to overpopulation and naturally regulating mechanisms as a whole, so I won't comment.

Fourth, it's not an issue at all. Like I said, I've eaten fried crickets and they are sourced from cricket farms, just like there are earthworm farms for live bait and fly / maggot farms for medical use. There are even ant farms that are sold to children as science projects. Insects are farmed all over the world for different purposes, including food.

 

[GothmogII]

Man should not play god. You'll all regret it when we're overrun by genetically modified corn men!


Seriously though, as long as the safeguards are observed (and I have no reason to believe they won't), I'm all for GM foods. If we can get more for less, for cheaper and with less risk of disease or other ill effects, awesome.

 

[Ken Korda]

I agree that in generl genenticlly modified products are beneficial and I am happy to eat GM food. My only concern with the process is the potential fo GM products to cross breed with wild plants. For instance, a crop which is bred to resist a specifc insect cross breeds with a wild plant. Then the next geenration of this wild plant inherits the gene to remain resistant and suddenly coes to dominate its habitat expanding outside its ecological niche and disrupting the entire ecosystem. I'm sure this can be prevented at the creation of these artificial plants and as long as this situation is avoided I am a complete supporter of GM food.
A lot of people have said we don't know enough about GM products. I think the porblem is perhaps that you don't know enough about GM porducts. I am sure that the engineers who create these organisms are well aware of the potential to do harm and avidly avoid it.

 

[GothmogII]

I agree that in generl genenticlly modified products are beneficial and I am happy to eat GM food. My only concern with the process is the potential fo GM products to cross breed with wild plants. For instance, a crop which is bred to resist a specifc insect cross breeds with a wild plant. Then the next geenration of this wild plant inherits the gene to remain resistant and suddenly coes to dominate its habitat expanding outside its ecological niche and disrupting the entire ecosystem. I'm sure this can be prevented at the creation of these artificial plants and as long as this situation is avoided I am a complete supporter of GM food.
A lot of people have said we don't know enough about GM products. I think the porblem is perhaps that you don't know enough about GM porducts. I am sure that the engineers who create these organisms are well aware of the potential to do harm and avidly avoid it.

Hmm, however, that has less to do with genetic modification and more with control. For example, there have been numerous times in history where a non-indigenous species or plant is introduced to an environment and quickly takes over the native species.

However, there have been incidents that have been more directly related i.e. something more close to engineered e.g. the Africanized honey bee. Which was a crossbreed designed to thrive in tropical environments. However it worked a little too well. And as an added fun bonus these bees tend to be far more aggressive than other types. Hence the dub 'Killer Bees'.

Apparently they spread all the way up into North American and presumably continue to do so to this day hehe ^^'

 

[crimsondynamics]

I agree that in generl genenticlly modified products are beneficial and I am happy to eat GM food. My only concern with the process is the potential fo GM products to cross breed with wild plants. For instance, a crop which is bred to resist a specifc insect cross breeds with a wild plant. Then the next geenration of this wild plant inherits the gene to remain resistant and suddenly coes to dominate its habitat expanding outside its ecological niche and disrupting the entire ecosystem. I'm sure this can be prevented at the creation of these artificial plants and as long as this situation is avoided I am a complete supporter of GM food.
A lot of people have said we don't know enough about GM products. I think the porblem is perhaps that you don't know enough about GM porducts. I am sure that the engineers who create these organisms are well aware of the potential to do harm and avidly avoid it.

I wouldn't be too sure of that. Just look at the tobacco industry:
http://www.tobacco.org/News/970525helms.html

Or Monsanto:

"Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is FDA's job."
- Michael Pollan, Monsanto spokesman
(Michael Pollan (1998-10-25). "Playing God in the Garden", The New York Times Magazine, p. Section 6; Page 44.)

Or China:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7701477.stm

These are corporations we are talking about, and making money is the only agenda they pursue. You cannot assume corporations are looking after your best interests, because they aren't. They are only looking after their own bottom line.

Put another way, I trust the scientists far more than the corporations themselves. The big tobacco case is a prime example of what happens when scientific ethics goes agains corporate gain.

 

[Najos]

The problem is that we don't know about long term effects of GM food. I'm all for feeding the hungry but not if it will cause long term health problems. Most of what is considered GM food is simply hybrids of naturally occurring crops but anything this new and untested could have long term effects that no one even suspects. Asbestos was a breakthrough in fire prevention and safety, it was meant to save live and now it's a dangerous killer. I'm not saying GM food will be held in the same regard as asbestos but I don't think we know enough about the long term effects for wide spread use.

You know what the long term effect of hunger is?

I think GM foods are awesome. Give me cheaper food please.

 

[Ken Korda]

I apprciate that many international industires do not always act in an ethical manner. However, with the case of food if people who consumed a corporations products began dying or getting ill that business would soon be bankrupt. Cigarettes are a differnet case because people are addicted to them and there is nowhere elso to get them other from tobacco companies. I realise that I am myself addicted to food but if my food caused me to become dead I would be upset. If my cigarette made me dead I would deserve what I got.
Additionally, there are independent organisations whih monitor food safety and standards, at leat in the developing world, which, in general are looking out for the health of the consumers. It could be argued that these organisations are subject to pressure from industry also but if you take this route how can you trust any food you buy form a shop? If you do not trust government health and safety standards then the only things you can safely eat are products you have grown yourself

 

[dukethepcdr]

All food is genetically modified. That is what generations of selective breeding really is. It's only in the last 20 years or so, that scientists have come up with faster ways to achieve the same result. There is nothing wrong or bad about "GM" food. You eat it every day whether you know it or not. It cracks me up when I see a package that claims it contains no "GMOs". If you want a non-genetically modified food, go out in the woods and look for wild berries, roots and herbs. You won't find any non-GMOs in the grocery store.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Let me see...

We don't know vs. Starving people.

Now, on a personal note I'd much rather let the African orphans starve, on the principle that I live in Africa, and people here breed a damn sight too much. But weighing it on the basis of cultural morality, then starving people outweight middle-class uneasiness.

Besides, cheaper food is great for the economy. Lowers the cost of living, pushing living standards up, diverts spending toother areas of the economy, resulting in increased aggregate demand and forces farmers to become competetive. WIN!


And corn that kills people who eat it? Why, what a splendid product! There must be near-infinite quantites of demand for this (If only once). [/irony]

And as for the DDT arguments: By banning DDT usuage, the West has condemned hundreds of thousands of people to a painful, lingering death. How. Because DDT is the only pesticide that can guarantee to kill the female Anophalles mosquite. What is this? The malarial vector. Congratulations! Your moralistic hand-wringing has succeded in causing more damage than any insane dictator could possibly dream of!

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

The problem is that we don't know about long term effects of GM food.

Well, given that Peppermint is a GM food, 'hybrid' is the old term. I think we have a reasonable idea.

Or we can pick Loganberries, Bengal Cats, Mules, Beefalo, Ligers, Tigrons, and most types of Dog or Wheat.

GM just means, as Jim_doki says, now we do it in a lab.

 

[Azhrarn-101]

In the netherlands they're running large scale experiments to see if "cross polination" is an issue with GM crops and normal ones. (mainly the frequently added resistance genes. If those end up in weeds it gets problematic) They are however allowed, providing the consumer is notified on the packaging that the product contains Genetically Engineered foods.

As for the Peppermint Root mentioned, the hybrids are not done through modern genetic engineering, but by careful crossbreeding of compatible species.
The potential problem with GM crops is the stuff you add to it. (these are usually introduced through virusses or retro-virusses to insert the DNA, these pieces are however easier to transfer out again because of the way this works, and many bacteria can do just that)

 

[AuntyEthel]

I'm completely against the use of GM foods. Now excuse me while I ride away on my penny-farthing to protest women having the vote.

Now, on a personal note I'd much rather let the African orphans starve, on the principle that I live in Africa, and people here breed a damn sight too much. But weighing it on the basis of cultural morality, then starving people outweight middle-class uneasiness.

You live in South Africa, where the consequences of mass starvation hasn't ever been seen. Theres a massive difference between hungry homeless dudes on the street, and mass famines in Ethiopia, Somalia etc, where malnutrition, kwashiorkor etc affects millions of people. To deny these people food that they would gladly accept, GM or not, is kinda cruel. The notion that Africans breed too much is rascist. Apartheid ended, y'know. You don't have to believe supremist arguements anymore.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

You live in South Africa, where the consequences of mass starvation hasn't ever been seen.

Uh, Ethel. Next door to you? Potato famine...

Eww genetically modified, organic FTW.

LMAO. So you're willing to pay extra for food that is a hybrid but not GM coz it's icky?

C'mon, there hasn't been any 'organic' food since the 40's.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

If we keep screwing with things then its going to get bad. Genetically modifying things and forcing radical changes are the kinds of things that pose long term risk to humanity. We don't know as much as we think we do. All the tampering with corn, for example, could end up producing corn that kills people who eat it. Imagine mad cow only worse because its a box of corn flakes and its out there in the genetics and in the fields and its even harder to maintain especially if animals get ahold of it and spread it elsewhere.

Yes its horrible to waste food, but its also horrible to put peoples lives at such a risk long term and screw with things we don't understand for the sake of making a buck.

Agreed.

Fiddling around with genetics has never been a good idea. Humans are stupid and foolish creatures, caring more about profits and opportunities to screw each other over than doing anything positive for the world. Even if everything about genetically modified food works according to plan (and when was the last time that happened?) the possibilies for abuse are mind-blowing.

Mega-corporations owning food monopolies now? Look at things such as gas prices and the cost of health, you want food to become just another economic factor controlled by business execs?

http://www.takingitglobal.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=5711

Fact is, genetically modified foods are engineered such that they possess what is known as the chain termination sequence. Pioneered by a British Biochemist, Fredrick Sanger, the process (also called the Sanger or the dideoxy process) manipulates the plants? genetic structure such that it cannot produce a viable offspring. This means that after the first harvest, a farmer has to go back to the seed vendor and buy a fresh supply of seeds from the patent holding company for planting since the first produce can only be consumed and not be successfully re-grown. This therefore creates a complete dependence on the companies for the continuous supply of seeds.

This isn't some possibility being spoken by a tinfoil hat wearing internet conspiracy theorist, this is happening now. They say it is for reasons of research, that they don't want the GM crops to spread into the wild, etc etc... but the fact of the matter is they are profitting from creating about the most amoral business model I have ever seen - "We could supply you with normal crops, but we prefer it this way. Pay us or starve."

 

[crimson5pheonix]

For us non-UK people what is GM crops?

Genetically Modified crops. They are available in most first world countries including Canada.

Eww genetically modified, organic FTW.

Organic food isn't any healthier for you than GM crops. GM crops are just cheaper.