Ecological Implications of GMOs
GMOs and the Biosphere: A Positive Relationship
The technology behind Genetically Modified Organisms is still relatively new, and the debate surrounding GMO’s is intensifying. GMO’s are neither inherently good nor bad, but rather dependent on how people use the technology. Although its risks are less predictable, the potential economic, social, health, and environmental benefits are significant and far reaching.
Genetically Modified Organisms present a unique opportunity for increasing human population and improving the socio-economics of our communities on a multilateral basis. From third world countries to the most developed, the possible benefits are limitless. By 2050, researchers project that the demand for crop production will double. GMO’s explicitly seek to improve crop efficiency. “The cultivation of herbicide-resistant soybeans, Bt maize and Bt cotton, for instance, has led to yield improvements of 10 – 30% in some regions of the United States and Asia compared to conventional crop varieties” (1). This alleviates the basic problem of hunger and increases life expectancy. Genetically modified stress-resistant plants address issues such as heat, drought, or salt that pose problems for farmers in harsh climates. “Farmers have also benefited from pesticide savings of between 30% and 70% for Bt maize and Bt cotton that have further reduced their crop management costs”(2). These savings translates to greater affordability for populations across the globe.
Moving forward, it is imperative that we shift the focus from profitability towards sustainability and ecological safety. Minimizing ecological damage, presents plenty of opportunities for major life-sciences firms such as Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Monsanto. For example, research into the production of “sterile ferals,” aims to resolve the argument that GMO species escape into the wild and become pests, by creating new species that are unable to survive in the wild. GMOs are designed to utilize less land and with less water. This would reverse the current trend of clearing more land, replacing it instead with intensified crop yields, thus preventing further land damage and biodiversity decline. GMO’s also prevent soil erosion. ”In some regions of the United States, no-till cultivation of GM soybeans is thought to have reduced erosion by 90%. No tillage also means that less machinery and fuel is required to cultivate the fields, which reduces harmful traffic on wet soil and cuts greenhouse gas emissions”(3) All these benefits are still only the tip of the iceberg for an industry with enormous potential for society.
Negative Effects of GMOs on the biosphere
While biotechnology has provided us a way to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for food and other organic products without depleting all of our resources in the process. However, we must also evaluate the costs of this increased efficiency. It may take years before we ever learn what all of the negative effects of GMOs are on humans and the biosphere as a whole. However, it is certain that the integration and spread of genetically modified organisms in our environment is going to have a lasting effect that could alter Earth’s living systems forever. Has biotechnology allowed us to open Pandora’s box by way of genetically modifying the living things in our world?
Some of the harmful effects of genetically altered foods have already been discovered, and they are very frightening and significant. One example is genetically modified wheat. Experts say that the GM wheat currently in development by an Australian governmental research agency could, if ingested, shut down certain genes, leading to premature death or risk thereof to multiple generations. The GM wheat developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) using public funds is engineered to turn off genes permanently. The organization’s intent to turn off wheat genes, however, could affect human and animal genes.'Through ingestion, these molecules can enter human beings and potentially silence our genes,’ says Professor Jack Heinemann of the University of Canterbury’s Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety. His report was published in Digital Journal.”
Genetically modified organisms have also been shown to cause infertility in both men and women, eliminate native crops, and destroy the diversity of species. Furthermore, it disables pollination of natural plants such as corn through transgene insertion and enables hybrid species to be created for the market. Transgenic maize has the ability to resist pests and herbicides, but it may consequently affect other organisms in the same proximity in a negative way. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are common microscopic soil fungi that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of most plants. Plants supply the fungi with carbon, and the fungi increase the host plant's ability to uptake nutrients and water from the surrounding soil. Because these fungi rely on a plant host for nutrition and reproduction, they may be sensitive to genetic changes within a plant, such as insect-resistant Bt corn.
Some of the harmful effects of genetically altered foods have already been discovered, and they are very frightening and significant. One example is genetically modified wheat. Experts say that the GM wheat currently in development by an Australian governmental research agency could, if ingested, shut down certain genes, leading to premature death or risk thereof to multiple generations. The GM wheat developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) using public funds is engineered to turn off genes permanently. The organization’s intent to turn off wheat genes, however, could affect human and animal genes.'Through ingestion, these molecules can enter human beings and potentially silence our genes,’ says Professor Jack Heinemann of the University of Canterbury’s Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety. His report was published in Digital Journal.”
Genetically modified organisms have also been shown to cause infertility in both men and women, eliminate native crops, and destroy the diversity of species. Furthermore, it disables pollination of natural plants such as corn through transgene insertion and enables hybrid species to be created for the market. Transgenic maize has the ability to resist pests and herbicides, but it may consequently affect other organisms in the same proximity in a negative way. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are common microscopic soil fungi that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of most plants. Plants supply the fungi with carbon, and the fungi increase the host plant's ability to uptake nutrients and water from the surrounding soil. Because these fungi rely on a plant host for nutrition and reproduction, they may be sensitive to genetic changes within a plant, such as insect-resistant Bt corn.
Relations to case study
What were the negative effects on the environment seen in the case study? Unfortunately, Lyle Tate's contaminated crop is an example of how GMOs can cause harm to the surrounding area. Farmer Tate's crop was contaminated by cross-pollination. This is a great way to understand how these negative implications can translate to parties which had no say in the matter. Farmer Tate did not choose to use the genetically modified corn, yet his crop now falls under violation of EPA regulations as well. it is important to remember that choosing to take risks with the environment effects everybody around us, here exemplified by Farmer Tate's contaminated crops due to his neighbor's use of modified seeds. The negative implications must be understood in order for farmers such as Farmer Tate's neighbor to understand the risks involved in using genetically modified crops. Farmer Tate is an example of a bystander suffering from the regulations imposed to try to curb the negative implications, such as the extreme example of Eric's death.
Critical Thinking Questions
1.How can GMO technology be applied to developing economies and third world countries?
2. What do major life-sciences firms stand to gain by turning away from profitablity and towards ecological sustainability?
Works Cited
citations 1-3
"What is sustainable farming?." GMO Compass. N.p., 18 2012. Web. 12 Nov 2012.
Other Works Used
Hund, Richard. "Genetically modified corn affects its symbiotic relationship with non-target soil organisms." EurekAlert!. The Botanical Society of America, 17 2012. Web. 9 Nov 2012.
Garber, Lisa. "GM Wheat May Permanently Alter Human Genome, Spark Early Death." InfoWars. N.p., 25 2012. Web. 10 Nov 2012.
"What is sustainable farming?." GMO Compass. N.p., 18 2012. Web. 12 Nov 2012.
Other Works Used
Hund, Richard. "Genetically modified corn affects its symbiotic relationship with non-target soil organisms." EurekAlert!. The Botanical Society of America, 17 2012. Web. 9 Nov 2012.
Garber, Lisa. "GM Wheat May Permanently Alter Human Genome, Spark Early Death." InfoWars. N.p., 25 2012. Web. 10 Nov 2012.