In the past 50 years, the world population has over doubled in size, growing from approximately 3 billion to the current calculation of 7 billion. (Total Population) Current projections show no indication of population growth slowing down, as the global population is expected to reach just under 10 billion by the year 2050. (Total Population) With this astronomical jump in population, we must consider how we provide our species with the basic means to survive such as food, shelter, and water. Modern technology has allowed us to seek scientific ways to generate enough natural resources to support our population, but at what cost? Unfortunately, the significance of food technology is not common knowledge, when it is something that everyone should be interested in, as it affects us every day. 

Ever since I took Environmental Science during my freshman year of high school, this topic has always interested me. In class, we watched the documentary Food, Inc. which introduced me to this whole entire side of food production that I didn’t even know existed. Since then, I have always been interested in it, but it was not until my senior year of high school when I was given an important reason to be interested in food science. I had been having some random stomach problems for a while including constant stomachaches and headaches but could never figure out the reason behind it. I went in to get allergy tested, and found out that I was allergic to nearly everything I was eating. This diagnosis has caused me to have to examine everything I put into my body and has made me much more aware of the food technology industry. While I was researching why this happened to me, the most common topic I found popping up was Genetically Modified Organisms. Many farmers and food production companies have turned to genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) to increase their crop yield and boost profitability. Genetically Modified Organisms are defined by Monsanto as “taking a copy of a desired gene or section of genetic material from one plant or organism and inserting it into another plant.” Although these GMO’s may seem resourceful when examining the crop yields, many are unaware of the unhealthy effects it has on your health when consumed. With all of this in mind, how will we be able to sustain our vastly growing population while providing them with food that is safe for consumption? To create a genetically modified organism, scientists literally take an organism and modify its DNA to give it a better chance of surviving in unpredictable farming conditions. A big argument in support of GMO’s is that they produce a higher crop yield, however, studies have shown that this is not always the case. In an article written by Danny Hakim for The New York Times, he discusses the argument that GMO’s are as effective as some claim. (Hakim) Hakim says, “An analysis by The Times using United Nations data showed that the United States and Canada have gained no discernible advantage in yields — food per acre — when measured against Western Europe, a region with comparably modernized agricultural producers like France and Germany.” As Hakim says, there is no evidence substantial enough to confidently claim that GMO’s are doing what is promised for our society. 

Most arguments in support of genetically modified organisms contain two major components. The first component is that it produces a higher crop yield, and the second that it makes the crops resistant to insects and pesticides that frequently kill non-GMO plants. (Hakim) Unfortunately, over time, weeds have grown to become resistant to the weed-killers that GMO’s are supposed to protect against, so spraying the crops with pesticides only adds on to the negative effects that the crops have on their own. This has become a sort of “double-jeopardy” as GMO’s are so normalized in our society that it is unlikely to grow a product without using them, but seeing as they are “Round-Up Ready” we must also heavily treat them with pesticides. (Michaelis) 

Another negative effect we have seen since the widespread use of GMO’s begun is an increase in the diagnosis of allergies and other autoimmune disorders. (Porterfield) When foods are chemically changed from their original state, our bodies must break them down in different ways than they are used to. Studies have shown that living in the US actually increases the likeliness that you will develop allergies in your lifetime, as opposed to living in countries such as the UK, where GMO’s are not currently produced. (O’Brien) Unfortunately, some people’s bodies are unable to adjust to this, and instead attack its immune system in order to protect against the foreign object. This is an extremely dangerous situation, as allergies can cause anaphylaxis, closing of the throat, as well as other dangerous reactions. Modifying the genetic integrity of a product is unnatural, and removes certain nutrients such as Vitamin D, Omega-3, and antioxidants that our bodies need to function normally. (Why is Allergy Increasing?) On the Autoimmune topic, Michaelis cites Dr. Stephanie Seneff and Anthony Samsel quote with the claim that, “glyphosate, contributes to most of the diseases associated with the Western diet.” (Michaelis) FIND ACTUAL ARTICLE-- Glyphosate is an ingredient found in Round-up, a pesticide commonly used to treat GMO plants. MORE DESCRIPTION ON MONSANTO Monsanto, one of the largest GMO producing entities and users of Round-Up, claims that glyphosate is safe to ingest, and has no effect on the human body. However, other sources have found that their claims are incorrect, as Monstanto claims that glyphosate does not affect the genetic integrity of humans, only plants. We ingest plants on a daily basis, and therefore possess the same microbes in our body that are affected in plants. 

MICHAELIS ARTICLE ON AUTOIMMUNE

With GMO’s, we are producing food that is not naturally found in the environment, so why should we assume that it safe to eat? The recently released “Artic Apple” was created in hope to create and apple that never browns. (Hart) This apple is accompanied with herds of speculation on whether it is safe to consume. This apple does not occur naturally, and in my mind, modifying it so drastically takes away the fact that it is natural food.  ADD MORE

Genetically Modified Organisms are currently not allowed in the UK, but will likely soon be allowed. The British public believes that allowing GMO’s will be good for their economy, but an article by Robert Hart discusses how the British are largely unaware of the downsides to these GMOs. With Brexit currently working its way through British parliament, a main argument is for GMO’s to finally be allowed on a greater scale in the British farming industry. Currently, the only GMO product that the UK is allowed to produce is a weevil-resistant strain of maize. By eliminating the restrictions against GMO’s, the UK hopes to increase their trade with countries such as the US who they were unable to trade with before. (Hart) Although I do not agree with GMO’s, I do think that the trade restrictions due to their existence are not fair. Considering the fact that our planet relies on coexisting, it is unjust to restrict people from trading with others on any basis. Government should not interfere with businesses, as this is against our entire government structure. GET RID OF TRADE RESTRICTIONS

A main component of why people are so in support of genetically modified organisms are because they are uneducated on the pros and cons, and believe what the media tells them. Monsanto and the other large farming corporations have a large influence in the media, and are able to present their audience with facts in support of GMO’s, while hindering those who have differing views. Many articles I found also point towards relationships between Monsanto and the US Government. In an article written by Global Research, they include an interesting graphic that shows the relationship between politicians and their affiliations with Monsanto. Over 20 politicians are listed, including Justice Clarence Thomas and Former FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor, two high-ranking politicians with lots of sway in government matters. (Huff) These relationships have led many to question the integrity of the relationship between the US Government and Monsanto. Considering the governments stand on relationships with private industries, it is surely suspicious that the two seem to interact with each other so frequently. Smaller companies that are against genetically modified crops often don’t have enough funding to oppose GMO’s as strongly as many of the larger companies, especially when these large companies have a sway in everyday government operations. 

Considering that 85% of foods in grocery stores contain GMO’s, they are not easy to avoid. (Michaelis) At this point, we may have invested too much in this industry, and may not be able to fully return to our original, non-GMO society. That being said, we can surely take measures as a society to become more conscious of what we are investing our money and health in. The GMO movement has greatly come about in the last 3 decades, which in the grand scheme of things is not a large amount of time, and in theory, should be easy to revert.  Our society has a lot to gain from becoming more health conscious as a whole, and eliminating GMO’s is a promising start. 
