Food for Thought

Genetically modified foods (GM foods) are crops that are created for human or animal consumption by altering the genetic makeup of living organisms such as animals, plants, or bacteria. Modifying these organisms can enhance desired traits including an increased resistance to herbicides and improved nutritional content (Bren). GM foods have great potential but, at the same time, are causing much controversy.

There are four primary methods of gene transfer. One method, which is primarily used in animals, is called injection. The desired DNA is injected with a very small, sharp needle into the nucleus of a single cell (Whitman). This cell is usually a fertilized egg, which can then be placed back in the female uterus where the injected cell is allowed to develop normally. Unfortunately there is a high rate of failure when using this technique because cells infrequently take up and express the desired traits of the introduced DNA (Whitman).

The second method, known as biolistics is used in the genetic modification of plants and involves shooting new genes into the potential host. Microscopic particles of gold or titanium are coated in the DNA sections that are to be introduced to the host (Whitman). These are loaded into cartridges (similar to shotgun cartridges), which are then fired at the plant cells. The process relies on some of the microscopic particles entering this cell nuclei and their DNA coating combining with the plant chromosomes (Whitman).

The third method called vectors can be used in both plants and animals. It involves a bacteria or virus carrying a new gene into a cell using a modification of what is already occurring in nature. Common vectors in gene transfer between plants are Agro bacterium tumefaciens and Agro bacterium rhizogenes (Wilm). These bacteria are usually found in the soil and if they infect plants will respectively cause galls or hairy roots through introducing some of their own DNA into the plant. The Agro bacterium transfer the DNA as a plasmid, a small circular piece of DNA, which is separate to the main bacterial chromosome (Wilm). Genetic engineering makes use of this natural transfer of DNA through replacing a section of the bacteria’s own DNA with a gene which scientists would like to introduce to a new host (Whitman).

The fourth method, protoplast transformation, is also commonly used in plants. The cellulose in the plant wall is dissolved away using enzymes, leaving a protoplast. DNA can then be added to the protoplast, which are then cultured on a growth media. This encourages the protoplast to re-grow cell walls and eventually grow into a transgenic plant (Wilm).

The world population is over 6.5 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 years. GM foods have the potential to ensure a sufficient food supply for the world’s growing population because of its numerous advantages. Losses caused by insect pests can be devastating for farmers and can cause starvation in developing countries. Farmers usually apply many tons of chemical pesticides each year, however consumers do no like to eat food treated with pesticides because of potential health hazards. By growing genetically modified foods, farmers can eliminate the need to apply chemical pesticides and even reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market (Genetically Engineered).

Many farmers also spray large quantities of herbicides, or weed-killers, on their crops, however the process is very time-consuming and expensive and requires a great amount of care in order to prevent the herbicide from harming the crop or the environment. Genetically engineered crops that are resistant to these herbicides can prevent damage to the environment by reducing the amount of herbicides needed to destroy unwanted weeds. Monsanto has created a strand of genetically modified soybeans that are not affected by their herbicide product Roundup. The soybeans only require one application of weed-killer rather than multiple applications, therefore reducing production cost and preventing environmental damage (Whitman).

Malnutrition is common among impoverished nations where peoples rely on a single crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain sufficient amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, we could lessen the number of nutrient deficiencies (Bren). For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in third world countries. Swiss Researchers have created a strain of "golden" rice, which contain an abnormally high amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A). Because this rice was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, which is a non-profit organization, the Swiss Institute hopes to offer the golden rice seed free to any third world country that requests it (Genetically Modified).

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