Question

What are some of the potential problems of using GMOs in the food supply?

Answer 1

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF USING GMO’S IN THE FOOD SUPPLY

GMO – GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Are organisms with altered genetic material using genetic engineering.

They are commonly used in foods and medicines – and it has led to different concerns regarding the dangers that they cause to the environment and human health.

In agriculture the crops are modified in such a way that they can withstand the weedicide /herbicide ;that are sprayed in the field to kill the weed.So when the herbicides are applied; crops will not be affected and weeds will be killed.

Another application of using GMO’s in food industry – which is not so common – is to increase the nutritional content of the crops – Eg – Soya beans,Corns - are genetically modified so as to increase the nutritional content.

First GMO – created in the year – 1973

After so many years of research and experiments –GMO’s were introduced to farmers.In 1990 – genetically modified foods were began to available in stores.

EXAMPLES

GOLDEN RICE – GMO with enriched Vitamin A.

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Enriched with vitamin A	Since development of GMO needs highly sophisticated technologies and instruments ;poor countries will not be able to produce them and have to depend on developed countries.
Since enriched with Vitamin A – hence will beneficial for the people in developing and underdeveloped countries ;especially for children.
Vitamin A enrichment prevents blindness

SWEET CORN – GMO highly resistant to insecticides.

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
No need of using insecticides anymore.	Insects gradually can become more resistant to the insecticides and this will cause more danger.
Farmers don't have to buy the insecticides and the money needed for buying insecticides is a gain.	As the insects are affected it includes butterfly too.So as a result butterflies may lead to extinction.So this is a great threat for them.
Soil texture will not be affected by the toxic nature of the insecticides and humans also not have to deal with them.

Long – lasting Tomatoes - are GMO’s developed with increased shell life.

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
They remains fresher for a longer time than the usual time.	They are resistant to antibiotics,so people consuming them also will get affected due to this antibiotic resistant nature.As when these people are affected with any disease ,doctors prescribe antibiotics and this will not be effective for them.
Since they remains fresher for a longer time ,they can tolerate a lengthier transport time.

PROBLEMS IN GENERAL

They are unacceptable to some groups to copy genes.

They interferes the food chain and food web.

GMO crops sometimes can cause allergic reactions.

It can lead to unpredictable outcomes or side effects.

Harmful Effects on Crops:

• The GMO crops which the farmers plant in their fields have the same genetic make-up; so when Cross-pollination happens among such plants and other plants can increase the risk of contamination.

• The Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt genes present in the GM crops kill the insects like bees, ladybird beetles, butterflies, etc. Thus, helpful organisms are also affected along with the pest.