The Disturbing Truth about Genetically Modified Foods in America

The Disturbing Truth About
Genetically Modified Foods in America
West Coast University

Abstract
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) showed up in rural America in the mid 1990s. Many American’s are concerned for the farmers, the environment, and the potential health risks of GMOs and are demanding more studies and tests be done before allowing these organisms to be consumed. People around the world have protested for the right to safe food, however, nothing has been done to change government policies. U.S. biotech companies, like Monsanto, are the first to hold a patent on food and are making sure there are no restrictions to sending GMOs out into the marketplace. In this research paper, I will give you an in depth look into the GMO industry and the effects it has on the environment, the farmers, and our health.

The Disturbing Truth About
Genetically Modified Foods in America Over the past decade, there has been an outcry over the genetically modified (GM) food industry in America. Some believe that farmers are being forced to use only GM seeds instead of conventional ones. Others claim that GM seeds could have unforeseen effects on wildlife. Still most are criticizing our government’s food safety standards and feel there may be health risks on the people who consume GM foods. Concerns like these and many more regarding GM seeds and foods are being asked by many people. I’m going to discuss the truth about GM seeds and foods and open your eyes to the real effect this industry has on our farmers, the environment, and most of all, our health. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources and combine them into one molecule, creating a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified genes. Genetically modified seeds, such as corn, can then be used to produce everything from high fructose corn syrup to batteries. To begin with, genetically modified seeds showed up between 1997 and 1999 in America’s Midwest farmland and have been gaining prominence over conventional seeds ever since. Farmer’s have been stuck in the cross fire between government subsidies to produce more crop and the activists fighting to shut down the biotech companies that produce GM seeds. One biotech company that has played a big part in the GM seeds industry is Monsanto. Monsanto is a chemical company, located in Missouri, and the original producer of the toxic chemical, Agent Orange, used in the Vietnam War. It is also the world’s leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed as “Roundup” weed killer. For the first time in history, companies like Monsanto can hold patents on food. Monsanto’s GM seeds are called “Round Up Ready” because they are immune to the pesticide, “Round Up”. Farmers can then kill nearby weeds with Monsanto’s weed killer without killing crops. However, in order to use Monsanto’s seeds, a farmer must first sign an agreement that limits what can be done with the seeds. Farmers are not allowed to save seeds for the following year, typically done in traditional farming. Instead, they must purchase new seeds from Monsanto every year, and at a price Monsanto sets. If a farmer fraudulently saves or grows Monsanto’s GM seeds, they will be prosecuted for patent infringement (Collins, 2009). In addition, many farmers claim they that have been wrongly accused by Monsanto for the use of their GM seeds, when in fact most of these cases were due to wind drift and contamination of crops that were out of the farmer’s control. Because of the patent, it doesn’t matter where the seeds came from or how it got there - patented holder, Monsanto, now owns those crops which helps give them control of the food industry (Bad Seed, 2006). Furthermore, Monsanto has a staff of 75 private investigators and an annual budget of $10 billion ready and willing to sue farmers who aren’t paying patent royalties owed to Monsanto. They have brought cases against 351 farmers and 47 small businesses or farm companies and have been awarded judgments totaling over $16 million dollars, most of which have been settled out of court (Cummins, 2008). This multi-billion dollar company currently sells 90% of the world’s GM seeds, and that has farmers in the U.S. and in other parts of the world frightened. In addition to the patent of Monsanto’s new biotechnology seeds, the Department of Agriculture began subsidizing farmers to use GM seeds, and this was enthusiastically endorsed by Congress in June of 2000. Congress agreed to give farmers a break on federal crop insurance if they planted crops that resist pests and produce higher yields, making them less vulnerable to crop failures, and U.S. taxpayers less vulnerable to large insurance payouts (Shapley, 2007). This new subsidiary completely changed the way agriculture and farming operates in our world today. To insure government help, farmers began producing an overabundant amount of crops, driving prices down and keeping farmers globally at poverty level. Subsequently, in order to financially survive, farmers have no choice but to use GM seeds so they may receive government subsidiaries. Sadly, farmers today are making about the same amount of money on a bushel of corn than they were 40 years ago. Another issue critics of GM seeds are talking about is the environment and wildlife. Scientists and activists all over the world are concerned about the unknown side effects that GM seeds will have on the environment. In 1996, only 2% of soybeans came from Monsanto’s GM seeds. Today, over 90% of soybeans in the U.S. come from Monsanto (Food, Inc., 2009). These numbers suggest that the GM industry growth is far too substantial not to have more scientific studies and tests done. When a group of scientists in Great Britain decided to commission a study on the recent increase in deaths of the monarch butterfly, they took a closer look at genetically modified rapeseed, sugar beets, maize, and winter rapeseed. Although field tests on the GM maize showed no harm on wildlife, the other GM crops did indeed have a harmful effect. It turns out, in the fields where the GM winter rapeseed grew, the number of butterflies dropped by up to two thirds compared to fields with traditional seeds (Gay, 2008). In 2002, over 800 scientists from around the world signed an open letter expressing their concern about the safety of GMOs and called for a ban on bio-patents. However, nothing was ever discussed or debated, and GM seeds still continue to grow in America’s fields today (Bad Seed, 2006). Finally, the concern over the consumption of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is one of the biggest controversies happening today. Americans don’t have a clue whether or not they are eating GM foods because, unlike other countries, the U.S. doesn’t require foods containing GMOs to be labeled. Many Americans are disgusted by the standards the FDA has set for biotech companies like Monsanto and there has been an out pore of activists protesting on just this one issue. Why not label all food packaging containing GMOs and let consumers decide for themselves if they want to consume it? Perhaps one reason is because Monsanto and the government both know that if they were to label foods containing GMOs, products would most likely sit on grocery store shelves. In June of 2003, scientists reported that inserting a new DNA gene sequence into crops had actually changed the DNA order. They had re-scrambled, changing them into different varieties, which made them dangerously unstable. Another study done in the U.K., headed by Dr. Arpad Pustai, found that rats fed GM potatoes showed an abnormal thickening of their stomach lining. Despite the fact that studies have shown GM foods to be highly dangerous to our health, no safety testing whatsoever is required by biotech companies like Monsanto (Bad Seed, 2006). In the meantime, we ask ourselves how these extremely important studies slip through the cracks of our government. Is it due to the fact that Margaret Miller, Chemical Lab Supervisor for Monsanto (1985-1989), happens to also be the Branch Chief for the FDA (1989-present)? Or maybe it’s because Monsanto’s attorney, Clarence Thomas (1976-1979), also happens to be the U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1991-present) (Food Inc., 2009). Conflict of interest like these are jeopardizing all the necessary safety tests and standards that people demand from our government. It’s no wonder that over 60% of the food currently on grocery store shelves in the U.S. & Canada contain ingredients from GM crops without labeling. In conclusion, when it comes to genetically modified foods, there are so many ways you can help the farmers, the environment, and you and your family’s health. Look for food labels that read “NO GMOs” on their packaging. If it doesn’t say “No GMOs”, then most likely it contains GM ingredients. Shop at your local Farmer’s Market for fresh meat and produce. Choose to eat in by cooking fresh wholesome foods with your family every night. And most of all, only buy organic foods. It’s obviously not inexpensive, however, this is a situation where you get what you pay for, and nothing is most important than your health. Consider this - If everyone purchased only organic products, high prices would actually go down. If you do have to eat out, consider choosing progressive restaurants like Chipotle and In-n-Out Burger. Ultimately, we all have the power to change the way the world eats.

References
Collin, M. (2009, August). Do seed companies control GM crop research? Scientific American Magazine, 301(2), 28. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-control-gm-crop-research
Cummins, C. H. (2008). Uncertain peril: Genetic engineering and the future of seeds. Boston: Beacon Press
Gay, K. (2008). Superfood or superthreat: The issue of genetically engineered food. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
Nadudvari, T. (Producer), & Curry, A. & Nadudvari, T. (Director). (2006). Bad seed: The truth about our food [Motion picture]. United States: UFOTV
Pearlstein, E. & Kenner, R. (Producer), & Kenner, R. (Director). (2009). Food, Inc. [Motion picture]. United States: Magnolia Pictures
Shapley, D. (2007, December). USDA makes a deal with Monsanto: Hey farmers! Buy genetically modified seeds, get insurance cheap. The Daily Green. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/genetically- modified-47122604

References: Collin, M. (2009, August). Do seed companies control GM crop research? Scientific American Magazine, 301(2), 28. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-control-gm-crop-research Cummins, C. H. (2008). Uncertain peril: Genetic engineering and the future of seeds. Boston: Beacon Press Gay, K. (2008). Superfood or superthreat: The issue of genetically engineered food. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc. Nadudvari, T. (Producer), & Curry, A. & Nadudvari, T. (Director). (2006). Bad seed: The truth about our food [Motion picture]. United States: UFOTV Pearlstein, E. & Kenner, R. (Producer), & Kenner, R. (Director). (2009). Food, Inc. [Motion picture]. United States: Magnolia Pictures Shapley, D. (2007, December). USDA makes a deal with Monsanto: Hey farmers! Buy genetically modified seeds, get insurance cheap. The Daily Green. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/genetically- modified-47122604