The Genetically Modified Future

Is ignorance truly bliss? Millions of people around the world accept and believe information simply because it is easy to understand and seems to make the most logical sense; even if science says the exact opposite.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO's) are frowned upon within society as many people think that GMO's are poisonous and dangerous for the environment. Recent research shows us that genetically modifying crops leads to an increase in food production as well as longer sustainability of the crop itself. Also, nutritional benefits have been found in GM crops. Any arguments against GMO's have been dismissed with concrete evidence, which I will discuss later in the blog.

Despite the science and research evidence available, a survey taken in the US found that 57% of people believe GMO's are unsafe, while only 37% agreed that GMO's are safe. A staggering 88% of Scientists from The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) believed that GMO's are safe.

A possible reason as to why so many people are anti-GMO is simply because of a lack of awareness as to what GMO's truly are, how they are created, and their purpose in society.

A GMO is created when a crop is inserted with DNA from another crop, bacteria, or a virus. This could lead to enhancements within the crop, such as an added resistance to pests, a longer shelf life, or an adjustment to the taste of the crop. One of the biggest advantages with GM crops is that farms are able to produce at a much faster rate because the crops are resistant to diseases and insects, as well as drought. This is extremely necessary considering the rapid population growth occurring. By 2050, when there is an estimated two billion more humans on the earth, how else will we able to feed everyone? An ignorance towards this subject, as demonstrated in the past, doesn't bode well for society. People are fighting against the very thing that can save us. We're screwed. Science up, people.

There are three main arguments against GMO's: The environmental aspect, the health aspect, and the possibility of insect resistance.

Recent research was conducted observing environmental and agronomic changes over the past 15 years in regards to GM crops, and the results show that GM crops have had a positive impact in developing and developed countries alike. There have been increases in yield per-unit area due to crops' resistance against insects, and the overall decrease in insecticide use has vastly benefitted the environment. Surface and groundwater contamination from pesticides has declined and, as a result, health problems related to pesticides have also decreased. There has also been speculation that GMO's can cause cancer and/or a resistance to antibiotics in humans, but no studies have been able to support this hypothesis.

The chances of insects becoming resistant to the GM crops IS definitely high, so the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is helping farmers grow conventional non-GM crops near the GM crops. These non-GM crops contain insects that aren't in contact with the GM crops that contain the insect resistance. Basically, the non-resistant insects continue to breed, and when it comes in contact with a resistant insect and both insects breed, the dominant gene of non resistance transfers over. This process ensures that the non resistant gene continues to be passed down from generation to generation. It sounds complicated, but it is truly an ingenious idea.

GMO's are the future. It's literally as simple as that. There is so much research that supports them, compared to the minimal evidence against GMO's. I can't lie. I used to be strongly against GMO's as well, but all my opinions on the subject came from others telling me THEIR opinions. When I ended up doing my own research and spent hours reading different research articles, I realized how beneficial GMO's are. Your turn.