Introduction

The genetic blueprint of living organisms determines their particular characteristics, from chemical particularities to hair color, to pest resistance. Genetic engineering involves altering the DNA sequence of a life form. This is accomplished by one of two ways: 1) alteration of the genetic sequence of an organism; or 2) transference of genes from one life form to another (Ho). Scientists are thus able to save desirable attributes, and withdraw undesirable traits from an organism. Isolated genes from different life forms with desirable attributes can supersede the unwanted ones. An example of genetic alteration would include turning off a gene for growth of a crop item, thereby allowing the crop to grow larger than the outcome of natural processes would otherwise allow.  An example of genetic transference would include inserting a porcine gene into a tomato, to allow unprecedented growth of that tomato on a scale that a pig would normally enjoy.  This paper will discuss genetic modification and genetically modified organisms.  Also offered is a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of “GMO’s.”

Genetic modification has been in practice for more than 25 years.  All the same, until lately it has been applied to an increasing swath of food crops for release into the consumer marketplace environment. Scientists have identified the effects that particular genes cause an organism, such as what genes cause a jellyfish to glow, and what genes cause a crop to be pest resistant.   However, many other types of fallout happen through the genetic interplay that occurs in a given genome.  It should also be noted, that environmental influences play a role here too.  Epigenetic variation refers to changes within a short time span (generational, for plants and animals) as a result of environmental influences (climate, pests, and chemicals).  While not on the scale of being modified in a petri dish, these influences still cause changes that can spell survival or disaster for an organism.  So what qualifies as genetically modified?  For purposes of this paper, we restrict the discussion to the first premise offered, that being of a standard relating to genetic engineering, by scientists.

Presently, these gene to gene interactions are not well comprehended. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are usually found in food products today, and often are not labeled as being a GMO food. While GMO’s are under scrutiny by the United States FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Department, the real concern stems from society.  Many people who are interested enough to question the safety of GMO’s, also want the use of GMO’s in the food supply to stop.   In the UK, GMO’s hold a primary place in the agenda on food safety.

Numerous inquiries have been raised concerning genetically modified foods, both crops and livestock.  Is it necessary?  Is it safe to consume? What do we know about the long term environmental effects? Who is responsible for undesirable consequences?

In a 1999 Congressional Testimony, James H. Maryanski, PhD, Biotechnology Coordinator for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the Food and Drug Administration gave a statement before the Subcommittee on Basic Research House Committee on Science.  He maintained that the FDA was responsible for assuring premarket safety requirements of GMO’s, and that it was the realm of scientific study to determine ultimately if a GMO, once released into the consumer environment, was safe or unsafe (United States Food and Drug Administration).  Apparently, it was enough to have pre-market safeguards in place for the FDA regarding GMO’s.  Why would this be so?  This example illustrates the crossroads where science, government, and society meet on this issue.  In the United States, a fear that arises from government oversight of GMO’s is that the private lobbyists in Washington D.C., who represent big agricultural companies and big research biotech/pharmaceutical companies, are the ones who actually dictate the policy.

A concern that follows, then, is whether it is in the best interest of society  to accept policy that is ultimately written by companies that are profit-driven. While science and government have tried to answer the concerns and questions about GMO’s, any outcomes have not dispelled disquiet among the general population.