Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

The Power of GMOs

Valerie Acua
RWS 1301
Ms. Gallardo
10/25/15

ABSTRACT

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

This paper explores the usage of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically
modified (GM) crops in the U.S. and recognizes the effects that they may or may not have on our
health, environment, and politics. Specifically, this paper will examine the correlation between
the rise of different health issues [diabetes, obesity, sugar intake] and the growing consumption
of GMOs in the U.S. by utilizing conclusive data. Additionally, with the application of certain
studies the environmental and global disadvantages and advantages will be examined. Finally,
this essay will explore not only the various laws that are established by the U.S. government on
GMOs but recognize the immense control that large corporations have upon farmers and food
handling.

INTRODUCTION

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Genetically Modified (GM) crops have been a
subject of controversy for years. Whether the effects and risks of using them outweigh the
advantages have yet to be determined. GM crops are used worldwide and although a fair amount
of countries are regulating them, there are still many that have yet to set laws for the regulation
of these crops. Should there be reason to?
BACKGROUND
Crops are considered genetically modified (GM) when genes are transferred between organisms
using lab techniques known as recombinant DNA technology. This basically means that the
genes have been artificially manipulated using genetic engineering. Although it may seem like
GMOs have recently become popular theyve been around for years. Monsanto, a self-claimed
sustainable agriculture company, (2013) first started experimenting with GM crops when they
recognized a growing need for food to accommodate the growing population in the U.S. In
1994, Monsantos first product becomes approved and reaches the commercial market
(Monsanto, n.d.). At this same time Europe bans GM crops then later makes it mandatory for all
GM crops to be labeled. While other countries began regulating GMOs it seems as if GMOs
barely started to make their mark in the U.S. Many states in the U.S. petitioned to have GM
crops regulated, but all attempts had failed and companies like Monsanto continued to grow.
GMOS TODAY
As much as 80% percent of the food at the supermarket contain GMOs (nongmoproject, n.d.).
Crops that are grown genetically modified include cotton, soybean, corn, alfalfa and papaya to
name a few. These GM crops are grown throughout the U.S. and although 91% of American
consumers would like products to have GMO labeling (Mellman Group, 2012) and the petitions

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

to have GMOs labeled continue nothing has yet to be approved. Today, GM crops are not only
being used as a strategy to accommodate population growth, but to help alleviate hunger in third
world countries like Africa. Which in turn has been giving rise to powerful corporations like
Monsanto.
SHOULD GMOS BE USED IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES?
In 2014, Monsanto made a promise to the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
to donate its commercial drought-tolerance and insect-protection [seed] traits (Monsanto,
2014) to all the seed companies located in Africa. Many claimed soon afterward that this was
unjust since there has not been enough studies to claim that GMOs are neither safe nor harmful.
The economic benefits of GMOs are definitely supported too, since more food will be provided
at a lesser cost. One way to determine whether GMOs in a developing country should be widely
supported or not is to study the health effects that GMOs may or may not have on an individuals
health.
HEALTH EFFECTS
There has been a significant increase in incidence of diseases that have been reported in the U.S.
over the past 20 years. Diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and autism along with many
reproductive disorders and food allergies are included in this list of increasing prevalence. Many
researchers have linked this growth of disease to the increasing usage of GMOs. A study by the
FDA was done to include 400 rats- 40 of the rats were fed GM corn while the others were kept
on a normal diet. Although the rats were not being tested for adverse effects more than half of
them experienced kidney problems and elevated glucose levels (symptoms of diabetes), which

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

were later said to be caused from genetics (Richter, W. October 21, 2014). That is not the only
way GMOs could possibly be effecting our body though.
The most common health concern when using GMOs is the risk for allergic reactions. Since
proteins and other unknown foods are being incorporated into foods like corn the risk for an
allergic reaction increases. For example, if the protein of a peanut is being injected into a
product like a soybean someone who eats this soybean may be at risk for an allergic reaction
(Bakshi, 2003). Although there has yet to be this type of incidence to occur the danger is still
there.
A specific research paper done by Dr. Abrahamson, Dr. Leu, Dr. Swanson, and Dr. Wallet has
shown data that has proved a very significant correlation between the increasing uses of a GM
crop know as glyphosate and a multitude of diseases. In the chart projected below, the
correlation between the use of glyphosate and the amount of deaths from obesity is shown
(Abrahamson, Leu, Swanson, Wallet, p. 21). The chart also shows a green line that represents
what the amount of deaths was projected at using the trend from the 1990s. The number of
deaths due to obesity significantly raises once glyphosate is introduced into the market.

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

The researchers also recognize a correlation between the rise in diabetes rates and the rise of
glyphosate (Abrahamson, Leu, Swanson, Wallet, p.22). They arent the only ones that have seen
this rise though. According to the American Diabetes Association (2010) one in three Americans
are now being diagnosed with early onset diabetes and this number continues to rise. There are
many other health concerns that are being raised as GMOs continue to overtake the food
industry, unfortunately there is still not enough research to conclude anything.
FARMERS VS. CORPORATIONS
The GM seeds that companies like Monsanto provide farmers are somewhat proven to increase
crop yields, lessen the amount of pesticides and herbicides being applied, therefore increasing
the profits. According to Robert Kenner in Food Inc.(2010) the average farmer that has a
contract to purchase GM seeds from biotech industries has an annual salary of $18,000 a year,
but has to invest $500,000 a year, to keep up with the contract. Along with this, farmers that are
under contract have limited right to retain and reuse seed (Kruft, D. p.4 2001). This means that
farmers are required to make an annual purchase from the biotech companies yearly. Also, when
there is a technologic conflict arising from the GM seed, farmers are required to resolve these
conflicts through arbitration to avoid any lawsuits (Kruft, D. p.4 2001). To many it seems as if
farmers are trapped in contracts and debt that they are unable to escape.
ENVIROMENTAL CONCERNS
Although GM crops are made to resist insects and weeds many farmers worry that overtime
these insects and weeds will develop a resistance to GM seeds and crops. In response to this
worry farmers have now used a strategy known as refuge areas, (Kruft, D. p.4 2001) that are
areas where insects can go a feed on non-GM crops in the hope of keeping them from migrating

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

to their bulk GM crops. Another concern that raises from using GM crops is the difficulty of
preserving the identity of non-GM crops. This concern is due to the fact that the crosspollination of GM seeds and non-GM crops is likely to occur. Tests performed by Successful
Farming magazine has found evidence of cross-pollination in both corn and soybean crops
(Holmberg, M. Successful Farming, 2001).
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Currently in the U.S. there are no laws that regulate the usage of GMOs. In July of 2015, the
Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act was passed which created a federal standard for the
voluntary labeling of foods with GMO ingredients (Wheeler and Marcos, July 2015).
Unfortunately, while this could be seen as a plus there are many more setbacks that have
occurred in the past. One of them being that before 1998 the USDA had the ability to shut down
plants if their GM products were unable to pass E. coli and Salmonella testing (Robert Kenner,
2010). After being taken to court by the Meat and Poultry Association the USDA no longer has
this power. Although views on GM products continue to grow as more negatively, the U.S. still
has a long way to go in order for any real laws and policies to be set in place for the regulation of
GM crops. At a more global perspective, Russia has banned GM crops and is now producing
100% non-GMO foods (Adams, M. Sept. 2015).
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
While many aspects of GMOs have room for improvement, the lack of funding for research and
technology is overwhelming. During the years 1992 and 2012 it is calculated that America has
been sprayed with over 2.6 billion pounds of Monsantos glyphosate-based herbicide (Pepin, P.
Oct. 2015). Not only that, Monsantos patented gene is now in 90% of soybeans (Robert Kenner,

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

2010). Monsanto will continue to gain power, and whether their products are safe or unsafe is
continuously questioned. The question on whether there will be any non-GMO products
available for purchase may be answered in the coming years. If the U.S. continues to stop any
kind of regulation for GMOs the amount of chronic diseases will probably continue to grow, the
negative effects that GMOs have on our environment will continue to prosper and biotech
companies like Monsanto will eventually earn full monopoly of the food industry.

Running head: THE POWER OF GMOS

REFERENCES
Abrahamson, J., Leu, A., Swanson, N., and Wallet, B. (2014). Genetically engineered crops,
glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of America, Journal of
Organic Systems 9(2).
Adams, M. (2015) GMO crops totally banned in Russia, The Health Ranger. Retrieved October
25, 2015, from http://www.naturalnews.com/051242_GM_crops_Russia_non-GMO.html
GMO Facts and Frequently Asked Questions (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2015, from
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/
Improving Agriculture. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2015, from
http://www.monsanto.com/improvingagriculture/pages/water-efficient-maize-forafrica.aspx?
utm_campaign=WEMA_Monsanto&utm_source=Monsantodotcom_RotatingBanner&ut
m_medium=DisplayBanner_Informative&utm_content=WEMA_Monsanto_NONE_JPE
G_914x350_Click
Jacobsen, S., Sorensen, M., Pedersen, S., Weiner, J. (2013, Oct.). Feeding the world: genetically
modified crops versus agricultural biodiversity. Agronomy for Sustainable Development,
33(4) 651-662.
Kenner, R. (Director). (2009). Food Inc. [Motion picture]. U.S.: Available from Magnolia Home
Entertainment.
Kruft, D. (2011) Impacts of Genetically-Modified Crops and Seeds on Farmers, Retrieved
October 24, 2015, from Penn State Law
Marcos, C. and Wheeler, L. (2015) House passes bill blocking states from requiring GMO labels
on food, The Hill. Retrieved October 25, 2015 from http://thehill.com/blogs/flooraction/house/248974-house-passes-gmo-labeling-reform-bill
Rutter, K. (Producer). (2013). GMO a Go-Go - Truth about GMOs explained in new animated
cartoon [YouTube]. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGqQV6ObFCQ

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Toft, K. (2010, Sept.). GMOs and Global Justice: Applying Global Justice Theory to the Case of
Genetically Modified Crops and Food. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental
Ethics, 25 (2) 223-237.