The argument proposed of those against GMO's includes topics such as, the unknown health consequences of consuming genetically modified organisms, permanently mutating genes, reducing biodiversity, cross contamination, and legal issues with seed patenting. While genetically engineered foods have not been shown to be safe or unsafe to eat and may have unpredictable consequences, many scientists are worried that, once consumed, they may pass on their mutant genes to bacterium in the digestive system. Genetically modified organisms contaminate existing seeds with their altered material, passing on modified traits to nontarget species. This creates a new strain of plant that was never intended in the laboratory. Monarch butterflies have died after
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When a specific genetic formula is found for a crop, biotechnology companies patent and commercialize it. For example, Monsanto’s patented strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has led to the company controlling over 95 percent of India’s cotton market (Jacobsen). This monopoly has led to a rise in prices which has left many of India’s cotton farmers in debt and unable to sustain themselves and their families through their traditional farming lifestyle. Such patenting and commercialization, along with cross contamination, can create problems when it comes to selling seed to farmers. If a farmer has not planted a particular GM crop, but through cross contamination has the crop growing on their fields, they can be subject to a lawsuit at the hands of the people who have a patent on said GM crop. The company that owns the patent also makes it illegal for the farmer to save the seed from the previous year, making it easy for farmers to go into debt because they constantly need to find the money to afford new seed, and thus need to keep increasing their yield. The issue of seed patenting and commercialization also poses significant problems in developing areas, where GM seeds, through competition and contamination, are slowly destroying the diversity of seed that once existed. If an entire agricultural sector is based on one type of crop with one specific genetic makeup, when the crop fails or does not have profitable yields on any given years, it puts the livelihoods of poorer farmers in danger ("Genetically..."
When a specific genetic formula is found for a crop, biotechnology companies patent and commercialize it. For example, Monsanto’s patented strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has led to the company controlling over 95 percent of India’s cotton market (Jacobsen). This monopoly has led to a rise in prices which has left many of India’s cotton farmers in debt and unable to sustain themselves and their families through their traditional farming lifestyle. Such patenting and commercialization, along with cross contamination, can create problems when it comes to selling seed to farmers. If a farmer has not planted a particular GM crop, but through cross contamination has the crop growing on their fields, they can be subject to a lawsuit at the hands of the people who have a patent on said GM crop. The company that owns the patent also makes it illegal for the farmer to save the seed from the previous year, making it easy for farmers to go into debt because they constantly need to find the money to afford new seed, and thus need to keep increasing their yield. The issue of seed patenting and commercialization also poses significant problems in developing areas, where GM seeds, through competition and contamination, are slowly destroying the diversity of seed that once existed. If an entire agricultural sector is based on one type of crop with one specific genetic makeup, when the crop fails or does not have profitable yields on any given years, it puts the livelihoods of poorer farmers in danger ("Genetically..."