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Some environmental effects include introducing GM genes into the population, persistence of the gene, non-target organisms, stability of the gene, loss of biodiversity, and increased use of chemicals in agriculture (20 Questions on genetically modified goods, 2009). One environmental hazard to consider includes unintended harm to other organisms. Although Bt corn helps to kill pests that harm the crop, it is not possible to design a Bt toxin that would only kill crop-damaging pests and remain harmless to other insects. Whitman’s research (2000) identified monarch butterfly caterpillars were harmed by Bt corn (Whitman, 2000). Even though monarch caterpillars didn’t eat corn specifically, the pollen from the corn blew onto milkweed plants they do eat (Whitman, 2000). Another potential problem is the reduced effectiveness of pesticides. People are concerned that insects will become resistant to Bt or other GMF’s just as some mosquitoes have developed resistance to DDT (Whitman, 2000). Another environmental concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds might cross-breed and make a “superweed” (20 Questions on genetically modified goods, 2009). These weeds would then be herbicide tolerant and therefore much harder to kill. There are solutions to these environmental
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GM foods can change the genetic make-up of the digestive system and could put someone at a higher risk of infections resistant to antibiotics (Asante, 2008). There is a solution to this problem as well. 81 million tons of the 2007 U.S. corn harvest was used to produce 8.3 billion gallons of ethanol (Brown, 2008). This is one fifth of the U.S. grain harvest to produce less than 4 percent of its automotive fuel (Brown, 2008). There is now a debate about using grain for fuel or to feed people. Instead of one or the other, use GM grain to produce ethanol based fuel and then regular crops to feed people. This would help with the debate of eating GM grain and would provide more time for testing the effects on health. There is a complex global crisis and education about family planning and contraceptives are only part of the solution. Right now we have a bigger problem. The world’s population is starving. We have the chance to help out the millions who don’t have enough to eat by using GMF’s. GMF’s provide higher crop yeilds, increased income to the less fortunate, better nutrition, prevention of starvation, and less pesticide use (Asante, 2008). Using this new technology, we all stand to gain and should have the will to take the task underhand. 20 Questions on genetically
GM foods can change the genetic make-up of the digestive system and could put someone at a higher risk of infections resistant to antibiotics (Asante, 2008). There is a solution to this problem as well. 81 million tons of the 2007 U.S. corn harvest was used to produce 8.3 billion gallons of ethanol (Brown, 2008). This is one fifth of the U.S. grain harvest to produce less than 4 percent of its automotive fuel (Brown, 2008). There is now a debate about using grain for fuel or to feed people. Instead of one or the other, use GM grain to produce ethanol based fuel and then regular crops to feed people. This would help with the debate of eating GM grain and would provide more time for testing the effects on health. There is a complex global crisis and education about family planning and contraceptives are only part of the solution. Right now we have a bigger problem. The world’s population is starving. We have the chance to help out the millions who don’t have enough to eat by using GMF’s. GMF’s provide higher crop yeilds, increased income to the less fortunate, better nutrition, prevention of starvation, and less pesticide use (Asante, 2008). Using this new technology, we all stand to gain and should have the will to take the task underhand. 20 Questions on genetically