Composition Kitchen

GM Food: What is the Ultimate Strategy?

General Process of Gene Modification
Photo Credit: the Science Creative Quarterly

When I was in high school, my biology teacher introduced the concept of gene modification in the point of view of how it works and how the process was created. That all sounds like a magic, scientists adopt a special type of “scissors”, a group of enzyme, to cut the host DNA and target DNA to form the adhesive endings. Then, another group of enzymes glue these pieces of DNA together. Finally, the modified chromosome is planted into the cell to formulate new protein, which is the contributor of the trait of species. All this stuff sounds so harmless, supposing developers do not transplant the virus gene into our daily food. For example, if we need to change the color of bell pepper, one can add the gene that creates vivid color into the cell of natural bell pepper, then cultivate the cell to make it grow up to a plant. The whole process for developing GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) sounds really harmless. However, recent news triggers a debate on the safety problem of GM (Genetically Modified) food; the developers of golden rice (beta carotene enhanced rice) tested it on 12 Chinese rural children without the proper notification.

Comparison between Ordinary Rice and Golden Rice
Photo Credits: International Rice Research Institution

The driving force for the project of golden rice is to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. Scientists merely transplant the gene pieces for the plant that can generate beta carotene to the ordinary rice to enable the rice to be beta carotene enriched food. Eventually, based on beta carotene, Vitamin A could be synthesized inside human body after we eat the golden rice.

Results of insect infestation on Bt (right) and non-Bt (left) cotton bolls.
Source: USDA

The advantages of GM food are obvious. From the very beginning of the food industry, farmers benefit from GMO; some GMO are pest resistant, in other words, farmers could reduce or even stop the use of pesticide without exposing the plants under the danger of pest consumption. Actually, Arizonas' farmers have reduced the use of pesticide largely by planting Bt gene modified cotton. Accompanied by the benefit for farmer, the planting of pest resistant plant are also beneficial for the end consumer, these products would have lower amount or even none of pesticide residue.

For the corporations and supermarkets that transport and sell raw and fresh food, the stock of vegetable and fruit is easier. Since 1994, a long-lasting tomato appears on the market. These ripened tomatoes can be stored for longer time before they turn soft or rot. Therefore, the farmer could pick the tomato when they are fully ripened, which could provide a better taste. (For the natural (non-GM) tomatoes, a common practice is to pick the fruit when they are still green to avoid rotting in the transportation process.) For consumer, the technology of gene modification offers more flexibility for food choosing; you may find fancy fruits or vegetables in different color or different tastes. Besides, due to the tolerance to longer transportation time, consumer will get foods in the better quality in the supermarkets.

A monarch butterfly in all its majesty
Photo Credit: Dave Govoni/Flickr

In contrast, the GM foods are always blamed for safety issues. The primary concern is the potential of containing allergens. The essence of gene modification is to plant alien gene onto the host species to create new characteristics. Therefore, new proteins will be created which do not belong to the host species. These newly introduced proteins are the potential allergens. For those consumers who are sensitive for allergens, GM food may be not a good choice. Some GM products are potentially harmful for animals and human beings, the Bt. cotton are blamed for killing the monarch butterflies, even though no evidence reveals that they are harmful for humans. Whereas, the failure of GM food developing may results in unsafe food, due to the introducing of unwanted gene. Since no one is capable of governing all the knowledge of GM food, any newly developed food cannot be guaranteed to be safe, which means it takes longer time for the GM food to stay in the experimental phase before it comes to the market. This is a shortage of GM food for the food company. The decision for introducing GM food may consume a lot of money, with the risk of worthless. I.e. if the market response negatively, the company may lose money as they invest a lot for the equipment for developing GM food, as well as for hiring the professionals. Also, compared with traditional products, GM food takes longer time to pass the safety ensuring test, since the traits and also the safety of these new foods are not well determined. All works take time, especially for these unknown foods. The extra works are usually done by health agencies like CDC and FDA. It can be inferred that the companies that request the authorization of commercialization are subject to extra payment of the entire safety test. Similar principle applies for the food selling corporations; if the consumers are reluctant to buy GM food, the stocked food are subject to turn bad in short time, and finally end up with the financial loss.

Nothing is perfect, especially for gene engineering. If you are against the GM food, it is reasonable. From the economic point of view, for food companies and retailers, the introducing of GM bring may result in unnecessary investment. If the market responds slowly for the need of GM food, the corporations may pay the exorbitant loss. For the consumers, you are wise to keep away from GM food if you are convinced to be sensitive to allergens. What’s more, if you have any doubt for the safety of GM food, just do not buy it and do not eat it. Checking the label carefully to avoid any food with GM ingredients, which may help you to avoid any risk brought by GM food both physically and psychologically.

Nevertheless, if you are farmers or supermarkets/companies operators, and you consider GM food as a promising industry. You may take serious analysis for the potential income for starting the business of GM food. Next, you are welcomed to start the business in the new area. For consumers, given that you have thought about the benefits and risks of GM food, and found that the risks are negligible for you, then you are free of burden to enjoy the benefit brought by this modern technology. You have more flexibility to choose food, and foods with higher quality are more accessible (just think of the GM tomatoes).

Personally, I would not to choose GM food because I am sensitive to allergens. For me, seafood, certain mushrooms and some spices could cause allergy. So…I prefer not to eat GM food. However, I don’t resist GM product, like GM cotton, because it is not harmful at all.

As a completely new technology, gene engineering is neither completely harmful nor absolutely safe. Similar to other technology, the pros and cons are completely dependent on how we manipulate it. (i.e. traffic and transportation becomes easier by the development of vehicle, ship, and airplane, but the accidents brought by these inventions are always disastrous if we don’t treat the safety issue carefully). Now I have better understanding what I learned in high school. Technology is not flawless; they are not perfect enough that we can always rely on. It takes our efforts to use technology in a safe way.

On one hand, since gene engineering is not completely mature, it is OK to say no to it temporarily and wait until most people accept it. On the other hand, the GM food is promising to provide better food for consumers and higher income for the companies; it is not bad to try to launch these fancy businesses right now. Anyway, all decisions must be made after the thorough consideration of the advantages and disadvantages.

Here is a simple list of questions to test if you are suitable for GM food.

1. Are you tend to allergy to certain food?

2. Do you prefer natural food than artificial food?

3. Are you doubt on the quality/safety on GM food?

4. Will you recommend GM food to your family or your best friend?

5. Do you think that GM food will be generally accepted by most consumers?

If you answer yes to question 1, 2, 3, and answer no to question 4, 5 you may don’t like to choose GM food. If your answer is the opposite, then you are free to choose GM food.