The Rise Of Genetically Modified Organisms
One controversial subject that has presented itself in the field of microbiology is the debate about genetically modified organisms (GMO’S). These organisms are defines as “any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. ” Currently this is often done by cross breeding or natural recombination and is used in food crops in order to produce a plant that with new characteristics such as resistance to certain insects or tolerance to certain herbicides.
An example of this taking place in today’s food supply is that according to the United states Department of Agriculture more than ninety percent of the soybean, cotton and corn acreage is being used to grow genetically engineered crops. These crops often are genetically modified to be resistant to certain herbicides, or in the case of cotton to be resistant to certain bugs. Most cotton grown in United States has been genetically modified to be resistant against the Boll Weevil. This cotton named Bt cotton and is a product of Monsanto corporation involves genetically modifying the cotton with a bacterium called Bacillus Thuringiensis. This bacterium is able to produce a protein that is toxic to Boll Weevil larva therefore preventing infestation of the crop. It also allows a minimal amount of pesticides to be used during crop production.
The presence of GMO’s in the food supply has become a controversial subject. The presence of GMO’s within the food supply has been accused of increasing food allergies, antibiotic resistance and carcinogenic capabilities. During the past twenty years the increase in food allergies in industrialized countries have increased to effect between four and eight percent of the population. It has been suggested that proteins expressed from genetically modified plants may be causing an increased sensitivity among individuals with food allergies.
In addition genetically modified plants often contain genes that make the plants resistant to certain antibiotics. These genes help later distinguish the plant cells from non-genetically modified plants. It is the insertion of the antibiotic resistant gene that has been questioned if it is contribution to the increase in multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and lastly the use of glycophosate, a herbicide used in some genetically modified crops has been accused of increasing the rates of colon and breast cancer. None of these accusations have been proved in any human or animal studies to date. Although more long term research is needed to monitor for any adverse health effects GMO’s may present they have proven safe for human consumption at this time.
