Ecosystem, Biosphere, Community & Population Levels
Human Consumption
Despite the benefits that GMOs provide, human consumption of foods containing GMOs has proven to be harmful. Some risks associated with consumption of GMOs are the production of new allergens, toxicity, and decreased nutritional value.
Animal Diet
Corn has become the main source of food for animals because it makes animals fat quickly and it is cheap to produce. However, many animals that feed on corn are not evolutionarily designed to eat corn. Cows, for example, are designed to eat grass. Because of their high corn diet, cows develop acid resistant E. Coli in their stomachs. The conditions of feedlots result in the spreading of this harmful E. Coli, which eventually ends up in the meat humans eat. There have been many recalls of meat throughout the country due to the infestation of E. Coli. Consumption of E. Coli results in sickness such as diarrhea, kidney failure (more common in young children and elderly), and in some cases death. However, due to the lack of regulations, the manufacturers of the meat have not been shut down.
Allergens and Toxicity
Another risk that GMOs pose for humans is the development of new allergens. Many food allergies are caused by reactions to the different proteins within the food. By genetically modifying food, the proteins are being changed into new types, which could cause allergic reactions.
In addition to the creation of new allergens, there is a risk of toxicity in consuming GMOs. Many GMOs contain Bt toxin, which is a type of insecticide. This can be harmful to humans because ingestion of toxins designed to resist insects are not safe for the human body. These toxins have negative effects on the small intestine, liver, spleen, and pancreas and are harmful to the immune system and digestive system.
Decreased Nutritional Value
Another impact of GMOs is that they are less nutritional than their non-GMO counterparts. In the case study, there is a concern that consuming products with GMOs will result in weight gain. GMOs are contained in many foods that are cheap yet considered unhealthy. There has been a rise of Type 2 diabetes in the United States and the largest indicator of who will get diabetes is income level. Since many foods that contain GMOs are inexpensive, poorer families have no other option than to buy these unhealthy foods. Due to the consumption of products containing GMOs, 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will contract early onset diabetes.
Animal Diet
Corn has become the main source of food for animals because it makes animals fat quickly and it is cheap to produce. However, many animals that feed on corn are not evolutionarily designed to eat corn. Cows, for example, are designed to eat grass. Because of their high corn diet, cows develop acid resistant E. Coli in their stomachs. The conditions of feedlots result in the spreading of this harmful E. Coli, which eventually ends up in the meat humans eat. There have been many recalls of meat throughout the country due to the infestation of E. Coli. Consumption of E. Coli results in sickness such as diarrhea, kidney failure (more common in young children and elderly), and in some cases death. However, due to the lack of regulations, the manufacturers of the meat have not been shut down.
Allergens and Toxicity
Another risk that GMOs pose for humans is the development of new allergens. Many food allergies are caused by reactions to the different proteins within the food. By genetically modifying food, the proteins are being changed into new types, which could cause allergic reactions.
In addition to the creation of new allergens, there is a risk of toxicity in consuming GMOs. Many GMOs contain Bt toxin, which is a type of insecticide. This can be harmful to humans because ingestion of toxins designed to resist insects are not safe for the human body. These toxins have negative effects on the small intestine, liver, spleen, and pancreas and are harmful to the immune system and digestive system.
Decreased Nutritional Value
Another impact of GMOs is that they are less nutritional than their non-GMO counterparts. In the case study, there is a concern that consuming products with GMOs will result in weight gain. GMOs are contained in many foods that are cheap yet considered unhealthy. There has been a rise of Type 2 diabetes in the United States and the largest indicator of who will get diabetes is income level. Since many foods that contain GMOs are inexpensive, poorer families have no other option than to buy these unhealthy foods. Due to the consumption of products containing GMOs, 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will contract early onset diabetes.
This graph shows the number of new cases of diabetes. The number of Type 2 diabetes seems to be increasing among adolescents which could be attributed to the consumption of foods containing GMOs.
Environment
The environmental effects of GMO’s are not yet well documented because it is an emerging field in which long-term effects and unintended consequences are still unknown. Genetically modified organisms have been successful in providing increased production, however there are many ecological risks that could develop. Some of these include: cross-pollination with other species, contamination of ecosystems, and effects on other organisms.
Cross-pollination
The danger of GMO’s is that they might become invasive or breed with non-target organisms through seed dispersal and cross-pollination. In Mexico and the United States, for example, the genetically modified corn has mixed with non-GMO varieties. This shows that it can be difficult to regulate or control the spread of genetic material, and can lead to the eradication of some varieties. Biodiversity is also a concern because GMO species may cross-pollinate with weed species. If these weeds become herbicide resistant, they would be difficult to control and could potentially wipe out valuable species in the environment.
Agricultural Wastes
There is no conclusive evidence yet that states the effects of soil transformations although there are potential risks. New transgenic crops could possibly alter the rate of soil erosion and cause changes in cultivation practices that affect soil sustainability. Bt is a gene from the microbe Bacillus Thuringiensis that has been inserted into certain plants to kill pests. Although not yet confirmed, it is possible that Bt might affect the soil’s ability to breakdown plant residue. The chemicals from GMO’s might also contaminate the groundwater that flows into our water sources.
Animal Impact
The genetically modified crops might endanger non-target organisms that feed on the crops or affect animals even higher in the food chain. One example is the monarch butterfly, which researchers have seen affected from long-term exposure to the pollen from GM insect-resistant corn. There is also the possibility that other animals like birds or deer may not respond well to the modified crops.
The effects of genetically modified organisms are unpredictable and it might be years before researchers find conclusive evidence. In the mean time, strict regulation and testing on a small scale is important in order to monitor the effects.
Katy Berens & Jenna Truglio
Cross-pollination
The danger of GMO’s is that they might become invasive or breed with non-target organisms through seed dispersal and cross-pollination. In Mexico and the United States, for example, the genetically modified corn has mixed with non-GMO varieties. This shows that it can be difficult to regulate or control the spread of genetic material, and can lead to the eradication of some varieties. Biodiversity is also a concern because GMO species may cross-pollinate with weed species. If these weeds become herbicide resistant, they would be difficult to control and could potentially wipe out valuable species in the environment.
Agricultural Wastes
There is no conclusive evidence yet that states the effects of soil transformations although there are potential risks. New transgenic crops could possibly alter the rate of soil erosion and cause changes in cultivation practices that affect soil sustainability. Bt is a gene from the microbe Bacillus Thuringiensis that has been inserted into certain plants to kill pests. Although not yet confirmed, it is possible that Bt might affect the soil’s ability to breakdown plant residue. The chemicals from GMO’s might also contaminate the groundwater that flows into our water sources.
Animal Impact
The genetically modified crops might endanger non-target organisms that feed on the crops or affect animals even higher in the food chain. One example is the monarch butterfly, which researchers have seen affected from long-term exposure to the pollen from GM insect-resistant corn. There is also the possibility that other animals like birds or deer may not respond well to the modified crops.
The effects of genetically modified organisms are unpredictable and it might be years before researchers find conclusive evidence. In the mean time, strict regulation and testing on a small scale is important in order to monitor the effects.
Katy Berens & Jenna Truglio