GM and GE food

Genetically Modified (GM) foods are produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) which have had their genome altered through genetic engineering techniques. The general principle of producing a GMO is to insert DNA that has been taken from another organism and modified in the laboratory into an organism's genome to produce both new and useful traits or phenotypes. GM Foods have been available since the 1990s, with the principal ones being derived from plants; soybean, maize, canola and cotton seed oil.

Another way to think about genetically engineered food, is that the original "make-up" of the plant or animal has been altered to benefit human consumption. So, you end up eating something which is unnatural.

Why do they do it ?

The main reason is to control pests. By creating an plant that is in some way pest resistant will increase crop production and make growers richer. Well, there is no way of knowing how these plants will interact with the "natural" order. These "pests" may die and other more rampant creatures dominate. Natural plants may interbreed with genetically modified plants and produce rampant weeds which choke the environment.

GM food and GE food

The wider issues of genetically engineered food

Do you realise that a lot of food we eat today contains genetically modified ingredients and usually without our knowledge. !

There are certain moral issues - read more here

There is also the issue of do we actually need genetically engineered food, given that agriculture in small biodiverse farms is often very productive. Economics and politics at all levels, (international, national and local) have often prevented food from reaching hungry people, not a lack of production. These same causes have also created, or contributed to, a lot of poverty, which prevents people from being able to afford food in the first place.

GM food and GE food

What foods are genetically engineered?
Many common GM foods include: Corn, Soy, Wheat, Canola, Tomato , Potato , Rice , Cantaloupe , Sugar beet (all kinds of sugar) , Radicchio , Flax (linseed) , Papaya , Squash , Oilseed rape and Alfalfa.

GM Soya Beans

Many processed foods such as biscuits, cooking sauces and food coatings, will include GM ingredients at a very low level if they use soya or maize as an ingredient. The same will be true for products imported from countries growing GM soya or maize. So, unless your diet contains no processed foods, you are likely to be eating at least some GM or ‘GM-derived’ food, even if this is only at a low level. If you have travelled to one of the countries that grow GM crops in the past few years, especially the USA and Canada, it is very likely that you will have eaten food that contains GM material or is derived from it.

GM Wheat

GM wheat is said to be a mortal threat to the U.S. wheat market. It is estimated that the loss of markets for GM corn, soy and canola has reached over 300 million dollars per year because the European Union will not purchase GM crops. The U.S. is the world's leading wheat exporter. Many foreign companies have stated that they will not purchase GM wheat or any wheat if GM wheat is grown in the region. Korea is the fifth largest purchaser of U.S. wheat exports. The Korean Flour Mills Industrial Association has stated that they want GM-free certification of any hard red spring wheat they purchase. The price of spring wheat could drop by one-third if a GM variety is introduced commercially into Montana or North Dakota, according to agricultural economist Dr. Robert Wisner of Iowa State University. This will spell doom for North American wheat growers even if they decide to not plant GM wheat themselves - well it serves them right !

GM food and GE food