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Common Questions

Question: "How are foods 'genetically modified?'"

The methods of modifying a crop genetically are pretty standardized throughout the commercial crop industry. Most GM foods are modified through the use of transgenic methods. Transgenic plants can be achieved though simple cross-pollination. Such plants have existed in our society for as long as man has been farming.

Modern references to transgenic technology refer to the usage of recombinant DNA, an artificial DNA sequence inserted into an organism's genome. Recombinant DNA technology has been around since the late 70's but it's use in commercial agriculture began in the early 90's. Recombinant DNA generally refers to a combination of DNA molecules that not usually or naturally found together. Although the term recombinant DNA can refer to the crossing-over of genes, it is generally reserved for DNA produced by joining strands of DNA from totally different biological sources (the sources could be from completely different kingdoms, and thus the great lure of the technology).

Question: "For what reasons are genetically modified foods produced?"

Genetically modified foods are widely used for a variety of reasons. As well as enhancing taste in crops, it can also allow them to be ready for harvest sooner therefore easier to grow. Crops have also been genetically modified to be resistant to pests and diseases. Where food is scarce, crops like rice can be modified to grow quicker and to produce higher yields. Animals can be genetically modified to be disease resistant and heartier or with certain traits.

Question: "What kinds of food are genetically modified?"

Common household foods are most often genetically modified. The FlavrSavr tomato was the first commercially grown crop that was made to stay fresh longer, increasing shelf life and easing transportation. Cotton with defense against insects and soybeans with higher herbicide tolerance followed soon after. Canola, maize, cocoa beans, potatoes, and rice are also widely produced GM foods. For rice itself, there are many different types being developed. Golden rice provides vitamin A, helping those around the world with Vitamin A deficiency while LLRICE601 is simply herbicide tolerant. Squash and papaya are now also resistant to threatening diseases. A variety of produce from the local supermarket is effected through genetic modification from bananas to eggplants.

Question: "Is America's stance on genetically modified foods the same as most countries?"

GM food regulation varies from country to country. While not all countries around the world have legislation in place to monitor the production of GM food, those countries that do currently have laws concerning GM foods are mainly concerned with the risk these pose to human health. The United States has a much more lenient system concerning GM foods unlike the European Union which have a stricter system (essentially this is a ban). These two opposing views even led to the Bush Administration's top trade official to file a case against the European Union in 2003, claiming that their policies were leading to "the starvation of the developing world."

Question: "How are GMO's regulated in the USA? How are they regulated, if at all, in other countries?"

In mid-1974, very soon after the first GMO was created, scientists called for and observed a voluntary moratorium on certain recombinant DNA experiments. One goal of the moratorium was to provide time for a conference that would evaluate the state of the new technology and the risks, if any, associated with it. That conference concluded that recombinant DNA research should proceed but under strict guidelines. Such guidelines were subsequently promulgated by the National Institutes of Health in the United States and by comparable bodies in other countries. These guidelines form the basis upon which GMOs are regulated to this day. The practice of genetic modification as a scientific technique is not restricted in the United States. Most countries in Europe, Japan, Mexico (among others) have taken the opposite position, stating that genetic modification has not been proven safe, and therefore that they will not accept genetically modified food from the United States or any other country.

Question: "What kind of impact can GMOs have on the environment?"

With the introduction of new genes in different local environments, it is hard to tell what effects each GMO can have on its surroundings. Generally, GMO foods may have an advantage with stronger traits allowing them to grow more efficiently; this can allow farmers to conserve soil, water and energy, but also poses as a threat to other species and biodiversity. In addition, genes may be passed on to wild species. For example, the remains of a GMO resistant to herbicides may be absorbed through soil to grasses that will in turn become ÒsuperweedsÓ invading the environment. There are some positive impacts such as the development of certain species with less greenhouse emissions or in need of fewer pesticides; however, the toxin resisting genes are only targeted towards higher doses of herbicides/pesticides, and with the higher demand and efficiency to produce more food, herbicide use is at times higher than before GMOs. Besides local plant life, the wildlife changes as well when untargeted insects are thrown off balance.

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