Genetically Modified Crops: A Call for Regulations

Written by Michael Black

In an age of information and technology, it is no wonder that a topic such as the genetic engineering of plants has jumped to the forefront as one of the world's most concerning issues. Conventional agriculture methods are becoming more and more a thing of the past in developed counties such as the United States because of the numerous upsides such as pest resistance and increased crop yield. With these upsides, however, there are a number of downsides. Genetic engineering is a far cry from a perfected technique; outcomes are often unpredictable and undesirable and present a threat to not only the environment, but society as a whole. In America, there are currently no laws or regulations geared towards the testing and labeling of genetically modified crops. Untested crops can be introduced to the environment regardless of possible hazards and eventually be bought by uninformed consumers. This lack of governing presents a huge risk and puts our ecosystem and our people in grave danger. Adopting proper standards is a necessary step towards helping ensure a safer environment for people to live in and be part of.

Before analyzing the impact of genetically modified crops, one must first understand the process which they undergo. Genetic engineering is comprised of "a set of enabling techniques for bringing about specific man-made changes in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)" (Franks 1999). This process is used to isolate a gene or a series of genes from different organisms into a host plant; from this process the host plant attains traits that it was not before capable of (Franks 1999). This innovation in science has opened doors that had been locked since the beginning of time. The endless possibilities of genetic engineering have led some scientists to refer to it as one of "the greatest opportunities in the history of mankind" (Rifkin 1998).

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