Genetically Modified Crops: A Call for Regulations Page 2

Written by Michael Black

When applied to agriculture, genetic engineering can be productive in a number of ways. Genetically modified crops are expected to eventually be able to "produce chemicals, building materials, plastics, fibres, new sources of energy as well as drugs and vaccines" (Rifkin 1998). The main draw to genetically engineered crops is that they can be made bigger, better, and higher quality. Crops can be modified to be drought resistant which can increase the growing season and allow crops to be planted where it was not possible before. Pest resistance is another current benefit of genetically modified crops. Present methods of intensive farming can use pesticides that damage non-target insects; by making the crop genetically resistant to certain pests, we reduce our dependency on pesticides (Byrne 1999). Engineering technologies can also increase crop yields, which is very important as the availability of arable land decreases (Byrne 1999). Healthier more nutritious crops from "healthier cooking oil" to "high-potency sports bars" are all possible through genetic engineering (Kilman 1999).

In spite of all the incredible progress that has been made in the genetic engineering of crops, one must not loose sight of the fact that these modified crops (often times untested) are their own species and are thus exotic to any environment they are placed in. Because genetically modified crops are essentially foreign species, there is a huge amount of uncertainty on what results may occur. By genetically engineering plants, we are tampering with the basis of all life; "one should not forget that plants are an essential component of the large ecosystem that is our planet, They are not only the basic food producers but they are also necessary for a balanced atmosphere (oxygen production) and stable and viable climates" (Simoens 1995). If the science of genetic engineering was perfected, we would have nothing to worry about; unfortunately, the dangers and drawbacks of genetically modified crops are just as abundant as the positives.

One of the main, most obvious drawbacks to genetically modified crops is the threat to human health. The genetic engineering of plants creates quite a problem when antibiotic-resistant genes are used. Potentially, antibiotic-resistant genes in crops could hasten the spread of diseases that are untreatable with common antibiotics (Margulis 1999). Specifically, the process occurs when antibiotic resistant marker genes are "transferred to bacteria in the stomach of animals and confer resistance properties, thus eliminating the effectiveness of the antibiotic" (Franks 1999). Other significant health issues arise in allergies. People might be subject to allergies that they never have had to deal with before because certain allergens have been introduced to products that they were not in before.

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