Genetically Modified Crops: A Call for Regulations Page 5

Written by Michael Black

The comeback of "organic" food will also likely provide some relief to the overbearing growth of genetically modified crops. Universities and the government have started lending their support to farmers who are interested in cutting down on or eliminating the use of pesticides and fertilizers (Eller 1990). As the American public continues to become more and more health conscious, "organic" food has almost become a fad for the aspiring health nut. A small Grinnell, Iowa, company that processes unmodified soybeans expects its sales to triple next year to about $10 million (Kilman 1999).

In the end, unfortunately, are fate is in the hands of the government and the FDA. Currently, the FDA's regulations appear to favor industry over consumer protection (Margulis 1999). The FDA decided seven years ago to regard most genetically modified crops as an identical equivalent to conventional crops (Kilman 1999). Without a system that better suits the customer, the cultivation of genetically modified crops could easily get out of control and create a world crisis. Genetic engineering is a frighteningly powerful science that is important not to exploit. It "is not an extension of classical breeding, it is possible to cross relatives to create hybrids - you can cross a donkey and a horse and get a mule - but you can't cross a donkey and an oak tree. But with genetic engineering technology you can cross all the biological boundaries: you can make mice with human growth genes and you can have firefly genes lighting up tobacco plants" (Rifkin 1998). Genetic engineering, if harnessed, can become a powerful tool, but under current regulations, the risks outweigh the gains. It is important that regulations are created to make the testing and labeling of genetically modified foods mandatory to ensure the safety of the environment and the welfare of humanity.