Economic While many European countries initially rejected the idea of GM foods, the growing economic need for cheaper food in greater quantities overwhelmed the majority of other concerns. In fact, the global GM seed market had grown to about $6.9 billion in 2007, with an even more promising future, assuming declining economic conditions (Cage, 2008). Outside of Europe, other developing countries also began farming GM crops (21 countries, in fact), as their financial need, coupled with hunger, drove them to resort to such measures (Fukuda-Par, 2007). Despite the growing public concerns that have risen against GM crops, the financial benefits that resulted from their introduction were staggering. GM crops even helped Thailand recover from China's economic crisis in 1997, and the tax-free trade they were insisting on because of it (Weasel, 2009). Economies were (and still are) shook and shifted by the effects of GM foods. However, slowly but surely, the world is creeping back into its original stance on the issue. In fact, surveys indicate that public support for GM foods dropped 5% from 2006 to 2007 alone (Cage, 2008). This goes to show that consumers are becoming more aware of the products they purchase, and are seeing their purchases as a form of support to the companies from which they choose to purchase their goods and/or services. GM foods have developed a bad public image, and the idea of "Frankenstein Food" is becoming impossible to market (Savitz & Weber, 2006). Consumers are undoubtedly becoming more aware, as well as emotional. In this new marketplace, there is far less room for companies who place their focus solely on their bottom line. GM farmers using dangerous chemicals and pesticides aren't doing as well in the modern market. In fact, they're being met with protests and heavy opposition, like the Monsanto Corporation when they tried introducing GM crops to Europe, a 96 million dollar mistake (Kiernan, 2009). Dollars and cents are slowly starting to agree that consumers (and farmers) still prefer their food the natural way, assuming they can afford it.
Health
One of the major concerns that arise when examining GM-foods is the increase in health related issues including liver, heart, and brain damage.GM-foods are already a part of our daily diets. More than 80% of processed foods in the US contain GM-foods. These include vegetables, rice, corn, soybeans, salad dressings, soft drinks, eggs, chicken, and even baby formulas. Consumers are not aware that these products contain GM-food because labeling is prohibited. In a lab test rats were fed GM potatoes. Their results came as follows, "had smaller livers, hearts, testicles and brains, damaged immune systems, and showed structural changes in their white blood cells making them more vulnerable to infection and disease compared to rats fed non GM-foods. Thymus and spleen damage showed up; enlarged tissues, including the pancreas and intestines; and there were cases of liver atrophy as well as significant proliferation of stomach and intestines cells that could be a sign of greater future risk of cancer. Equally alarming results showed up after 10 days of testing, and they persisted after 110 days that's the human's equivalent of 10 years". (Smith's, 2007).
Consumer Reaction
The School of Economics, University of Maine, conducted a survey about consumer reactions to genetically modified foods.The result varies among three consumer segments with different attitudes to the risks and benefits of GM foods. One segment (33% of respondents) is very worried about potential health and environmental risks and does not consider potential benefits as important (Risk Avoiders). Risk Dismissers (23% of responents) are almost a mirror image as they are relatively positive about benefits and consider the risks to be a much lower priority. The last and largest (44% of respondents) segment (Balanced But Interested) find both potential benefits and risks as important, and unlike the other two segments, does not seem to hold strong opinions for or against GM foods (Teisl, Radar, & Roe, 2008, p. 454).
Benefits & Drawbacks of Gentically Modified Food
Benefits of GM food
Drawbacks of GM food
Less damage by insects, virus, bacteria, etc.
Lead to the growth of "superweeds"
Herbicides will kill only weeds, not crops
Increase use of toxic and persistent pesticides
Can be shipped with less damage
Reduce biodiversity and put our food security at risk
Improved eating quality
Increased use of chemicals in agriculture
Better tasting (Improved Sweetness)
Effect on beneficial insects
Withstands freezing and thawing
Can create new plant pathogens
Absorbs less oil when fried
Impact on the rights of farmers
Better fiber properties
Inadequate testing requirements
Faster growth
Increase environmental toxins
May provide immunity to Hepatitis
Increase bioaccumulate toxins in the food chain
The next page will focus on some of the problems and solutions associated with Genetically Modified food. Next
Economic
While many European countries initially rejected the idea of GM foods, the growing economic need for cheaper food in greater quantities overwhelmed the majority of other concerns. In fact, the global GM seed market had grown to about $6.9 billion in 2007, with an even more promising future, assuming declining economic conditions (Cage, 2008). Outside of Europe, other developing countries also began farming GM crops (21 countries, in fact), as their financial need, coupled with hunger, drove them to resort to such measures (Fukuda-Par, 2007). Despite the growing public concerns that have risen against GM crops, the financial benefits that resulted from their introduction were staggering. GM crops even helped Thailand recover from China's economic crisis in 1997, and the tax-free trade they were insisting on because of it (Weasel, 2009). Economies were (and still are) shook and shifted by the effects of GM foods. However, slowly but surely, the world is creeping back into its original stance on the issue. In fact, surveys indicate that public support for GM foods dropped 5% from 2006 to 2007 alone (Cage, 2008). This goes to show that consumers are becoming more aware of the products they purchase, and are seeing their purchases as a form of support to the companies from which they choose to purchase their goods and/or services. GM foods have developed a bad public image, and the idea of "Frankenstein Food" is becoming impossible to market (Savitz & Weber, 2006). Consumers are undoubtedly becoming more aware, as well as emotional. In this new marketplace, there is far less room for companies who place their focus solely on their bottom line. GM farmers using dangerous chemicals and pesticides aren't doing as well in the modern market. In fact, they're being met with protests and heavy opposition, like the Monsanto Corporation when they tried introducing GM crops to Europe, a 96 million dollar mistake (Kiernan, 2009). Dollars and cents are slowly starting to agree that consumers (and farmers) still prefer their food the natural way, assuming they can afford it.
Health
One of the major concerns that arise when examining GM-foods is the increase in health related issues including liver, heart, and brain damage.GM-foods are already a part of our daily diets. More than 80% of processed foods in the US contain GM-foods. These include vegetables, rice, corn, soybeans, salad dressings, soft drinks, eggs, chicken, and even baby formulas. Consumers are not aware that these products contain GM-food because labeling is prohibited. In a lab test rats were fed GM potatoes. Their results came as follows, "had smaller livers, hearts, testicles and brains, damaged immune systems, and showed structural changes in their white blood cells making them more vulnerable to infection and disease compared to rats fed non GM-foods. Thymus and spleen damage showed up; enlarged tissues, including the pancreas and intestines; and there were cases of liver atrophy as well as significant proliferation of stomach and intestines cells that could be a sign of greater future risk of cancer. Equally alarming results showed up after 10 days of testing, and they persisted after 110 days that's the human's equivalent of 10 years". (Smith's, 2007).
Consumer Reaction
The School of Economics, University of Maine, conducted a survey about consumer reactions to genetically modified foods.The result varies among three consumer segments with different attitudes to the risks and benefits of GM foods.
One segment (33% of respondents) is very worried about potential health and environmental risks and does not consider potential benefits as important (Risk Avoiders). Risk Dismissers (23% of responents) are almost a mirror image as they are relatively positive about benefits and consider the risks to be a much lower priority. The last and largest (44% of respondents) segment (Balanced But Interested) find both potential benefits and risks as important, and unlike the other two segments, does not seem to hold strong opinions for or against GM foods (Teisl, Radar, & Roe, 2008, p. 454).
Benefits & Drawbacks of Gentically Modified Food
The next page will focus on some of the problems and solutions associated with Genetically Modified food.
Next