The Brief
Get Up To SpeedGenetically modified (GM) foods have been around for decades. Created by modifying the DNA of one organism through the introduction of genes from another, they are developed for a number of different reasons'to fight disease, enhance flavor, resist pests, improve nutrition, survive drought'and are mainly found in our food supply in processed foods using corn, soybeans, and sugar beets, and as feed for farm animals. Across the country and around the world, communities are fighting the cultivation of genetically engineered crops. Are they safe? How do they impact the environment? Can they improve food security? Is the world better off with or without GM food?
View Debate PageRobert Fraley
- Executive VP & Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto
The conversation itself around GMOs in many ways has become a distraction to the real issues and challenges and conversations we should be having around food security. Because as important as the GMO technology has been, its only one tool in an arsenal of many tools that farmers will need.
Robert Fraley, Andrew Kimbrell, Nathaneal Johnson, and Jessica Lundberg gather at the Commonwealth Club to discuss GMOs and related issues in our food system.
The debate over GMOs has tended to sidetrack progress on the development of a common agenda to solving the global food security problem.
GMO crops are not just important, but critical, to feeding the world.
At some point, proponents of GM crops would hope that the scientific community's endorsement of GM crops would win more mainstream acceptance, as vaccines have. Yet it appears that for some people -- whether the issue is vaccination, GM technology, pasteurization or climate change -- there can never be enough proof.
Alison Van Eenennaam
- Genomics and Biotechnology Researcher, UC Davis
No study has revealed any differences in the nutritional profile of animal products derived from GE-fed animals.
Van Eenennaam, author of recent research published in the Journal of Animal Science, explains the details and impact of her findings in an podcast with the US Grains Council.
Van Eenennaam compares conventional and new forms of animal biotechnologies and looks at genetically engineered salmon as a case study.
Despite the fact that the scientific weight of evidence from these hundreds of studies have not revealed unique risks associated with GE feed, some groups are calling for more animal feeding studies. It is an opportune time to review the results of such studies as have been done to date to evaluate the value of the additional information obtained.
Charles Benbrook
- Research Professor, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Contrary to often-repeated claims that todays genetically-engineered crops have, and are reducing pesticide use, the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds in herbicide-resistant weed management systems has brought about substantial increases in the number and volume of herbicides applied.
More independent testing of GE crop safety is needed to (a) resolve lingering uncertainty over the safety of the GE traits currently on the market, and (b) develop advanced testing methods and protocols for application in the testing of future GE food traits.
With genetically engineered crops, the relatively modest decrease in insecticides is more than made up by the huge increase in herbicides.
Margaret Mellon
- Science Policy Consultant & Fmr. Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Although we have many problems associated with our food system, they are not going to be solved by biotechnology.
Panelists address issues of regulation and labeling, the ethics of patenting live organisms, potentially positive applications of genetic engineering, and the appropriate role of the biotechnology industry in the food supply.
Genetic engineering is not a fundamental solution to food and agricultural problems.
In response to criticism of several UCS reports, Mellon details their findings and continued importance.
The phrase conflates the important issues of food production and hunger alleviation.
Simplot potatoes are produced through a new kind of GEgene silencing. Simplots version of gene silencing, called Innate technology, adds genetic fragments derived from cultivated and wild potatoes, but no genetic material from unrelated organisms.
FOR
Biotech crops will have an essential role in ensuring that there's enough to eat.
Genetically engineered crops currently on the market are as safe to eat and safe for the environment as organic or conventional foods
A new meta-analysis provide evidence of the positive agronomic and economic impacts of GMOs. Also, visit Biology Fortifier's "http://genera.biofortified.org/viewall.php">GENERA , a searchable database of research on genetically engineered crops.
AGAINST
We strongly reject claims by GM seed developers and some scientists, commentators, and journalists that there is a scientific consensus on GMO safety and that the debate on this topic is over.
A document providing evidence to refute claims that there is no science behind the case against genetically modifying food, and to refute inflated claims in favor of GM corps.
It's true that GE has provided some real benefits to farmers but those benefits have fallen far short of making a convincing case that GE will be a key component of a sustainable long-term approach to agriculture in the United States. See links to studies from UCS: <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genet... to Yield</a>, <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genet... Sure Fix</a>, and <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genet... and Dry</a>.
Overview
A series of articles on genetically modified food.
<em> Nature</em>s coverage of GM crops.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and answers have been prepared by WHO in response to questions and concerns from WHO Member State Governments with regard to the nature and safety of genetically modified food.
Questions and answers about genetically engineered food.
Questions and answers addressing background, regulation, benefits and risks.
GM Crops
The tables on this page shows all pending petitions and all petitions for which a determination of nonregulated status has been reached.
It's clear that other parts of the world view GMOs as health threats, but it's still an ongoing debate here in America. For now, many GMOs have been deemed safe by organizations like the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Leaving aside the question of whether they're good or bad for a moment, what exactly are GMOs, and which foods are they in?
A potato genetically engineered to reduce the amounts of a potentially harmful ingredient in French fries and potato chips has been approved for commercial planting.
J.R. Simplot is a major french fry supplier to McDonald's, but the fast food chain says it has no plans to switch from conventional varieties
An emerging scientific consensus held that genetic engineering would be required to defeat citrus greening.
There's a raging, global debate about genetically engineered crops.
From the moment the bill to ban genetically engineered crops on the island of Hawaii was introduced in May 2013, it garnered more vocal support than any the County Council here had ever considered, even the perennially popular bids to decriminalize marijuana.
What happened to the Flavr Savr, and what does it tell us about the industry it birthed?
POLLS
Americans don't actually know a lot about genetically modified foods, and so polls suggesting they support their labeling should be taken with a major grain of salt.
Bans & Labeling
The battle over an Oregon measure to require labeling of genetically altered food appeared headed to a recount as new totals showed it losing by fewer than 1,500 votes.
Vermont has the right to require that genetically modified foods sold within the state be labeled, the state attorney general argued in papers filed Friday in federal court.
Two Oregon counties voted in bans on GMOs last week, here's a look at some of the issues and factors involved.
