Graviton Gazette

And yeah, that's basically it

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has sparked a worldwide controversy nowadays. GMO are organisms that have been genetically modified to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides and abnormally rapid growth using the latest molecular biology and biotechnology techniques Scientists strongly believe that these genetically engineered plants represent a technology with enormous potential for increasing food production in an environmentally benevolent way. However, threats imposed to human health and biodiversity are highly significant that one cannot deny the fact that GMO sacrifices the humanity and the environment for the sake of revenues and shareholder value. I strongly believe that GMO programs must not be implemented in the country.

Why not? According to the study conducted by Roullier et.al entitled “A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health”, GMO possess signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to each GM corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded. In this study, rats are fed with the three main commercialized genetically modified (GM) maize (NK 603, MON 810, MON 863), which are present in food and are currently fed in the world. After 90 days, these rats were analyzed and results clearly revealed the side effects of the three GMOs linked with GM maize consumption, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly associated with the kidney and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, although it was different among the three GMOs. Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system. This conclusion strongly suggests that GMOs have detrimental effects to the mammalian health, and therefore it is inevitable that these effects may also occur to the human body.

Also, according to Brown University, the genetic modification of GMO often mixes or adds proteins that weren’t indigenous to the original plant causing new allergic reactions to the human body. Some GMO foods have had antibiotic features added to them so they are resistant to certain diseases and viruses. When humans eat them, these antibiotics features persist in our bodies and make actual antibiotic medications less effective, according to the study of Iowa State University.

GMO can not only harm the human health but according to the following sources, it may also affect other organisms unintentionally.A Cornell study reported that toxic pollen from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn has led to the deaths of monarch butterflies. Though, Bt corn produces its own insecticide to kill crop-damaging pests, it also kills "nontarget" organisms like honeybees and ladybugs, which are essential to agricultural ecosystems as pollinators or predators of pests. Also, the modified genes may escape into the wild. Brown University warns if herbicide resistant genes cross into wild weeds, a super weed that is resistant to herbicides can be created. Making plants resistant to bacteria can cause bacteria to become stronger and harder to kill. There have been isolated cases of animals dying after eating genetically modified foods.

Although some countries have been confidently introducing GMOs in their agriculture, the biggest concern still remains unfolded here in the Philippines, that is, there has not been enough testing of GMOs and no real long term testing to detect possible problems. So, as far as we are concerned not only in our health but also with regards to our environment, it can be concluded that GMO still pose a threat to human health and biodiversity. Therefore, the implementation of the GMO campaign in the Philippines must be prevented. The risk of genetically modified foods to health and the environment outweigh the benefits. Even if its implementation means to increase food supply and boost the country’s economy, its harmful effects in the long run are worse that will just lead us to another possible major problem of the country, widespread diseases and disturbed ecological and biological diversity.