Writer Biography

Stephen Odd is from beautiful Cache Valley, Utah, and he is currently studying Biological Engineering at Utah State with the goal of working in the medical field designing medical equipment. He tries to get involved at USU and is currently volunteering at a research lab performing DNA analysis of sheep. Odd is a passionate outdoorsman and loves living where he can enjoy all his favorite activities, such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Extreme sports aren’t everything to him, though. He also loves classical concerts, taco trucks, and a good cup of cocoa.

This essay was first published in the 2017 edition of Voices and uses MLA documentation.

“The situation is dire. Millions of people are barely surviving in the space between malnutrition and death, vulnerable to diseases and outbreak, forced to kill their animals for food and eat the grain they saved for next year’s seeds. This is preventable if the international community takes decisive action. I urge all members of the international community to step up and to do whatever is in their power, […] The lives of millions of people depend on our collective ability to act. In our world of plenty, there is no excuse for inaction or indifference. We have heard the alerts. Now there is no time to lose.”

SCENES LIKE THIS ONE, as urgently described by United Nations Secretary-General Chief António Guterres’s words on February 22, 2017, are increasingly becoming commonplace in our world (Tackling, 2017). In less than a century, the global human population will undergo a projected 53.4% increase, resulting in a world population of over 11 billion. Most of this projected growth is happening in countries that don’t have the economy, infrastructure, or stability needed to support this sharp increase in community size. The world already buckles under stresses posed to humans that we as a species are unable to manipulate, such as natural disasters that seem to become more extreme as the years pass and climates around the world that convulse in unpredictable ways. New parasites, weeds, and pests, with their accompanying diseases, grow in frequency around the globe. In addition to natural phenomena, human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, war and conflict, mining, and overfishing are escalating. Ecosystems are straining to keep up with the bipolar nature of humans; some wastefully grow too much food while many more can’t grow enough. Incorporating more transgenic crops in agriculture will enable humans to unite nature and scientific knowledge to alleviate these stresses throughout the world and will further societies and their development by providing cheaper products, more stable economies, and healthier populations.

Some scientists and the public in general worry about transgenic crops and cite valid concerns ranging from the economy to human health. The science, though it can seem highly technical and hard to understand, is actually nothing that new. It is also easier to understand than many think. Once properly understood, transgenic crops will no longer appear so shrouded in mystery and their benefits will become clear. So, what is this wonderful science?

To understand that, one must travel back to the beginnings of human history, over 74,000 years ago. Around this time, the human family tree boasted many lineages including Homo erectus and Homo floresiensis. Fast forward to 12,000 years ago and all but one branch, Homo sapiens, have become extinct. This branch of the family tree was also close to vanishing (Development, n.d.). How did our species manage to not only survive but thrive? Around this time humans lived a nomadic lifestyle and lived in small populations. What changed is what anthropology experts now call the “Agriculture Revolution” (Smithsonian, 2010). The small, close-knit populations of humans started to invest more time and resources into one of the most revolutionary sciences humans have ever developed: agriculture. Suddenly, these hunter-gatherer groups established small settlements. Abundant labor, reliable food, and increased safety promoted human population growth. Humans left the Neolithic age a more resilient population by uniting nature and science. By developing new techniques in agriculture, these ancient people laid the framework for modern society. Transgenic crops are the next step in what was started so long ago. These crops have the potential to change modern society just as it changed society 12,000 years ago.

Beginning in the Agriculture Revolution, humans selected crops that gave improved fruits or seeds to try and get plants that yielded higher quality results. As before, it starts by identifying a problem with a current crop variety: for example, the lack of vitamin A in rice grains. A farmer hoping to solve this dilemma might look much like a baker who has no idea what they are doing. Instead of a pinch of salt or added flour, the farmer may attempt a bit of cross-breeding or creative pollination. Sometimes they, like the baker, get lucky and get a good result. Most often, nothing but an inedible mess is the result. Modern transgenic attempts are more precise and have successful outcomes. Through the processes that are available today, selecting traits is much more convenient, controlled, and efficient (Mark, 2014). Modern genetic science and technology has allowed us to understand how plants, like spinach, synthesize vitamin A. Like a baker, reading or sharing cooking recipes, geneticists can copy the spinach’s recipe, or gene, for vitamin A and give it to rice. The geneticist does this by telling rice how spinach makes vitamin A by giving rice the same gene. Once the rice has this new gene, it starts to produce vitamin A, and the new rice contains a nutrient needed for good vision and general health.

One of the biggest concerns regarding transgenic crops is the misinformed public. Common concerns the public voices include everything from possible negative economic outcomes of the crops to the ethics of these crops. Most of these claims, however, are about health-related concerns. Many feel that these transgenic crops are unfit for human consumption. Research conducted by Brandon McFadden, a professor of agriculture and food marketing at the University of Florida, peered into this shroud of confusion surrounding genetically modified crops. Citing research from the Pew Research Center, McFadden clarifies that 88% of the scientists who are members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which is the largest collection of scientists in the world, “agreed that it is safe to eat GM foods.” This was compared to a survey of U.S. adults which found that only 37% “believed GM foods are safe to eat.” It is believed that such discord is caused by people leaning towards their own emotions instead of their logic and that these issues, and ones like it, have become politicalized (McFadden, 2016). All of this makes for some muddled opinions. Science has shown that no transgenic crops possess a greater inherent risk as compared to current agricultural practices. Still, the public refuses to listen. Maybe they just need a better grasp of the science.

The science and technology, once understood, will seem familiar to most consumers. By discussing one of the most common health concerns, allergies, and comparing it to what industry and society is currently doing, consumers will be able to grasp the concept more. Multiple proponents of more traditional agriculture techniques suggest that by inter-transferring genes among species, allergies could be spread. This threat is a legitimate one but can be easily sidestepped. Referring to the analogy of cooking, if one is allergic to peanuts they can’t cook with peanut oil or eat peanut butter. Does that mean none of us can? No of course not! It means awareness has and is being raised, food items are accurately labeled, and alternatives like vegetable oils are available. Studies on allergies are extensive and most of their causes are known, down to the genes that cause them. Geneticists flag amino acids when testing for the safety of genes that share even a 35% homology, or similarity, with known allergens when testing for them which, according to the University of Nebraska’s Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, is quite conservative. Once flags have been raised, more testing is conducted on these amino acids and proteins (DeFrancesco, 2013). If known genes that act like allergens arise, then the process of gene transcription is restarted with different genes. Science isn’t looking for new subversive ways to kill people off. These are sensible members of society and come from many different backgrounds. The concerns about allergies then, are valid, but already resolved. By using what is already known and put in place, transgenic science doesn’t seem so foreign.

What else can we apply from other aspects of society to help the integration of transgenic crops? Another major concern can already find its answer in the world: the companies that own the modified seeds will become corrupt and manipulate various world populations. The fear is that companies will engineer their plants with termination genes, which would force the farmers to buy new seeds every year. The companies would own the seeds, not the farmer, and could pass unreasonable demands or high costs onto the farmer (Genetically, n.d). What the critics forget in this instance is that the economy is involved. One of the basic tenets of Western economics is that there is a free market. If a company is charging too much for a product, other companies will come in and undercut that price as dictated by Market Equilibrium (Market, n.d.). If there are a multitude of companies, the market will be competitive. To curb monopolies or companies having too much control over any particular sector, legislation can be passed (Attorneys, 2010). As an additional protection, current crop varieties wouldn’t disappear either, which provides a safety net for anyone that believes the companies controlling these crops are, in whatever way, too restrictive. As for the concern that companies would purposefully produce toxic crops, they would really have a hard time doing anything subversive because most of the research done on future, current, and past transgenic crops is commissioned by developed countries’ governments, meaning the companies must meet these agencies requirements to receive approval (Ramon, 2014). In the United States, the EPA, USDA, and FDA all control transgenic crops, making them the most tightly regulated crop in the U.S. markets (Freedman, 2013).

What are some of the benefits of using transgenic crops? First off, there is an economic benefit. Modern genetically modified crops are cheaper to produce, grow, and sell. This idea ties back to the Agricultural Revolution. When one farmer produces more food, other members of society have the freedom to become craftsmen, artists, scientists, and the like. In a similar fashion, with these new crops, many areas will be able to produce more high-quality nutrient-rich foods, opening the way for advances in other areas of study (Agribusiness, 2016). Transgenic foods are cheaper for a host of reasons. Transgenic agriculture would offer advantages such as being less dependent on water and pesticides (Attorneys, 2010). This not only would save upfront costs of growing these plants but would result in a ripple effect throughout most industries (Cheaper, 2013). Industries that use plant goods, such as clothing, energy, and even plastic will all see cheaper raw materials. If cotton is more readily available, cotton products will drop in price. If fields don’t have to be sprayed or watered, fewer personnel are needed to maintain the farm (Freedman, 2013). These types of changes are essential for an economy to develop. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and a global economy is only as strong as its weakest economy. Given engineered crops, many under-developed countries could bring the economic prosperity required for a stable society (African, 2016). Growing crops in more arid places or for cheaper prices will also affect the living standard for many around the world.

One of the major benefits of transgenic crops is their ability to help improve life for so many around the world. Currently, one million people die annually from a vitamin A deficiency. An additional half a million suffer from blindness due to vitamin A deficiency (Freedman, 2013). There is a solution to this! Crops that have been engineered to grow better with less water can be grown in places that were previously considered too arid. Another possibility is to add more nutrients to crops that already grow, such as golden rice, which is the same as typical rice but is fortified with vitamin A (Freedman, 2013). Countries that cannot grow enough crops to be self-sustaining are costing other countries billions of dollars annually in relief help (Feed, 2004). These less-developed countries have developed a dependency on foreign aid, opening the door to instability, destitution, corruption, and low standards of living (African, 2016). Billions of dollars could be spent on other worthwhile projects, such as promoting medicine, the environment, or even helping a broader range of people. As the living standards of these most destitute countries rise so will the living standards of the world as a whole.

Investing in transgenic crops will help lower the costs of modern agriculture, increase more ecological practices, provide essential nutrients, provide stability, and increase the general standard of living for many societies around the world. It is up to us to change to meet the challenge. Those who have the ability to change policies that restrict transgenic crops and their production should immediately do so. We must begin using these crops to help others that are less fortunate. To the leaders of industry and agriculture, start using transgenic crops, and show what can be done with them. As for the rest of us, we must evolve too. We must buy these crops to make this amazing technology work. As we do, our world will change with us. Nature is evolution; it is always trying to present its best self and evolve to meet the challenge of survival head-on. Nature isn’t perfect, but we know that it is successful.

Stemming from a single cell, life has grown into a complex web of new ideas that nature herself came up with. Humans must accept this push forward, or we will be left to the same fate as others that have failed to evolve quickly enough. Transgenic crops aren’t so much about having evolution on demand; they are the answer to the demands of evolution.

Works Cited

“African Famine Relief.” Global Issues in Context Online Collection, Gale, 2016. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/ CP3208520192/GIC?u=pioneer&xid=26667e55. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

“Agribusiness.” Global Issues in Context Online Collection, Gale, 2016. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CP3208520262/GIC?u=pioneer&xid=e065f678. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

“Attorneys general critical of genetically engineered seed companies.” Biotechnology Law Report, vol. 29, no. 4, 2010, p. 403. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A234148071/GIC?u=pio-neer&xid=d720855f. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

“Cheaper biofuel from GM fungi.” Agriculture Today, 7 Aug. 2013. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A340057161/GIC?u=pioneer&xid=0ff46673. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

DeFrancesco, Laura. “How safe does transgenic food need to be?” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 10 Sept. 2013, www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v31/n9/abs/nbt.2686.html. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.

“Feed starving masses, not irrational fears.” USA Today, 26 May 2004, p. 10A. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133426772/GIC?u=pioneer&xid=c3a68d8c. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

Freedman, David H. “The Truth about Genetically Modified Food.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2013, www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-food/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.

“Genetically Modified Foods.” Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, How-stuffworks.com, www.stufftheydontwantyoutoknow.com/videos/stdwytk-classic-gmo-foods-video.htm. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

Mark, Sagoff. “Agriculture and Biotechnology.” Bioethics, edited by Bruce Jennings, 4th ed., vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2014, pp. 132-137. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3727400044/GIC?u=pioneer&xid=d341b439. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

“Market Equilibrium.” BusinessDictionary.com, Web Finance Inc., www.businessdictionary.com/definition/market-equilibrium.html. Accessed 19 Apr. 2017.

McFadden, Brandon R. “Examining the Gap between Science and Public Opinion About Genetically Modified Food and Global Warming.” PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, 9 Nov. 2016, journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0166140. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017.

Ramon, Matthew, et al. “RNAi‐based GM plants: food for thought for risk assessors.” Plant Biotechnology Journal,  28 Nov. 2014, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12305/abstract. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “Humans Change the World.” Humans Change the World | The Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Institute, 1 Mar. 2010, humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/humans-change-world. Accessed 5 Apr. 2017.

“Tackling hunger crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen requires $4.4 billion – UN.” UN News Center, United Nations, 22 Feb. 2017, www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56223#.WO2wQYgrLD6. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

“The Development of Agriculture.” Genographic Project, National Geographic, genographic.nationalgeographic.com/development-of-agriculture/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

Vidal, John. “‘I was so hungry I ate water lilies’: southern Africa’s food crisis in a dozen dishes | John Vidal.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Dec. 2016, www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/dec/17/hungry-ate-water-lilies-southern-africa-food-crisis-dozen-dishes-crop-failure-drought-john-vidal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

Zhang, Meng, and Guo‐Liang Liu. “The effects of consumer’s subjective and objective knowledge on perceptions and attitude towards genetically modified foods: objective knowledge as a determinant.” International Journal of Food Science & Technology, International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 14 Feb. 2015, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijfs.12753/full. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.