Genetically Modified Crops and Bio-Diversity - Research Paper Example

Genetically modified crops and bio-diversity A genetically modified organism is defined as any living organism possessing a unique combination of genetic material acquired from the use of modern biotechnology, commonly through the transferral of genetic material from one organism to another. Genetic modification has a potential to offer many improvements in the quantity and quality of the world’s food supply, especially if the genuine concerns regarding its safety, impact on the environment and ethics are addressed in a satisfactory manner. Genetically modified organisms were first authorised for sale as food in 1994, amid different views from the international community over the benefits and costs of genetic modification, its associated applications and the cultural, ethnical, social and political issues arising from its use (Orton). Some consider it unnatural proposing its rejection while others, concerned about the pollution, nutritional issues and food supply, are more open to technological innovation. Some still want more information prior to deciding whether to support the full release of GMOs to the environment. Numerous environmental threats from the use of genetically modified crops have been identified and they include the loss of agricultural species and their wild relatives through the process of gene flow, despite it still occurring in non-GM crops (Orton). Throughout the 20th century, conventional breeding has created a huge number of hybrids and as a result, varieties which have contributed immensely more yields, stable harvests and reliable farm income. Despite this, the battle against world hunger is still far from over. The rapidly increasing human population, insufficient poverty eradication programs and the changing demographics have greatly battered the successes of the Green Revolution (Orton). For genetic modification of food to continually meet the need of the ever increasing world’s population, both bio-technology and conventional technologies are necessary. Depending on the context, genetic modification still remains a controversial issue both as potential threat and as an opportunity for biodiversity conversation. Biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from different sources that comprise of the marine, terrestrial, aquatic ecosystems and other ecological complexes that they are part of, including the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. The pressure on biodiversity is continually increasing. The main predominant threats on biodiversity include loss of habitats, degradation from agriculture and development of infrastructure, pollution overexploitation and invasive alien species. Several responses have been made concerning the loss and degradation of biodiversity and although these have failed to reduce the decline, more effort is needed (Roller). Some responses include those of adopting policies that manage the invasive alien species and genetically modified organisms (including crops). GM crops pose a risk in reducing the agricultural and crop diversity which are the basis of poor farmer livelihoods and the food sovereignty of developing nations. Three quarters of the original varieties of agricultural crops have been lost since 1900 as export led agriculture has encouraged monoculture for a more uniform global market. GM crops threaten to eat away at biodiversity more (Roller). GM proponents argue that genetic engineering is indispensable so as to supply tomorrow’s world with food and natural resources. However there has been a drastic decrease in the diversity of the flora and fauna field. Due to the spread of commercial seeds and high performance cultivars, well adapted local varieties have been eliminated. Farmers become continually unable to cultivate their own seeds. GM “super-plants” usually accelerates the reduction in diversity as they are designed for implementation of mono cultures and economic sovereignty (IUCN). This demonstrates the amounts of variants that have been and will be lost in the future as a consequence of genetic modification. GM proponents claim that GM crops will contribute to the conservation of forests indirectly by allowing marginal land to be cultivated and hence prevent further deforestation for conversion to cropland. Actual experiences however indicate that GM crop cultivation tends to accelerate the change of land use. The spread of GM crops can lead to expansion of agriculture which is sometimes accompanied by intensification. Elements in the environment interact with each other directly or indirectly. Elements like animals, plants, and soil interact within their ecosystems. The significances of these interactions may eventually become evident after some years, where the delicate equilibrium of the soil and the susceptibility of the species to diseases and the process of pollination may be altered eventually. GM crops are spread through the normal natural processes like hibernation of the seed and pollen flight which may become a threat for the surrounding conservation areas or farms (Orton). For instance, maize pollen may be transferred by insects or wind over long distances resulting to the transmission of disease or herbicide resistance to non-GM or wild varieties that grow long away. Seed drills and harvests also aid in the dispersion of genetically modified plants and seeds. Biotechnology concerns in the agricultural field pays off twice; there are earnings from selling both the seeds and herbicides. These herbicides may harm the soil wherever they are applied in agriculture. They may also cause harm to animals, water, human beings and the environment. In some cases, they tend to promote breeding of secondary pests such as mites and bugs, which would need to be controlled by insecticides in the long run. Furthermore the effects of GM crops in the biodiversity is realised in the growth of super- bugs and super-weeds, as the over reliance on a single pesticide will eventually lead to resistance in the pest community (IUCN). Global food productivity has generally been a success story over the past decades. The per capita food production has been increased from different parts of the world by the application of conventional practices. However, in Africa, there has been a generally stagnant growth of the per capita cereal production especially due to the limited available technology. Many believe that food security will be achieved sufficiently by addressing poverty, protecting the bio diversity, matching local needs to new technologies, participation of poor people and promotion of the local needs. In Africa for instance, poverty and hunger go hand in hand. Investing in new technologies like GM crops tends to favour industrial farming instead of addressing the problems facing local communities (Orton). It also undermines the solutions that already exist to solve the hunger problem and provide nutritional food to the people. Mostly, Gm crops yields do not seem to be more than those of non-GM crops and need more chemicals to thrive. This proves that they are unlikely to eradicate poverty. New GM technologies fail to address the underlying political and economic causes of food insecurity, which is inequality and poverty. They fail to consider the primal constraints such as lack of access to land, energy and water, agricultural training, decent roads, inadequate storage facilities, and infrastructure. Fact is that GM could be detrimental to the small scale poor farmers as the costs are too much and they are in risk of falling into debt (Orton). GM crop varieties also fails to meet the needs of the poor farmers who in order to meet the diverse environmental, production and consumption needs, rely on affordable readily available seeds supply for the crops they cultivate. GM seeds are focussed at the large-scale commercial farmers that grow cash crops in monocultures. This is quite detrimental to food security through wastage of scarce resources of the poor farmers and the developing countries. For instance, GM in Africa focuses on exports commonly grown in large plantations. GM crops also pose a risk to the basic rights of farmers as seeds must be bought each season (Roller). Farmers are forced to signed contracts that oblige them to pay royalty fees, only use chemicals on them, not to save or replant seeds from harvests and even give the company access to their property to verify their compliance. These make the seeds prohibitive for the poor farmers who lack access to credit. Developing countries governments are still under a lot of pressure to adopt GM crops, putting their scarce resources into research in the GM field and with commitment open their arms to biotech tech companies before informing their people properly. Poor farmers and communities are often side lined and during the debates and decisions about GM technology (Roller). An estimated 800 million people from all over the world have eaten genetically modified foods or food ingredients, and this has had no adverse effects on their health. No reports of fatalities from the consumption of GM foods have been reported so far. Regardless of this, many people still have a negative notion about GM foods. Consumers often ask, “Are GM foods safe?” Science may not guarantee absolute safety since absence of evidence does not necessarily mean evidence of no harm (Roller). The widespread adoption of GM crops seems likely to aggravate the fundamental causes of food insecurity, leading to more hungry people, not fewer. To have a lasting impact on poverty, I believe policy makers need to address the real restraints facing poor communities – lack of access to land, credit, funds and marketplaces – instead of concentrating on risky technologies that have no track record in eradicating hunger. Applying GMO technology to crops is likely to benefit the poor only if the right technology is developed in an appropriate way and put into the right hands. Work Cited IUCN. Current Knowledge Of The Impacts Of Genetically Modified Organisms On Biodiversity And Human Health. Information Paper. New York: IUCN, 2007. Print. Orton, Liz . GM crops – going against the grain. London: Action Aid, 2003. Print. Roller, Sibel . Genetically Modified Foods: Threat or Opportunity? London: CMYK, 2001. Print. Read More