Genetically modified foods (GMOs) have been praised for their ability to increase yields and adapt to climate change, but there are still concerns about their safety and morality. Some argue that GMOs are an inevitable technology to solve the food problem caused by population growth.
We cannot go through life without eating food. In Korea, where rice is the staple food, it is very important to grow rice that is adaptable to climate change. The yield and production of rice varies greatly depending on the geographical environment. Rice in Northeast Asia and the Americas has very high yields, but it is not adaptable to rapid climate change. Conversely, rice in Africa is well adapted to climate change, but yields are low. If we could genetically combine the best of both worlds, we could create an optimal rice that is both high-yielding and adaptable to climate change.
In the past, plants of the same species or genus that can interbreed naturally have been artificially crossed to obtain varieties with superior traits. This method sometimes produces the desired traits in later generations, but sometimes it also produces undesirable traits. In such cases, the individuals with the most desirable traits were selected from the later generations and the process was repeated. This traditional method of breeding has the disadvantage of being time-consuming. However, artificial breeding through genetic manipulation takes much less time and has the advantage of selecting only the best traits among organisms that cannot interbreed naturally. This method is called genetic modification.
GMO stands for ‘Genetically Modified Organism’, which can be translated into English as ‘genetically modified organism’. Genes contain information about the unique characteristics of an organism, and these characteristics are passed on to the next generation. All living things have genes, and a gene is a unit of genetic information. Genes in cells contain the information needed to make proteins that are important in life and are made up of DNA. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had some of these genes manipulated, inserting useful genes into another organism to make it exhibit certain properties.
There are two processes for creating genetically modified organisms: the Agrobacterium method and the gene pool method. The agrobacterium method uses a bacterium called Agrobacterium. This is a soil bacterium that causes root canker disease in plants, and it transfers its genes to the plant’s chromosomes to create clumps of cancerous cells. Researchers remove the tumour-causing genes from the bacteria, spliced in useful genes, and contacted the plant cells to transfer the genes. When the modified plant cells are cultured, plants with the altered genetic traits grow. The gene gun method involves coating metal particles (gold, tungsten, etc.) with useful genes and shooting them into plant cells with a high-pressure gas. In this way, genes can be introduced directly into the chromosomes of plant cells. Another method is microinjection, which involves modifying genes in animals. This method involves injecting very small amounts of a substance into a fertilised egg.
Genetically modified foods have been commercially available since 1993, and their range has expanded significantly over the past 20 years. Today, pest-resistant corn and herbicide-resistant soya are grown in large quantities in the Americas. GMOs now account for 70 per cent of the world’s soybeans and 30 per cent of its corn. In the United States alone, more than 90 per cent of soybeans produced are GMO varieties. However, there are ongoing concerns that genetically modified foods can cause harm to humans. In fact, a French study found that GM corn damaged the livers of rats and may cause cancer. However, French government agencies and the European Food Safety Authority refused to recognise the study due to the small number of rats and the use of cancer-prone mice, and the paper was eventually retracted.
People are resistant to the idea of genetic modification and have a vague fear that GMOs will cause problems. Opponents of GMO development argue that the safety of genetically modified foods has not been clearly proven. The food we eat should be proven safe over time. Opponents argue that ‘genetically modified foods have no long-term proven side effects’ and that new substances can have serious effects on the human body. This is simply not true. As we said, GMOs have been around for over 20 years, and the United States in particular has been eating these grains for 20 years without any adverse reactions. During this time, GMOs have been thoroughly tested for safety, so it’s safe to say that the foods that have been approved for use are safe.
In addition, opponents argue that the cost of buying seeds for genetically modified foods increases the burden on consumers. It’s true that the development of genetically modified foods is expensive. However, it allows us to create plants that are resistant to climate change or pests, which leads to increased crop yields. The use of pesticides is reduced, and farmers’ labour costs are reduced, increasing their income. This in turn benefits the consumer. Therefore, the claim of increased consumer burden is not correct. In fact, research shows that there is a lack of scientific evidence of harm from GMOs. A decade of EU-funded research on biotech crops has demonstrated the safety of genetically engineered foods and their acceptability in the food sector in the future. This study is noteworthy because it is the first official recognition of the safety of GMO foods in the European Union.
According to the United Nations Sub-Commission on Population, the world population is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2025. Developing countries, in particular, are the main contributors to the world’s population growth. This population growth will exacerbate the global food problem. While the population continues to grow, global grain production is expected to decline. Global warming has led to a sharp decline in grain production in South Asia, and China has already become a food importer, importing huge amounts of grain. If the populations of China and India suffer from grain shortages, the amount of grain available on the world market could also be insufficient.
One of the ways to address these food shortages is to develop new varieties through genetic modification. Genetic modification can be used to create plants that are better adapted to rapid climate change, and to develop grains that can withstand high temperatures and drought. It can also create crops that are resistant to pests. In fact, pest-resistant genetically modified produce has been developed. This is done by introducing a protein (Bt protein) that kills the larvae of certain pests and is safe for human consumption. Genetically modified foods produced through this process increase grain production and stabilise food prices. Once prices are stabilised, developing and underdeveloped countries can be given the opportunity to provide adequate nutrition. Genetically modified foods based on biotechnology are being developed for this very purpose.
The advantages of genetically modified foods are not limited to increased production. It is possible to develop foods that are nutritionally superior to conventional foods, such as ‘golden rice’ with a high vitamin A content. The same amount of food can provide more nutrients, which is positive, but it can also contribute to the preservation of the environment by developing genetically modified microorganisms that are better at cleaning the environment, breaking down, removing, and absorbing environmental pollutants.
Currently, genetic modification technology is being used in a variety of fields beyond food development. It is being applied to produce environmentally friendly and economical products in many fields, such as biochemicals for low-carbon green growth, bioenergy, and biopharmaceuticals for personalised treatment. Biopharmaceuticals require highly sophisticated technology, and the added value they generate is unimaginable. Biopharmaceuticals can cure incurable diseases and are used as anti-cancer drugs such as interferon. However, mass production is not easy with current technology. If technology improves and biopharmaceuticals can be produced cheaply and in large quantities, many terminally ill patients could benefit.
Genetic modification is highly controversial, and the debate is polarised between pro and con. But one thing is clear: the era of genetic modification is here to stay. While the safety and morality of genetically modified foods is debated, it is clear that it is an unavoidable technology for population growth and survival.
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