Although there have been extensive studies and great strides regarding GMOs, it is safe to say at this point in history, this is only the beginning. Scientists constantly conduct research on GMOs to create innovative methods of food production that will improve society.
"Plants for the Future" was written by the European Commission, European Plant Science Organization, European Association for Bioindustries, and the purpose of the document is to have a research plan for Europe in regards to biotechnology and GMOs. According to the document, bioengineered plants will greatly benefit Europe after altering how genetically modified crops function in Europe. The idea is also to establish Europe as a competitive continent and to use plant genomics as a way for European nations to prosper.
"Plants for the Future" was written by the European Commission, European Plant Science Organization, European Association for Bioindustries, and the purpose of the document is to have a research plan for Europe in regards to biotechnology and GMOs. According to the document, bioengineered plants will greatly benefit Europe after altering how genetically modified crops function in Europe. The idea is also to establish Europe as a competitive continent and to use plant genomics as a way for European nations to prosper.
Economics and Trade
In the realm of economics and trade, the idea of integrating Genetically Modified Foods is severely sensitive and under debate. Some nations, including the United States, are open to reaping the benefits from genetically modifying certain foods. This could possibly alleviate world hunger, among other things.
However, introducing GMOs into the world market will harm trade in countries that cannot produce such products for consumption or export. Economies dependent on trade for national income and trading communities – such as the Council of Europe, ECOWAS (Economic Community of Western African States) and many others-- may collapse as a result of this inability (Jean-François).
However, introducing GMOs into the world market will harm trade in countries that cannot produce such products for consumption or export. Economies dependent on trade for national income and trading communities – such as the Council of Europe, ECOWAS (Economic Community of Western African States) and many others-- may collapse as a result of this inability (Jean-François).
Solving the Problem of World Hunger
World hunger rates based on different regions in the map
As one of the millennium development goals, the argument made by many who are in favor of GMOs is the possibility to alleviate world hunger through GMOs.
Future innovations range from simply making certain food products taste better by way of genetic modification (The Future of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods) to developing foods that could greatly improve general health. GMOs can be manipulated in a way that increases the percentage of specific substances in food, such as anti-oxidants, omega threes, etc. (The Future of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods). By introducing such vital food substances in larger quantity within the same fruit or vegetable for example, balanced diets could be achieved in the lives of all individuals at a lower cost.
Future innovations range from simply making certain food products taste better by way of genetic modification (The Future of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods) to developing foods that could greatly improve general health. GMOs can be manipulated in a way that increases the percentage of specific substances in food, such as anti-oxidants, omega threes, etc. (The Future of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods). By introducing such vital food substances in larger quantity within the same fruit or vegetable for example, balanced diets could be achieved in the lives of all individuals at a lower cost.
Improving health
In addition to just solving world hunger, future innovations of genetically modified foods would improve the health of humans. In a Research Agenda for 2025 provided by GMO compass, the future bioengineered plants could prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain forms of cancer ("'Plants for the Future' – Research Agenda 2025"). For diabetes, crop could be engineered to be low-glycemic so an individual's blood sugar can be controlled. Since diabetics face issues with their bodies not making enough or using insulin, which leads to high glucose levels. Therefore, the crops that are modified can be low-glycemic to reduce issues that diabetics face with their conditions.
Also, heart disease can be avoided by genetically modifying crops so that they have an increased amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids ("'Plants for the Future' -- Research Agenda 2025"). Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also referred to as omega-3 PUFA, and recent research has found that the fatty acids are beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, further research is required, and many have deemed the assertion as controversial. Foods that have Omega-3 are shown in the image to the right, and the idea for the future is that the Omega-3 is not just found in fish, lettuce, eggs, and etc. Rather, it is to increase the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in various crops so people can be healthier.
Also, heart disease can be avoided by genetically modifying crops so that they have an increased amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids ("'Plants for the Future' -- Research Agenda 2025"). Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also referred to as omega-3 PUFA, and recent research has found that the fatty acids are beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, further research is required, and many have deemed the assertion as controversial. Foods that have Omega-3 are shown in the image to the right, and the idea for the future is that the Omega-3 is not just found in fish, lettuce, eggs, and etc. Rather, it is to increase the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in various crops so people can be healthier.
Environmental Impact
GMOs, though in many ways advantageous, are also the cause of worry to ecologists. Ecologists fear that the introduction of modified organisms into the natural ecosystem, to which they are attributed, may be detrimental to the survival of other organisms within that ecosystem. An example of this are genetically modified crops containing pesticides that ward off insects, which in turn destroy surrounding crops (Hamel).
However, the 2025 Research Agenda provided by GMO Compass shows that there is a plan to support biodiversity through genetically modified organisms. According to "Plants for the Future," new crops can be grown and cultivated in order to increase agricultural diversity in Europe.
However, the 2025 Research Agenda provided by GMO Compass shows that there is a plan to support biodiversity through genetically modified organisms. According to "Plants for the Future," new crops can be grown and cultivated in order to increase agricultural diversity in Europe.
Author: Erika Yarboi
Edited by Meheret Mekonnen and Ayesha Monga Kravetz
To contact: [email protected]
Edited by Meheret Mekonnen and Ayesha Monga Kravetz
To contact: [email protected]