Caleb Hillberry
3/17/2011
Genetically Modified Pollution
Genetically modified crops have been a controversial topic in the United States. Many of you can relate to why there is disagreement about genetically modified crops. The lack of genetic diversity has always been a fear for the large scale death of genetically modified crops. The other fear is of possible side effects of ingesting genetically modified crops. One issue you probably did not consider is pollution caused by genetically modified crops. This is not the possible pollution from chemicals used on crops by farmers, but actual chemicals being washed off crop biomass.
The process of genetically modifying a crop involves inserting a gene into the crop. This gene can help the crops withstand harmful herbicides or repel insects (Insecticides). Scientists have found concentrations of the insecticide gene in nearby waterways. They have been unable to determine the exact threat to human health or the environment yet. Two years ago, more than 85% of the United States corn crops were genetically modified. Considering all the other possible genetically modified crops other than corn, there are vast potential sources for pollution. A study in 217 Indiana streams reported that approximately 86% of the streams contained corn debris of some type (leaves, cobs, stalks). They also found that 28 sites in those 217 streams contain detectable concentrations of insecticides used in genetically modified corn. Even though no research has been devoted to the possibility of these insecticides polluting groundwater and wells, there needs to be concern for these possible situations.
Once these crops are harvested the remaining biomass is typically left on the field. This follows no-till agriculture and aims to prevent soil erosion. This practice is allowing even more time for crop byproducts to enter the environment. The simplest solution would seem to be to use non-genetically modified crops. I doubt that many farmers would take the chance of using conventional crops. They offer fewer yields and require more management then genetically modified crops do. We as a country need to start taking precautions and start monitoring genetically modified crops more. There also needs to be stricter testing on all genetically modified crops.
The United States currently has a policy of allowing products to be manufactured until they are found to be harmful. The European Union (EU) has a policy of not allowing a product to be released unless it is proven to be harmless. The EU has also follows a standard of not implementing genetically modified crops/foods. The adoption of similar policies from the EU by the United States would help prevent future tragedy from happening. We cannot allow ourselves to essentially use our environment as a testing stage. This calamity will hopefully influence more rugged regulation of genetically modified crops. There also needs to be an expansion on the types of test performed on genetically modified crops to look at any possible way they can negatively affect our environment. Whether you are pro genetically modified or con, we can all agree that pollution of any type is an unacceptable hazard to have. As the agricultural industry keeps on evolving, the standards and regulations in place need to evolve to ensure the safety of the environment.
Reference: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/gm-maize-has-polluted-rivers-across-the-united-states-2091300.html
4 comments:
Could genetically modified crops also be taking over this country? I have heard that one farmer will try to go green with his fields and not use GMOs but across the street farmer Joe will. They have found out that the pollen from these GM crops will transfer to the other field and the good farmer will no longer have his green feed that he initially had. Then the big GMO companies come and sue him because he did not seek permission to use their seed from the get go when he never wanted to use it in the first place. So what effect does this have on our country. Is the GMO going to eventually take over the farm fields of the U.S.?
This is an interesting topic, and certainly the first time I've heard of this pollution problem with the genes floating about. What damage are the insecticide genes having on the environment? Maybe I'm not understanding what actually makes them a pollutant...It's just a gene, right? What impacts does this have?
@Billy - GMO's are already taking over :(
"They have been unable to determine the exact threat to human health or the environment yet" There's a comforting thought. Here eat this, but you might have long lasting health effects. Oh and also it may have the ability to irreversibly damage the environment. But don't worry it tastes really good!
I think the US should impliment a similar policy that Europe has. To not use a product until it has been proven harmless to man and environment. We've managed to get by for thousands of years without GM crops. I understand that populations have increased, but do we really want to possibly poison our furture generation and their environment? I vote no.
I agree. Precautionary Principle all the way! It just seems silly to do it the other way around.
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