First and foremost, I realize this is a highly politicized and controversial topic, if people could keep the vitriol to a minimum that would be fantastic.
I'm doing a research project on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for one of my finals, and I'm curious to see what MMO-C members know about them and what their opinion is. I'm trying to take a balanced approach to my research, examining both sides of the argument and weeding out the conspiracy theorists and those that are in the pocket of agribiz (unfortunately those 2 groups combine for the majority of the internet's readily available info).
For those that don't know, since 1996 a massive agriculture company called Monsanto has sold genetically engineered seeds which are equipped with artificially inserted gene data that allows the crops to produce a toxin Bacillus thuringiensis to kill insect pests. Other strains have also been developed which protect the plant from herbicides (called "RoundupReady"), these allow for broad spectrum herbicide usage to destroy weeds while not harming crops.
For the first decade+ of their use, it appears the crops have been an economic benefit to farmers and consumers alike, but there are valid criticisms of the technology. Adaptation among bug populations to the Bt toxin has recently occurred in many regions, forcing farmers to spray additional insecticide to supplement the seeds which are supposed to deal with the pests independently. Due to the already high price of the seeds, in addition to the cost of extra insecticide, there have been major issues of debt and suicide among farmers, especially in India, and a subsequent ban on the GMO technology in the Maharashtra region. This is not an isolated incident but I am using it as a case study.
http://ens-newswire.com/2012/08/09/m...-seed-license/
The business practices of Monsanto are one of the driving forces behind the anti-GMO movement. Some argue that they are an unjust monopoly with their aggressive patent protection, and clear dominance of the biotech seed market. Monsanto does not allow farmers to use heirloom seeds which contain their technology, and sue successfully anytime they find farmers doing so. They have also absorbed many conventional seed companies, making it difficult for some farmers to acquire seeds that are not genetically modified.
In the U.S., 73% of corn, 80% of cotton, and 93% of soybeans have been converted to GMO variety crops (source: USDA). If you're eating something in America that you didn't grow yourself or buy from a local that you know, it probably has GMOs in it. If it's heavily processed, 100% it has GMOs in it.
Many argue that this technology is the only way to effectively feed the growing population of 7+ billion. Others think that an ecological crisis stemming from the side-effects of the crops is imminent, and in some cases already in progress. The technology has already been banned, or food containing it is labelled by law in over 50 countries. In California, a ballot measure to require labeling of GMOs was defeated on Nov. 6 after a major influx of money from Monsanto ($8.1 mil) and other major food companies (Coke, Pepsi, Kraft, among others).
Thanks for reading, any correction of my information via peer reviewed source is welcome as well. With a topic like this, I'm finding it can be difficult to know what is propaganda and what is fact.
TL;DR - If you know what GMOs are and some of the issues surrounding them, what is your opinion of them?