Food 4 Thought: Frankenfood

Food 4 Thought was a bi-weekly article written for a school paper several years ago. It was discontinued after moving to a new state.


FRANKENFOOD


Since the image of Frankenstein, the power to alter the fundamentals of physical existence has appealed to many. With modern technology, the Frankstein question becomes: is it ethical to modify human DNA, to change it or use it for our own purposes? Thus far the answer has largely been no.

But where is the line? Just as controversial but much less talked about is the auxiliary question: Is it ethical then for human and animal DNA to be spliced into plants meant for human food? Genetic Engineering (GE) is a revolutionary technology that has the power to break down genetic walls. Genes from plants, animals, and even humans are randomly inserted into the chromosomes of plants, fish, and animals, much of which intended for supermarket shelves.

By genetically modifying plants, they can grow larger, become pest-resistant, and produce larger yields. Yet according to many inside the scientific community and out, the whole business surrounding GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and their distribution is sketchy at best. 

While scientists originally assumed that the inserted genes would only add a particular desired trait to the crop, new evidence suggests that the host's normal natural genes can get switched off, turned on permanently, damaged, or altered in the process. 

GMOs have already proven to be capable of harm. In 1989 a GE brand of an essential amino acid being sold as a dietary supplement killed 37 people in the US and permanently disabled thousands with a potentially fatal and painful blood disorder. 

Monsanto, arguably the foremost agricultural bioengineering giant produced a potato that absorbed less fat during frying. This led to the development of lower-fat french fries and chips. 

In 1999, British scientist Dr. Arpad Pusztal shocked the public when he brought forth findings from his research on Monsanto GE potatoes. These findings were based on research much more rigorous than required by the virtually non-existent regulations. The potatoes had been spliced with, among other things, Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMv), a viral promoter. Dr. Pusztal's findings indicated CaMv capable of damaging the stomach lining in mammals. Fun fact: CaMv is spliced into virtually all GE crops.

Unfortunately the research remains unfinished; government funding was cut off from the project and Dr. Pusztal fired after releasing his findings to the media.

Wandering the grocery store aisles I began wondering how to identify GMOs from other produce. Engineered products are not labeled as such. This is especially shocking because of the allergy concern; scientists can't tell before testing whether a protein sequence will trigger a food allergy. But since pro-biotech governments and regulatory agencies maintain that GE foods and crops are "substantially equivalent" to conventional foods, neither mandatory labeling nor pre-market safety-testing is required.

Still, an allergy disaster was narrowly averted in 1996. Soybeans spliced with Brazil nuts had tested negative for allergies in animal tests. Despite this, the soybeans, an ingredient ubiquitous in the food market, did cause allergies in humans. Thankfully, scientists in Nebraska discovered the potential threat.

Unfortunately the genetic engineering of produce may well prove necessary and crucial in the coming era of global over-population. With the United Nations estimating a population of 8.2 billion by the year 2025, the need for more efficient food production is fast becoming a bridge we can't avoid crossing.

Without use regulations, health study standards, or required labeling, this potentially and arguably necessary technique of genetic modification is too easily abused. If action isn't taken to put standards in place, perhaps soon our Frankenstein food experiments will prove to be as dangerous as any mad science.