Genetically Modified Foods - Is it the Answer to World Hunger?

Therese Natalia Elefano Santos

Hunger. A simple feeling to understand. A difficult problem to solve. 

Hunger remains one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. The world produces enough food to feed all of its 8 billion people, yet 733 million people go hungry every day, that is almost 1 in 11! Among the solutions proposed, came the use of Genetically Modified Foods or GMFs. Supporters say they improve nutrition and could help world hunger. While critics argue that they are dangerous and a morally wrong thing to do. So what are GMFs, and how have they gained sudden popularity despite the controversy surrounding its creation?

What are Genetically Modified Organisms?

A Genetically Modified Organism, or GMO is any organism whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering, to provide a beneficial trait. Genetically Modified Foods are foods produced from GMOs. 

This concept took inspiration from the practice of breeding select individuals of a species to produce offspring that have desirable traits. However, in the case of GMOs, the DNA (the backbone of our genetic material) is altered on a molecular level, rather than cross-breeding species to get the desired traits the “natural” way. For example, scientists can engineer pest and weather resistant crops to help local farmers survive environmental challenges that could otherwise wipe out entire harvests.

The said “benefits” of GMOs

GMFs have been the fastest adopted technology in agriculture, with 25 years of commercial production.

The most widely grown GMFs worldwide include cotton, soybeans, maize, and canola, often engineered for herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. In general, it is said that genetically altered organisms, especially in foods, eradicates the non-desired traits which can hinder the quality of the food. Here are the said advantages of the usage of GMFs.

• It is a more precise method compared to conventional breeding. Conventional breeding is the process of selecting two “model” organisms with desired traits using traditional methods like hybridization and selection. While this has proven to be effective, there is still a chance that all the desired traits would not be present in the offspring. Genetically modifying the organisms on a molecular level ensures that the offspring yields all the desired qualities.

• It helps yield better resistance against pests, viruses, and environmental conditions. Genetically modifying organisms allows scientists to control the DNA of the species itself. This gives further control over which qualities of the organism to change. Most of the changes made have to do with increasing plant resistance against viruses, pests, and harsh environmental conditions. This not only helps the farmers, but also reduces the amount of pesticides used on the plants.

• It (is said to) enhance the nutritional value and flavour of the foods. Food crops can be modified genetically to increase their nutritional value. This can be beneficial to health, and increase food security around the world, solving major issues relating to malnutrition. These have been useful in combating nutritional deficiencies: Golden Rice, for example, developed in 2004, satisfies 50% of your daily Vitamin A needs per cup.

“If nature doesn't make it, don't take it!”

Despite the benefits, GMFs continue to be banned in most of the European Union. If several European countries consistently rank among the top ten most developed nations globally based on metrics such as the Human Development Index, why do they prohibit the widespread use of GMOs? The controversy surrounding GMFs involves concerns about environmental impacts, and ethical issues. For example, the possibility of creating new allergens or toxins, the potential for the rise of antimicrobial resistance in weeds and pests, and the risk of gene escape into wild populations outside the control of scientists. Here are the said disadvantages of the usage of GMFs.

• Unexpected or harmful genetic changes. Though no studies identified that direct consumption of a GMF was associated with an increased rate of clinical allergy, there is still a concern that these modified genes could cause a more severe allergic reaction when eaten. For instance, a modified strain of soy could have unintentionally increased allergen levels rather than reducing them.

• The rise of unwanted antimicrobial resistance. There is a chance that the crops modified to resist herbicides (a chemical used to kill weeds) could cross breed with weeds in the wild. This would result in highly resistant “superweeds”, impacting desirable plants in factors such as stunted growth, reduced yield, and increased susceptibility to disease. This goes for any disease or pest: if they cross breed with any organism modified with high resistance, this would be detrimental. 

• The release of “laboratory organisms” into the wild. We do not know how these modified organisms will interact with the ecosystem. There is a worldwide growing concern that GMOs may endanger the pollinator population, as the chemicals used in GMO production are harmful to bees. GMOs could also potentially outcompete native species, due to their superior qualities which can result in a reduction in biodiversity. Our best hope would be that nature adapts in a positive way.

Where is the future going with this?

If GMFs were the golden key for hunger, global hunger would’ve been an issue of the past. The root of hunger lies not only in food production, but in issues of inequality, distribution, and access. While proving to be a useful tool in increasing the efficiency of global food production, it raises the question of ethics. Are we playing God with altering genetics of nature to suit human needs? They say Mother Nature knows best, who are we to challenge that? We have proven that we have the power to change the course of nature, but should we? The answer may depend not only on science but on the values we choose to prioritise as a society.