GMO Research Paper Logan Ceraul

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GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 1 Genetically Modified Organisms: Their Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance Logan J. Ceraul Department of Culinary Science, Culinary Institute of America MTSC-115-CSWFP: Science Fundamentals Professor Marisa Monaghan October 25, 2023

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 2 Genetically Modified Organisms: Their Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have existed in some form for close to 30 years. They are commonly used in agricultural practices to increase yields, improve efficiency, and expand access of food sources to people. Modern technology allows the movement of genes between organisms that cannot produce offspring under natural circumstances, thus creating unnatural and desirable traits. These organisms exist as a result of DNA manipulation and differ greatly from selective breeding. GMOs are inherently controversial, sparking debates from the ethics of health testing, allergenicity, and even environmental impacts. This paper aims to give a brief introduction and history of GMOs, state arguments for and against their widespread adoption, and finally form an opinion on how they should be served to the wider public in a restaurant setting. What is a GMO, and how did we get here? Gerald Nelson’s 2001 book, Genetically modified organisms in agriculture, economics and politics , explains that the limit caused by natural processes of selective breeding led for a more expansive search for the modification of plants to produce new desirable traits (p. 7). Scientists found that they can manipulate an organism’s DNA to benefit their yield and growth conditions; this process creates an Organism that is Genetically Modified, hence the term ‘Genetically Modified Organism.’ The World Health Organization [WHO] defines a GMO as “Organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination” (WHO, 2014). GMOs are used across multiple industries that deal with raw materials, like the textile industry, but are most prevalent in food-related agriculture production. Genetically Modified [GM] Corn and GM Soybeans were the two most popular bioengineered crops used in the early 2000s but expanded into 11 crops being genetically modified and sold in the United States (Nelson, 2000, p. 7; U.S. Food and Drug Administration [U.S. FDA], 2022). Building off the success of their Chinese counterparts, U.S.-based

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 3 companies like Monsanto, Novartis, and Avantis were considered trailblazers in the original expansion of GM crops domestically. Launching some of the original genetically modified crops, like Bt Corn and Round-Up Ready® Soybean plants into the U.S. market, these products continue to be major presences in the agriculture business (Nelson, 2000, pp. 9-13). They did so by incorporating DNA from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis to corn with the intent to kill any burrowing or boring organisms into the corn plants, rendering them resistant to the European corn borer (Nelson, 2000, p.9) Similarly, the modification of the “EPSP synthase” enzyme in the Round-Up Ready® Soybeans allows the plant to not be affected by glyphosate, as described by Nelson (2000, p. 13). Today, the technology has expanded to combine multiple aspects of various organisms outside the ‘flora’ realm; for example, scientists are able to take segments of genes from fish that are able to survive in cold waters and apply it to crops so that they can weather frost and other cold weather easier (Whitman, 2000). This, alongside the ethics surrounding testing and lack of regulation in the food industry surrounding GMOs in the U.S., has sparked many debates surrounding the ethics of GM crops. Despite these drawbacks, their widespread use shows a potential to provide for the greater good, and their popularity is undeniably moving them to even more adoption. Why should GMOs be widely adopted? The 2008 World Development Report predicted that the world’s food production would increase sharply in the next 30 years to account for the growing population, specifically in underdeveloped countries of Africa and Asia (World Bank, 2007, p. 8; Goujon, 2023). One way that is thought to help meet this need is to make the crops grown currently more productive—genetically modify their yields to be as efficient and nourishing as possible. Various studies have proven both the safety of GMOs and the efficacy of adding more nutrients to the products created with them (G-C., Yen, et al. 2011; Chen, X. et al., 2016). This bodes well for providing additional food for a growing disenfranchised population in areas

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GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 4 like sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, and South America relying on staple foods. In the same 2008 report, indications of an increase in food cost globally puts the already 800 million food insecure people across the world in a position to afford less and less food as prices climb (World Bank, 2007, p.8). GM crops allow for a partial remedy of this crisis. Simple supply and demand economics state that an increase in the supply of a commodity leads to a decrease in price for those demanding it. Applying this to the perspective of GMOs and GM crops, an increase in the yield of a crop leads to more of the crop being available, which decreases prices overall. Similarly, increasing the nutritional content of the staple foods allows the body to grow stronger and healthier while requiring less food to do so. Genetically modifying foods to fit healthier nutrition standards allows the poor to afford higher quality foods and allocate their monetary resources to other expenses, like education and living improvements (Whitman, 2000; World Bank, 2007, p.8). Finally, bioengineered crops can have positive environmental impacts. They use less space to produce the same yield as non-engineered crops, allowing for precious resources to be saved in their production, like water use, pesticides, and fertilizers (Nelson, 2000, p.7). This property allows less land to be allocated for crop production, additionally aiding in less deforestation in the future. The potential positive aspects of GMOs are prodigious, and the possibilities of what they can do for the world’s population by providing more nutritious food at a lower price with less resources is an enormous incentive for adoption. However, there are some aspects of bioengineered foods that raise concerns if they were to be adopted widely. What are the hesitancies around the use of GM foods? Although there are some unquestionable positive aspects for GMOs being adopted, the potential side effects, ethical debates, and implementation of regulations are cause to pause and consider before giving them the green light.

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 5 One of the biggest concerns is allergenicity, or a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Very few people have allergies to the crops that are currently genetically modified. As a result, they have become “safe” foods for those with allergies. In Deborah Whitman’s 2000 paper, Genetically modified foods: Harmful or helpful? , she states that there is a possibility that “introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.” This means that, theoretically, foods that are modified to contain the DNA of common allergens could cause unintended, and more importantly unanticipated, allergic reactions. However, B. Yavari (et al.) proposes a simple solution: Do not use foods that are common allergens when creating GM crops or foods containing GMOs (2016). This straightforward approach allows for the complete bypass of the problem nearly in its entirety and has a strong logical foundation. Monsanto’s goal in developing Round-Up Ready® Soybeans was to be resistant to glyphosate, an herbicide that kills weeds and other organisms. This genetic modification allowed farmers the ability to efficiently kill all competing organisms in their fields that were hindering the growth of their desired crops and leave their plants healthy (Nelson, 2000, p. 13). Glyphosate has been used since the mid- 1990s and is still in use today. Not only has glyphosate been proven to have long-term carcinogenic side effects to people who work with it, a not-insignificant group of people are simply not comfortable eating foods that have been treated with such chemicals, even if it is not likely to have any harm to the direct consumer (Wallace, Lingenfelter, 2023). There are concerns that the herbicides used in agricultural production will result in stronger weeds surviving and becoming resistant to glyphosate and other herbicides, requiring other, stronger herbicides to be used in agriculture production. This spiral, creating ever stronger extremes of both weeds and chemicals used to control them, poses significant risks to not only consumers, but to the farmers and the land that they grow on. The implementation of bioengineered crops resistant to certain chemicals should be done responsibly to ensure that this does not happen.

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 6 Further, some vegan and vegetarian groups are strongly opposed to bioengineered crops. Not only are GMOs regularly tested on animals, some temperature-resistant crops contain the DNA of animals. For some, this is an issue while other individuals do not share the same viewpoint (Ventura, 2021). They do share common ground on the goal of eliminating animal testing, which is the scientific standard for most tests regarding the safety of food consumption in mammals (G-C., Yen, et al. 2011; Chen, X. et al., 2016). This often-overlooked aspect of GMOs has potential to upset an extremely vocal group of people if transparency is not met in labeling. Finally, the current U.S. laws surrounding labeling foods containing bioengineered ingredients are nearly completely ineffective. As one analysis conducted by Becky Upham concluded, “not every food that contains ingredients from a genetically modified crop is required to have a bioengineered food disclosure label” (2022). The USDA, the U.S. Agency responsible for regulating how food is labeled and marketed, provides ways for companies to get around including the required ‘bioengineered’ label. This is done by allowing the removal of the disclosure by exempting ingredients that are highly refined, or contain non-GM meat as the first primary ingredient, among other exemptions (USDA AMS, 2018). This lack of transparency allows consumers to doubt the quality of the food that they consume and lose trust in the food that they eat. This also relates to the allergenicity debate, where an allergen created by a GMO could hypothetically be in a non-labeled product and cause reactions in unsuspecting consumers. Overall, GMOs have many setbacks related to their current implementation. Everything from a lack of transparency in the industry, ethical debates of the safety testing, and possible human health effects all contribute to strong opposition to the consumption of GMOs, their use in restaurants, and in the general public’s trust.

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GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 7 Opinion on Serving and Consuming GMOs Bioengineered foods allow for an improvement of a “wide range of food characteristics,” which is not limited to just increased yields, but potentially to increased nutrition content, heartier plants, and less of an environmental impact for agriculture (Ghisleri et al., 2009). The use of GMOs should be for the ‘greater good’ of society, not the lobbyists of Monsanto and other corporate entities. There is great potential for GM crops to be introduced to poor countries with less-than-ideal conditions for growing food; this can potentially help these countries focus on living rather than surviving. Additionally, GM foods with greater nutrition content could help fight malnutrition in both developing and developed countries. Focusing on the U.S., there are currently no regulations or guidelines on how restaurants should notify customers in regard for their use of GMO foods in their dishes, or even that customers must be notified in the first place. This approach leaves consumers in the dark, unsure if what they are eating is being held to their own standard of quality. Requiring the disclosure of GMO ingredients empowers the consumer to be informed about what they eat. This approach satisfies the needs of the consumer, as well as protecting the restaurant from possible legal action. Additionally, suppliers should clearly indicate what products are bioengineered. One of the possible methods of implementation for this could be an amendment to the Truth in Menu law, set by the FDA, requiring a consumer advisory that the kitchen uses GM ingredients. Additionally, the labeling regulations for pre-prepared foods need to be simplified: If a product contains any ingredient that can be traced to a GM plant, it must be marked as so on the ingredients label. It leaves no grey area; no possible misunderstanding by the consumer. This further would allow consumers to make informed choices about what they eat. Anyone serving food should feel confident in knowing what is going into their food, where it came from, and how it was grown. Greater transparency within the whole food industry regarding GMOs

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 8 will likely solve a multitude of the current debates and will allow consumers to make informed decisions about what they eat. GMOs have been proven to be safe but have a hill to climb before the public at large will begin to accept them.

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 9 References Chen, X., Yang, Y., Shi, Z., Gao, M.-Q., & Zhang, Y. (2016). Effects of Genetically Modified Milk Containing Human Beta-Defensin-3 on Gastrointestinal Health of Mice. PLoS ONE , 11 (7), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159700 . Ghisleri, L. R., Anadón, A., Recuerda, M. Á., Peralta, P. D., Botija, F. G., Cañellas, A. M., Candeira, A. L., García, E. A., & Martínez-Larrañaga, M. R. (2009). Risk Analysis and GM Foods: Scientific Risk Assessment. European Food & Feed Law Review , 4(4), 235– 250. https://search-ebscohost-com.ciachef.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=fsr& AN=44505762&site=ehost-live . G-C Yen, H-T Lin, Y-H Cheng, Y-J Lin, S-C Chan, S-D Yih, Y-C Chan, Y-C Chung, & J-W Liao. (2011). Food Safety Evaluation of Papaya Fruits Resistant to Papaya Ring Spot Virus. Journal of Food & Drug Analysis , 19(3), 269–280. Goujon, A. (2023). Predicting an aging and changing world. American Scientist , 111(4), 200- 203. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/predicting-aging-changing-world/ docview/2840654228/se-2 . Nelson, G. C. (2001). Genetically modified organisms in agriculture: economics and politics. Academic Press .

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GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 10 The United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] Agriculture Marketing Service [AMS]. (2018, December 21). National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. Federal Register https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-12-21/pdf/2018-27283.pdf The US Food and Drug Administration [U.S. FDA]. (2022, August 03). GMO crops, animal food, and beyond . U.S. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo- crops-animal-food-and-beyond. The World Health Organization (WHO). (2014, May 1). Food, genetically modified. WHO https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/food-genetically-modified Upham, B. (2022, January 7). 6 things you need to know about the new GMO food label. Everyday Health. https://rb.gy/twaqo . Ventura, Luis. (2021). Pro-GMO vegans use animal rights to boost vaccine, biotech acceptance. Genetic Literacy Project. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/02/16/promoting- science-with-ideology-pro-gmo-vegans-use-animal-rights-advocacy-to-boost-vaccine- biotech-acceptance/#:~:text=Vegans%20sometimes%20oppose%20biotechnology% 20because%20a%20particular%20application,sentient%2C%20living%20beings%E2%8

GMO Use, Efficacy, and Acceptance 11 0%94an%20outlook%20many%20vegans%20find%20abhorrent. Wallace, J., Lingenfelter, D. (2023) Glyphosate (RoundUp®): understanding the risks to human Health. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/glyphosate-roundup- understanding-risks-to-human-health. Whitman, D. (2000). Genetically modified foods: harmful or helpful? Cambridge Scientific Abstracts. https://artsci.u cla.edu/biotech177/reading/GMO_Harm_or_Help.pdf World Bank. (2007). World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development. The World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/ba969388-b5eb-5155- b8f2-6d323a6e5a52. Yavari, B., Sarami, S., Shahgaldi, S., Athari, S. S., & Sharma, A. (2016). If There Is Really a Notable Concern about Allergenicity of Genetically Modified Foods? Journal of Food Quality & Hazards Control , 3 (1), 3–9. https://search-ebscohost-com.ciachef.idm.oclc.org/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=fsr&AN=115406365&site=ehost-live .

GMO Research Paper Logan Ceraul

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