What are Genetically Modified (GM) Foods?

GM foods are agricultural crops that are engineered through transgenic processes in order to change the structure of their DNA. This form of modification differs from traditional, natural modification such as hybridization through breeding. Many GM crops contain genes from other plants, bacteria, animals and other life forms. Common reasons for modifying crops include making them:

-          resistant to wider ranges of climatic variations

-          lethal to insects that would potentially prey upon them

-          more stable for transportation

-          Have longer shelf lives

-          resistant to weed killers and,

-          altering or increasing their nutritional makeup

GM foods first came onto the market in the early 1990’s and have been being developed with increasing frequency thereafter.  GM organisms are developed by private biotechnology companies such as Monsanto, Aventis and Calgene.   

Genetic modification of foods is a relatively new science, and thusly has sparked much international controversy. Long term studies are still yet to be conducted over the health effects caused by human consumption, as well as concerns regarding environmental safety, species and soil degradation, labeling and consumer awareness, regulation of gene and life form patenting, ethics, food security and sustainability of global foodways. Some groups feel that these technologies are a saving grace and hold the potential for solving global hunger and malnutrition, while others feel that corporate agendas and a lack of comprehensive understanding of transgenic technologies can lead to disaster.

These controversies will be explored in this website, providing you, the reader, with data that will weigh the costs and benefits of GM foods in a comprehensive manner.

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