Dangers of Genetically Engineered Crops: Pesticide Use Still Prevalent
December 9th, 2009 Posted in Organic & Chemical Pesticides
Genetically engineered crops have become incredibly important to the agricultural life of the United States. Of all of the nations that use genetically engineered crops, the U.S. by far corners the market. Over 70% of the genetically engineered crops grown worldwide are grown in the U.S. While there are advantages to growing “G.E.” crops, there are also some negatives.
But first, what exactly are G.E. crops?
What are G.E. crops?
G.E. crops come from seeds that are genetically modified in a lab to enhance certain qualities. Seeds are usually modified to be more resistent to pesticides and to have more nutritional benefits, like heightened Vitamin C.
These crops are altered by isolating a certain gene from one plant and placing it in another plant. For example, if one plant is really good at resisting insects, scientists can isolate the gene responsible and place it in a plant that has trouble warding off insects.
The advantages
When crops are genetically modified, they become much easier to grow in mass quantities, which is important because of the population boom. G.E. food is generally:
- more resistent to pests
- tolerant of herbicides
- more resistent to diseases
- tolerant of droughts
- more nutrient rich
Soybeans, corn, potatoes, and cotton are all genetically modified in the U.S. to be able to handle herbicides so that they can survive harsh weather and grow larger and better than normal.
The Disadvantages
Because these G.E. crops are able to handle herbicides, herbicide use in the U.S. has increased by 383 million pounds since 1996. G.E. food tends to have more pesticide residue on it than traditionally grown food for this reason. There are health risks involved with pesticide residue because there is evidence to suggest that genetically modified DNA can stay in a person’s system in relatively high levels.
This means that pesticide use has increased dramatically, as has the abundance of herbicide-resistant weeds. These weeds have modified as they have gotten used to the most popular herbicides. Now, scientists have to re-engineer plants to be resistent to new herbicides.
G.E. crops are therefore much more expensive than traditional crops. It costs $124 per acre for seeds, on average, because of the work that goes into genetically modifying seeds.
Plus, there is also no conclusive evidence that G.E. seeds yield more crops than traditional seeds. But there is evidence to show that the chemical footprint has increased because of G.E. plants. While the industry responsible for G.E. plants says that they actually reduce chemical use because insecticides aren’t necessary, the dramatic increase in herbicide use disproves their theory.
While G.E. plants might seem like a solution to a growing global population who needs to be fed, their disadvantages might outweigh their possible benefits.
