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The Rising Issue of the Effects of Genetically Engineered Foods Recently, genetically engineered (GE) foods have become an ever-rising political, environmental and health issue. Ever since they first started being commercially sold in 1994, controversies about the lack of research on the environment and the body have raised concerns by many scientific and educational institutions. Due to the lack of research involving genetically engineered foods and seeds, the health and environmental effects are an increasing global concern. In the last five years, new groundbreaking research has been published about the longterm effects of genetically engineered food. A 2009 study that consisted of rats that were fed a strict diet of genetically engineered corn named NK 603, MON 810 and MON 863 over a 90 day period showed there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM maize varieties for just 90 days.
It is not possible to make comments concerning any general, similar subchronic toxic effect for all GM foods. However, in the three GM maize varieties that formed the basis of this investigation, new side effects linked to the consumption of these cereals were revealed, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly concentrated in kidney and liver function, the two major diet detoxification organs, but in detail differed with each GM type. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted. As there normally exists sex differences in liver and kidney metabolism, the highly statistically significant disturbances in the function of these organs, seen between male and female rats, cannot be dismissed as biologically insignificant (Vendmois 12).

A general consensus cannot be made about all genetically engineered seeds and foods, as there are many varieties designed for different purposes. Most that are developed are used to try and reduce the use of pesticides. This, however, has not impacted the environment as what was first intended. A sixteen year study by Charles Benbrook has shown that, Herbicide-resistant crop technology has led to a 239 million kilogram (527 million pound) increase in herbicide use in the United States between 1996 and 2011, while Bt crops have reduced insecticide applications by

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56 million kilograms (123 million pounds). Overall, pesticide use increased by an estimated 183 million kgs (404 million pounds), or about 7% (Benbrook 8). Genetically engineered seeds have also been developed to increase yield in corn, soybeans, and cotton. This however, has become a failed project as well. A twenty year study for the Union of Concerned Scientists by Doug Gurian-Sherman has shown that the higher yield today is being obtained primarily by the newer technology in the agricultural field.
While crop GE has been hailed by some as critically important for ensuring adequate food supply in the future, it has so far produced only small increases in yields in the United States. Our review of available data on transgenic Btcorn, as well as on transgenic HT corn and soybeans, arrives at an estimated total yield benefit of about 3 4 percent for corn But the 4 percent yield enhancement contributed by Bt varieties constitutes only about 14 percent of this overall corn yield increase, with 86 percent coming from other technolog ies or methods (Gurian-Sherman 33).

The major supplier of genetically engineered seeds, Monsanto, claims that these reports are false and flawed, even though there have been many non-biased and thorough studies. Monsanto claims on their website that, The introduction of GM traits through biotechnology has led to increased yields independent of breeding. Take for example statistics cited by PG Economics, which annually tallies the benefits of GM crops, taking data from numerous studies around the world. The problem with this, however, is that PG Economics is directly sponsored by Monsanto. PG Economics also has strong ties with other biotech companies.
From 2009 to 2011, Monsanto sponsored annual reports on the global economic and environmental impacts of genetically engineered crop varieties published by PG Economics, a for-profit U.K.-based consulting group. The PG Economics authors Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot have significant ties to the biotech industry, which calls into question the impartiality of their analysis Food & Water Europe finds that PG Economicss 2011 Monsanto funded report overstates the economic benefits to farmers and consumers, under-states the environmental footprint of GM crops, and contradicts a body of evidence pointing to hidden ecological, social and economic cost (Hauter 1, 9).

Monsanto also has a huge presence in lobbying politicians and corporations. Just in March of this year, a section was snuck into House Resolution 933, Consolidated and Further Continuing

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Appropriations Act, 2013. Nicknamed The Monsanto Protection Act, Section 735 grants that Monsanto and other biotech companys immunity from USDA testing and revoked the rights of federal courts to halt the testing or sales of such seeds or plants. Section 735 reads as follows:
In the event that a determination of non-regulated status made pursuant to section 411 of the Plant Protection Act is or has been invalidated or vacated, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request by a farmer, grower, farm operator, or producer, immediately grant temporary permit(s) or temporary deregulation in part, subject to necessary and appropriate conditions consistent with section 411(a) or 412(c) of the Plant Protection Act, which interim conditions shall authorize the movement, introduction, continued cultivation, commercialization and other specifically enumerated activities and requirements, including measures designed to mitigate or minimize potential adverse environmental effects, if any, relevant to the Secretarys evaluation of the petition for non-regulated status, while ensuring that growers or other users are able to move, plant, cultivate, introduce into commerce and carry out other authorized activities in a timely manner: Provided, That all such conditions shall be applicable only for the interim period necessary for the Secretary to complete any required analyses or consultations related to the petition for non-regulated status: Provided further, that nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Secretarys authority under section 411, 412 and 414 of the Plant Protection Act.

This section was drafted in conjunction with Monsanto by Missouris republican Senator Roy Blunt. The Center for Responsive Politics also reports that Monsanto was one of Blunts highest contributors to his 2011 Senate campaign.

No matter what position you feel about genetically engineered foods, the results all point to one thing; more testing needs to be done about the long term effects on our environment and health. Monsanto has increasingly stepped their foot into American politics and it and former employees in the political system are uncalled for. The independent studies show conclusively that such foods and seeds are in fact damaging our health and environment. Our society as a whole needs to become aware of the current food supply situations and determine for themselves what is right for them.

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Works Cited

Benbrook, Charles. "Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use in the U.S. -- the First Sixteen Years." Environmental Sciences Europe 24.8 (2012): n. pag. "Do GM Crops Increase Yield?" Monsanto. Monsanto, 26 Nov. 2012. Web. 2 June 2013. <http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/do-gm-crops-increase-yield.aspx>. Gurian-Sherman, Doug. "Failure to Yield: Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops." Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, Apr. 2009. Web. 2 June 2013. <http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/failure-to-yield.pdf>. Hauter, Wenonah. "Cooking the Books: A Methodological Critique of PG Economicss 2011 Global Report on GM Crops." Food & Water Watch Europe. Food & Water Watch, Feb. 2012. Web. 2 June 2013. <http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/briefs/cooking-thebooks/>. "Top 20 Contributors: Senator Roy Blunt 2007 - 2012." Open Secrets. Center for Responsive Politics, 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 2 June 2013. <http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?type=I&cid=N00005195&newMem =N&recs=20&cycle=2012>. Vendmois, Jol Spiroux De, et al. "A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health." International Journal of Biological Sciences 5.7 (2009): 706-26.