Pure Natural Products May Get Some Governmental Protection

Genetically modified organisms have been in laboratories for decades and on the shelves of supermarkets since the mid-nineties. On paper, the concept seems wise, even admirable: tinkering with the genetic code of crops to make them more resilient to draught, quicker to grow, or simply larger to feed more people. Nations all over the world are struggling to feed their citizens, and to some, these genetically modified foods seem like the perfect solution. Environmental and medical concerns, though, abound—particularly those that question the long-term effects these crops will have on the human body and biodiversity. Because GMOs are so new, there’s insufficient research to show that pure natural products are safe against them. That’s frightened environmentalists and nutritionists for a long time, which is why a Congressman in Ohio has finally introduced protective legislation.

 

You don’t need studies to understand that introducing a stronger crop could easily contaminate a “weaker,” more natural line of corn or soybeans. It’s the basic logic of survival of the fittest. When Darwin noted that trend, though, he expected it would only reward organisms that had naturally improved, through mutation, not through genetic tinkering. Scientists splicing genes might do good things for crops in barren areas, but from a wider ecological perspective, it could devastate biodiversity. Crops and plants found in nature may go extinct, which would prevent many pure natural products from entering the marketplace. To prevent this from occurring, Representative Dennis Kucinich hopes to ban open-air cultivation of GMOs. No bill has passed yet, but this constraint would keep pure natural protects safe, at least until studies can determine the consequences of genetic modification.

Posted on Jan 10, 2012


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