Genetic Engineering Overview

Genetic engineering (GE), genetic modification (GM) and gene splicing all refer to the process of manipulating genes. Genetic engineering isolates, manipulates (changes/alters the natural gene), and re-introduces the gene into cells or model organisms. A product derived in whole or part from a genetically modified organism (GMO) is a genetically modified food (GM food).

Per the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, “Biotechnology means any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.” (Article 2, Use of Terms)

There are four sub-fields of biotechnology:

• Red Biotechnology – Biotechnology applied to the medical processes.

• White Biotechnology- Biotechnology applied to industrial processes.

• Green Biotechnology – Biotechnology applied to agricultural processes.

• Bioinformatics – An interdisciplinary field addressing biological problems with computational techniques.

Genetic engineering is a relatively recent field in biotechnology. It allows the modification of plants, animals, and humans on a molecular level.

In 2000, the United States produced 68 percent of transgenic crops, while Argentina produced 23 percent and Canada 7 percent.

St. Louis-based biotechnology-agriculture-chemical giant Monsanto is one of the largest commercial producers of genetically modified seeds, as well as DOW, Bayer AG/Aventis/Aventis Crop Systems, Syngenta and DuPont.

Labeling of Genetically Modified Food

The governments of Japan and the European Union require labeling of genetically modified food identifying it as such and allowing traceability to the source.

Since 2002, China has required labeling of genetically modified food. The United States and Canada require no labeling of genetically modified food. Today, GM food makes its way into a wide variety of consumer products, especially animal feed.

In fact, genetically modified food has been widely available since the 90s, predominantly in the form of genetically modified corn (maize), soybean, and canola. It is sweet yellow corn – not white corn – which is genetically modified in the U.S. Much of the canola oil on the market is derived from genetically engineered plants.

Approximately 35% or more of sweet yellow corn in the U.S. is genetically modified. Therefore, there is no way to know if the yellow corn you purchase in the U.S. is genetically modified. For that matter, there is no way to know if any consumer product in the U.S. contains GMOs, unless you purchase directly from the farmer or grow your own.

Ongoing Global Controversy

In 2003, Zimbabwe and then Zambia made international news when the famine-plagued African countries rejected US food aid because it contained genetically modified (GM) corn. In 2004, the European Union strengthened its GMO labeling requirements even further under great consumer pressure.

In May of 2006, Democratic Congressman and 2004 U.S. presidential contender Dennis Kucinich introduced six bills addressing the gaps in legislative protections in the GMO food category in the United States.

In what has been dubbed a trade war, the European Union (EU) and the United States have had strong disagreements over the EU’s regulation of genetically modified foods. The Bush administration claimed these regulations violated free trade agreements, while the EU countered that free trade is ‘not truly free without informed consent.’ The matter was taken before the World Trade Organization.

On May 11, 2006 the World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed its February 2006 ruling against the European Union’s genetically modified organism (GMO) moratorium. The WTO ruled the EU broke trade rules with its six-year moratorium on approving GMO foods.

Now that I have presented both sides and some of the history, you may wonder, “What is this author’s opinion?” Personally, I never plan to eat sweet yellow corn again unless I grow it myself or until labeling becomes mandatory in the U.S. I am upset to know I have probably eaten GM corn without my knowledge or informed consent. In the absence of labeling, your choice is reduced to eating it blind or refusing to go blindly into the night.

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