The Technology of Bioengineered Corn

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Process
Use of Fertilizers
FDA Evaluation
Future Perspectives
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The technology of bioengineered foods, sometimes referred to as genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic crops, will be an essential element in meeting these challenging needs.

There is a growing problem of hunger facing most of the world’s populations. Many thousands die from starvation daily and as the population increases, this problem escalates which further necessitates the desperate need for a reliable supply of food. The technology of bioengineered foods, sometimes referred to as genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic crops, will be an essential element in meeting these challenging needs. The concept is not new but along with the increasing amount of bioengineered food appearing in the marketplace and as the associated benefits are being realized, a growing amount of controversy has ensued. Some have questioned the potential harm to people and the environment that could come from their production.

Process

Bioengineering any food involves “splicing a gene from one organism, such as a bacterium, into a plant or animal to confer certain traits” (Muth et al, 2002). These traits, developed for agricultural crops such as corn include increasing nutrients, tolerance to herbicides and drought, resistance to fungus and insects and reduced spoilage. Bioengineered corn and soybeans have become increasingly widespread among farmers during the last decade and the products can be commonly found in most grocery stores.

(US Food and Drug Administration, 2001). Bioengineered corn is genetically predisposed to repelling insects which reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizers used by farmers. This is an important by-product of bioengineering. Reducing the amount of chemicals used on crops especially one as prolific as corn not only lessens great amounts of toxins ingested by consumers but helps avert much more catastrophic consequences.

Use of Fertilizers

Fertilizers which are necessary to grow sufficient amounts of corn are poisoning drinking water and its runoff is draining into waterways and killing many species of fish and plants. (“Underlying Causes,” 1999). The benefits of reducing chemicals on crops are multi-faceted and deeply meaningful to the immediate crisis of starvation and the future sustainability of the soil used for growing crops. However, there exist potential drawbacks. “Genes from the genetically modified crop could be transferred to the pests. The pests then become resistant to the crop spray and the crop spraying becomes useless. A variety of insects are at risk of being killed. It might be predatory insects that eat the harmful ones or, perhaps attractive insects such as butterflies” (Future Food, 2002).

FDA Evaluation

All genetically produced proteins contained in corn products currently on the market have been evaluated by the FDA. According to the FDA, these proteins have been found to be “non-toxic, sensitive to heat, acid and enzymatic digestion, and hence rapidly digestible, and have no structural similarities with proteins known to cause allergies” (Thompson, 2000). This governmental agency has determined that the quality control and safety procedures such as taste testing, visual and chemical analyses commonly practiced by genetic food manufactures are adequate to ensure the public’s safety. The USDA, EPA and FDA have tested bioengineered corn extensively both in a natural environment and controlled laboratory settings for more than a decade. “Volumes of data have been generated on the food safety of bioengineered foods as well, with no evidence of safety risks” (Ruttan, 1999).

Future Perspectives

The further development and distribution of bioengineered corn will provide additional food sources in which to feed the masses of today and future generations of people as well. These products are also genetically designed to enhance vitamin deficiencies in staple food items which already have greatly improved life circumstances for many people. The implications for the future are boundless. (Potrykus, 1999). The new strains of corn have the potential to greatly reduce the instances of this significant health issue. In addition, according to UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), the vitamin enriched corn could prevent as many as two million infants from dying of this dietary deficiency because it predisposes them to measles and chronic diarrhea. (Arakawa et al, 1998).

Conclusion

Companies involved in manufacturing and distributing bioengineered corn, several academics and many various organizations throughout the world continue to warn that crop yields must be increased so that adequate supplies of food are available to feed the ever-growing populations of the world. Critics allege that the problem of global starvation is caused primarily by a disproportion of wealth and not by the lack of available foods. However, these critics are in the vast minority. Most experts agree that to at least some extent, bioengineered corn is the key to saving thousands of deaths from starvation every year. As time goes on, this challenge will become harder to meet and many more will starve on a daily basis unless bioengineered corn and other foods are more generally accepted and thus made more accessible to every part of the world. These advances will eventually be integrated into society but will do so more slowly because of fear-based objections which have little merit. While the development and distribution of bioengineered corn are slowed by these fears, millions more will starve, be blinded or die from malnutrition.

References

Arakawa, T. et al. (1998). “Efficacy of a Food Plant-based Oral Cholera Toxin B Subunit Vaccine.” Nature Biotechnology. Vol. 16, pp. 292-297.

“Future Food” (2002). Bionet. Web.

Muth, M.K.; Mancini, D; & Viator, C. (2002). “US Food Manufacturer Assessment of and Responses to Bioengineered Foods.” AgBioForum. Vol. 5, I. 3, pp. 90-100. Web.

Potrykus, I. (1999). “Vitamin-A and Iron-Enriched Rices May Hold Key to Combating Blindness and Malnutrition: A Biotechnology Advance.” Nature Biotechnology. Vol. 17.

Ruttan, V.W. (1999). “Biotechnology and Agriculture: A Skeptical Perspective.” AgBioForum. Vol. 2, N. 1, pp. 54-60.

Thompson, L. (2000). “Are Bioengineered Foods Safe?” FDA Consumer. Vol. 34, I. 1, pp. 1-5. Web.

“What are Underlying Causes of Deforestation?” (1999). World Rainforest Movement. Uruguay. Web.

US Food and Drug Administration. (2001). “Premarket Notice Concerning Bioengineered Foods: Proposed Rule.” Federal Register. Vol. 66, N. 12, pp. 4706-4738.

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