Abstract

Within any community, there exists controversy. The scientific controversy paper further expands on that idea. In this paper, Students were asked to choose any compelling scientific controversy within the community, and explain both sides. We were only allowed to include sources from the City College Library Database in order for our evidence to be credible. In addition, we were also allowed to be biased in this paper and choose a winner at our own discretion. Below is the scientific controversy I chose on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

 

GMOs and Society’s Interpretation

      During holidays or family reunions, there are mammoth amounts of food on the table in which family members and friends consume. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had their DNA altered with that of a different organism. Knowing that what if the food you and your family consumed was genetically modified? Would being aware of that make it less pleasurable to eat? Would you be more concerned than usual about the health-related risks of your family as well as yours? Although there is little evidence as to whether GMOs are dangerous, people often default to the worst possible scenario because of GMOs being unnatural. DNA modifying is typically used and accepted in the medical field, but when incorporated into foods people often feel skeptical and reject it. Like any controversy, there are two sides to an argument. While most people believe GMOs to be harmful, there are others that deem them necessary for survival, and therefore automatically accept the idea. Regardless of these arguments, nothing is accepted without evidence to support one’s claim.

      Our food originates from local farms. All the crops that are produced there get shipped and delivered across the world for consumers to buy. This is made possible thanks to the altered DNA within crops that make it repellent to insects. Before, farmers would work hard and spend tons of money on pesticides to prevent insects from ruining their crops. Today, by genetically modifying crops to produce their own poison (that are only harmful to insects), farmers work less and are still able to provide for themselves. This also results in there being more crops for people to consume. Sameer Joshi, a researcher at Agriculture Victoria, published a research article with the collaboration of other scientists on delayed leaf senescence. Leaf senescence is associated with the aging of plants. It is the last process a plant undergoes before it dies. However, leaf senescence can be delayed with plant hormones like cytokinin. In an experiment lead by Joshi, an isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene was encoded with cytokinin enzymes and then was transferred into wheat plants. Joshi observed that the wheat plants were experiencing delayed leaf senescence, which meant that the cells within the plants took longer to die, and therefore resulted in higher wheat plant yields. Joshi then concluded, by delaying the effects of leaf senescence, crops may continue to produce higher amounts of food for a longer period (Joshi). In both cases, GMOs have proven to be the smart choice as it benefits the food industry. Joshi’s contribution to keeping plants from experiencing senescence can help sustain plants from perishing for an extra amount of time. Considering how many people inhabit the Earth today, without GMOs many people would surely starve to death. There is not enough food to accommodate every single human being on Earth. However, with the help of GMOs, crops are now able to withstand harsh climates and annoying insects. By learning to manipulate certain traits, we can hope to one day solve world hunger for people around the world. 

      People who disagree with the advancement of GMOs are mainly concerned with the health risks involved. Since all GMOs are made in laboratories, they carry some degree of uncertainty among people. Some people may even find closure in consuming non-GMO products as opposed to products that are genetically modified. The article, Study finds link between GMOs and current health care crisis, thoroughly gives information about GMOs and how they can prove harmful to the human body. Within the article, the Institute of BioAcoustic Biology inspect clients who exhibit gluten sensitivities. After discovering the clients’ consumed grains along with three other proteins, it states,

Patent records indicated the grains involved are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) developed and patented by a multinational agricultural biotech conglomerate. These proteins were linked to nearly all systems of the human body; causing immune distortion, acute cellular inflammation, and disruptions in cell communication…Further investigation revealed that the engineered genes contained two substitutions that distorted the way the body processes two sulfur-rich amino acids: proline and glutamine (Study finds link between GMOs and current health care crisis).

In other words, the article gives warning to consumers that typically buy GMO products. Amino acids are very important for our bodies to function properly. In total, we have 20 amino acids, and GMOs could potentially interfere with two. Because of the potential disturbances in these amino acids, this could result in a malfunction with the way our DNA is constructed. While this is alarming, we should stop and think about the many things we already consume at the expense of our bodies. Are GMOs as bad? They certainly help in the long run with sustaining plant life and providing food. But simply because something could potentially pose a threat, does that give us enough reason to discard GMOs completely?

      We have seen the effect of GMOs on plants as well as their potential health risks, but we have yet to explore GMOs within animals. Animals provide us with a variety of useful materials already, such as fur and food with essential proteins and vitamins. When genetically modifying an animal’s DNA with that of another animal, we are wanting a specific trait to pass on. In other words, we are isolating the best traits to get the most out of the animal. Researcher, Peter Kalds, specifically focuses on the genes of Sheep and Goats, and how they can be utilized for multiple applications. Kalds specifies that “Gene-edited sheep and goats can lead to valuable models for investigations on gene functions, improving animal breeding, producing pharmaceuticals in milk, improving animal disease resistance, recapitulating human diseases, and providing hosts for the growth of human organs” (Kalds). In short, there are vast numbers of applications this study can lead to, much more than studies relating to genetically modified plants. This advancement could, as stated by Kalds, lead to innovative ways of treatment in medicine. An example of such treatment is how we can utilize these animals to grow healthy human organs to save countless lives. After hearing this information, is it not the right call for scientists to continue research on GMOs to discover more uses?

      GMOs are the key to making the most use of the materials we already have. But the answer to whether or not we should continue research is yet to be determined. With plants, we can genetically modify specific genes that will allow the plant to thrive in a hostile environment. For example, as Joshi demonstrated, the IPT gene can be used to delay the leaf senescence of plants. As a result, plants can sustain life for much longer in order to produce higher amounts of food for the rest of the world. However, what good is more food if people are concerned with the health risks circling GMOs? Many people refuse to use products that have been genetically modified because of the probability of them doing more harm than good. Nevertheless, both sides of the controversy are completely valid and raise further questions. Questions like: Is there a way to make GMOs safer to ease the tension? After all, GMOs are an essential part of our lives now. We are highly dependent on them to produce more food for people around the world. Not only do GMOs put food to the table, but they can also be used on animals to discover more applications of GMOs in medicine. Regardless of whether GMOs are a step towards the right direction, it is important to be informed of both sides of any controversy before siding with one.

Works Cited

Joshi, Sameer, et al. “Improved Wheat Growth and Yield by Delayed Leaf Senescence Using Developmentally Regulated Expression of a Cytokinin Biosynthesis Gene.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 2019, p. NA. Gale In Context: Science, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A603119133/SCIC?u=cuny_ccny&sid=SCIC&xid=ac00cbed. Accessed 21 Oct. 2019.

Kalds, Peter, et al. “Sheep and Goat Genome Engineering: From Random Transgenesis to the CRISPR Era.” Frontiers in Genetics, 2019, p. NA. Gale In Context: Science, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A602511045/SCIC?u=cuny_ccny&sid=SCIC&xid=7c5fb7c5. Accessed 23 Oct. 2019.

“Study finds link between GMOs and current health care crisis.” Townsend Letter, Apr. 2011, p. 74+. Gale In Context: Science, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A253882361/SCIC?u=cuny_ccny&sid=SCIC&xid=fd0e3205. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019.