AliciaLinGMO

= **Genetically Modified Organisms** =

**The Environmental and Health Risks of GMOs What Are Genetically Modified Organisms? ** A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism who’s genetics have been engineered. This means that scientists may be able to create new species of plants, animals and micro-organisms that are not found in nature.[[|7]]     ** Prevalence of GMOs ** Monsanto, a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, has a close monopoly in some seed markets. In 2009, Monsanto sold $7.3 billion of seed and seed genes. [[|4]]

90% of soybean and 80% of corn and cotton crops in the U.S. are grown using Monsanto’s technology, [4] 60% of all processed foods in the U.S. are made with ingredients using GM soybeans, corn, or canola. [[|6]]

Monsanto on a global scale ** Overview of the Problem With GMOs ** GMOs pose environmental harm and a potential risk to humans. Additionally, with the intellectual property surrounding GMOs, scientists are unable to study the potential risks associated with GMOs. **
 * India - 20 million acres of cotton
 * Brazil - 35 million acres of soybeans
 * Argentina - 43 million acres of soybeans [[|4]]

Genetic Pollution ** Unlike products, once GMOs are introduced to the environment, they cannot simply be recalled, thus causing genetic pollution. [[|7]] Certain GMOs, such as sunflower, can become widespread in nature and interbreed with its natural counterpart. Thus, creating future generations of GMOs that may cause potential environmental and health hazards in an unpredictable way. [[|7]] This also causes a major threat to our environment’s biodiversity. ** Unsustainable Nature ** It is common practice for farmers to save seeds to sell and replant; however, with GMOs, these crops cannot reproduce themselves, thus farmers are forced to continually pay for GM seeds every year. [[|2]]

Some animals do not respond well to GM crops. For instance, 44% of caterpillars of the monarch butterfly died when few pollen from the GM Corn. [[|6]] **

Social Consequences ** Indian farmers transitioning to use GM seeds and herbicides found immense difficulty. Monsanto and Cargill promised higher yields of productivity, but due to India’s climate, the seeds produced poor yields and needed more pesticides. Combined with the higher cost of the seeds, the GMOs caused a financial debt in Indian farmers. More than 4,500 farmers have committed suicide due mostly to the large debt they faced. [[|5]] Intellectual Property ** It was reported by the non-profit Center for Food and Safety that 112 lawsuits by Monsanto were against farmers for claims of seed patent violations. [[|5]] Monsanto owns the intellectual property of the seeds they produce, but like any seed, seeds spread throughout nature or transmit genes to nearby crops. Without farmer intentionally doing so, they may grow Monsanto crops and face a crippling law suit, thus forcing them to shut down their farm.

Companies such as Monsanto, Pioneer and Syngenta have forbidden the use of seeds for any independent research for more than a decade. Scientist thus cannot test the conditions of the seeds in the environment, compare seeds, or examine environmental side effects. [[|1]] **

Solutions ** Biodiversity is important and a key to survival. Governments are trying to resolve the issues associated with GMOs with international regulations, like the Biosafety Protocol. The Biosafety Protocol basically regulates the trade of GMOs internationally. Raising awareness on the issue as well as making a stance by buying products that are not genetically modified are also ways of making a difference.


 * Related Links **
 * **[|The Planet Versus Monsanto]**
 * **[|Genetically Modified Corn - Environmental Benefits and Risks]**
 * ** [|Say No To Genetic Engineering] **
 * ** [|The Debate Over Genetically Modified Food] **
 * **[|Genetically Modified Food]**
 * **[|Monsanto Criticism]**
 * **[|Do Seed Companies Control GM Crop Research?]**


 * For the Complete Bibliography, click here.**