Good GMO vs Bad GMO
Disclaimer: A lot of weird words ahead. And science. Stay with us. If you make it through, you’ll get to sound extra smart at your next dinner party. Worth it.
What Does GMO Stand For?
Let’s make sure we’re all starting on the same page. What’s a GMO? GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. ‘Genetically’ refers to genes (the little guys in cells made of and instructed by DNA to grow and develop a certain way). ‘Modified’ means changed. ‘Organism’ — any living thing. Putting this information together, GMOs refer to something living that has been artificially changed on a genetic level in order to alter one or more characteristics.
Each modification starts with a single cell. A scientist will insert a gene of choice into the DNA of said cell. As the cell divides (a process usually sped up naturally-occurring plant hormones) each new cell now has that gene. Most of the original genetic code remains intact, untouched. But the part that needed to be “fixed” is rewritten. Bada bing, bada boom.
An example will help clarify. Bt-corn. Naturally, corn has a lot of enemies. Destructive pests can take out an entire crop before it has a fighting chance. Specifically, the larvae of European and southwestern corn borers. Gross. Luckily, a naturally-growing soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis produces a protein that kills borer larvae. This specific protein doesn’t harm much else, making it a perfect candidate for transforming regular corn into resilient corn that is safe for human and animal consumption. In the lab, a sliver of genetic material from Bacillus thuringiensis (the part that says ‘make this protein to protect yourself’) is spliced into the existing DNA of a single corn cell. The cell multiplies. The resulting corn species, named very imaginatively Bt-corn, produces the same protein that will kill corn borer larvae within minutes of being eaten. No harmful pesticides needed.
So… GMOs Can Be Good?
GMOs can be good. That is part of my point. Let’s discuss the Impossible Burger. The fact is, meat is not a sustainable market. We are running through the world’s resources. We have to start focusing on sustainability above convention, and we’ve already discussed the positive impact plant-based diets have on our planet. Impossible Foods is figuring out how to get the best of both worlds — -a plant-based product that satisfies your craving for meat. The “catch” here, is it requires genetic modification.
Within this conversation, heme is our star. Heme, a component of hemoglobin, is an iron-containing molecule that carries oxygen all around your (and every animal’s) body. It also happens to be the flavor you crave in meat. Scientists at Impossible Foods discovered a way to sustainably create heme without animals. Soy produces leghemoglobin within its root modules, on a very small scale. Yeasts are known for making a large amount of proteins through a process called fermentation (such as, the wine and beer-making processes). Impossible Foods inserts the DNA of soy’s leghemoglobin protein into the DNA of yeast, and the natural fermentation process yields a large amount of heme. That genetically-engineered heme mixed with the perfect proportions of potato & wheat proteins, coconut oil, soy, konjac and xanthan (natural binders) creates the perfect plant-based, “meaty” burger. And, our home stays happy.
Then What’s With All the GMO-Shaming?
Well, GMOs can be bad. The major issue here is that we don’t know everything there is to know about them. By human nature, what we don’t know scares us. And, we’re familiar with technological advancements that end up doing more harm than good. Cars and pollution. Disposable plastics and… pollution. Antibiotics and stronger bacteria.
There is a type of GMO corn and soybeans that were created to be able to survive Roundup, a herbicide that contains glyphosate, which inhibits a plant’s ability to create some of its essential amino acids. More simply, glyphosate kills plants. Roundup Ready crops contain a different amino acid-making enzyme that isn’t blocked by glyphosate. Sounds great, until it’s not. Farmers were suddenly able to use herbicide generously to keep the weeds under control, and not worry about killing their own crops. But now, the weeds have become monsters, stronger against the herbicides than ever. Which means, more herbicide. The cycle is catastrophic.
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The major problem with genetic modification is that we don’t yet know all of the long-term effects on ourselves or the planet. We’re living in a time of great experimentation, and we all know from 3rd grade science that countless experiments fail. The failures will, eventually, lead to successes, but we don’t know how long that will take or how much damage we will create along the way. The key is, yet again, to stay informed. Our scientists must test each theory with open minds and well-rounded questions. They must seek solutions that are socially-responsible. We must all work together for a more sustainable future. Love you.
sources:
https://impossiblefoods.com/heme
https://sciencing.com/positive-effects-genetic-engineering-8742901.html
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2013/genetically-modified-organisms/
https://responsibletechnology.org/10-reasons-to-avoid-gmos/
https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/pawy9b/what-are-gmos-are-they-safe
https://ag.purdue.edu/GMOs/Pages/WhatareGMOs.aspx
