Genetically Modified Crops: The Impact on Asia
Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants that have had genes from other species added to them to change their characteristics. They are also known as "genetically engineered" crops. There is a great deal of argument about whether such crops are safe or not. FFTC recently held an international seminar to discuss the problems, and the impact of GM crops on Asian farmers.
Thus, almost all GM food crops are being grown in North and South America. However, although Asian countries are not growing GM food crops themselves, Asian people are still eating them. This is because the top producers of GM crops are also major exporters. The United States, for example, exports around 36% of the soybeans it produces. The United States does not require GM foods to be labeled, so harvested GM soybeans are not usually segregated. Bulk shipments of soybeans and corn are a mixture of both GM and non-GM grain.
This situation is now changing. A growing number of importing countries, including those of Asia, are beginning to pass laws requiring that GM foods are labeled. The basic principle is not that GM crops are dangerous, but that consumers have the right to know what they are buying.
Tests for GM Foods
There is not much point in insisting on labels for GM foods unless you can distinguish them from ordinary foods. Otherwise, there is no way to check whether the rules are being followed.
The most common test for GM foods is PCR. This stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The polymerase chain reaction is a technique for the amplification of DNA in the laboratory.
The DNA sample has to be amplified about a million times. This makes a huge number of copies of a DNA sequence so that its size, sequence etc. can be determined. The particular stretch of DNA to be amplified is called the target sequence. It is identified by a specific pair of DNA primers. These duplicate the exact DNA sequence to be identified.
PCR is accurate, but technically difficult and rather expensive. It may be difficult for less industrialized countries to fund this kind of advanced genetic testing. Another problem with PCR testing is that it is difficult to identify GM crops which are present in processed foods. Baby food is a particular concern.
Processed GM Foods
Tofu and other traditional Asian soybean products involve heating and sometimes fermentation during processing. This changes the nature of the proteins and destroys some of the DNA.
Scientists in the region are developing systems which can distinguish GM crops used as ingredients in processed foods, even after prolonged processing. Some of these were described at the FFTC seminar. Some use nested PCR, in which two pairs of PCR primers are used for a single locus. Others use multiplex PCR, which amplifies more than one DNA fragment in one reaction. It can detect and analyze several genes at the same time. This increases the accuracy of the test, and avoids possible mistakes.
The Benefits of GM Crops
Farmers are not forced to plant GM crops. It is a decision they take because it brings them benefits. Why do farmers choose to plant them?
At present, most GM crops were developed to be tolerant to herbicides or resistant to pests. This type of GM crop tends to benefit the farmer rather than the consumer.
The next step in GM crops may be to enhance the value of the harvested crop. For example, soybeans or cereals may have a higher content of vitamins or protein, or may have other kinds of health benefits. Both farmers and consumers will benefit from GM crops of this kind. This in turn may help promote the acceptance of GM products.
The third step may be to use plants as factories, producing high-value raw materials for industry. Some potential products could be protein-based pharmaceutical drugs, industrial enzymes and biodegradable polymers.
The genetic contamination of ordinary crops with GM genes is already a problem. It may become a very serious one, if GM versions of traditional food crops are being bred for non-food uses.
Contamination of Crops with GM Genes
One concern over GM crops is the possible contamination of ordinary crops with GM genes, as a result of pollen drift. A paper presented at the FFTC seminar discussed experiments in Japan to test genetic dispersal in corn pollen. Sixty-four percent of the pollen was deposited within ten meters of the crop. However, pollen drift did not fall to zero even a long way from the corn field. This means that quarantining by distance may not stop genetic dispersal from GM crops, even if the level is low. Pollen drift is even more likely in rice than in corn. Rice pollen is lighter than corn pollen, and more easily carried by the wind.
The question was raised of compensation. If crops become contaminated by GM crops, their value may fall. For example, organic produce usually sells for a higher price. However, organic produce is not allowed to contain GM genes. If an organic farmer's crops become contaminated by GM pollen, who will pay for his losses? Similarly, non-GM food crops are at the moment selling for a higher price than GM ones in most countries in Asia. If pollen drift from a GM crop contaminates a traditional crop of the same kind on the neighboring farm, is compensation due? If so, who will pay it, the GM seed company or the grower of the GM crop? ??
Impact of GM Crops on Asian Smallholders
AN IMPORTANT topic of the workshop was the impact of GM crops on Asian smallholders. Are they suffering any losses at present, or could losses be expected in the future? Should they be assisted to gain access to GM seeds. If so, what is the best way to do it?
At present, GM food crops are not having much impact, since they are not being grown in Asia. The fact that most imported soybeans and corn are GM has in fact opened up a window of opportunity. For some years, it has been difficult for local growers to make a profit from rice and corn. Now, many consumers are willing to pay high prices for local products, because they know they are not GM. In Korea, the price of locally produced soybeans is much higher than the price of imported ones.
Looking ahead, one of the main dangers is that a few large multinational companies may dominate the market for GM seeds in Asia. This would raise seed prices and limit farmers' choices. Another important problem is whether GM crops can be grown side-by-side with traditional crops without cross-contamination on the small, intensive farms of Asia.
Conclusion
Although GM foods may offer great benefits, certain concerns must be met before these foods can be accepted as a net gain. The main fear is that eating GM food may carry long-term health risks to human beings, particularly allergy problems.
It is often claimed that there is no evidence of adverse effects from eating GM foods. However, there is also a lack of studies which might find these effects, if they exist. People's worries would be greatly eased if such studies could be carried out by some independent body.
The other concern is that GM foods may bring with them unexpected environmental problems. We know that in the past, human behavior has damaged nature in a way that cannot now be redressed. The extinction of many species and global warming are two examples. We need to be sure that GM crops will not cause the same kind of disastrous side-effect. We need more evidence that these crops are safe and sustainable.
It was suggested at the FFTC seminar that not just at a regional level, but at a global level, we need a common ground of regulatory measures, to govern the movement of GM crops from one country to another. The Cartagena Protocol is an important first step in this direction.
Index of Images
Figure 1 Soybeans for Sale in Korean Traditional Market. the GM Soybeans (the White Beans at Center Front) Are Identified with a Label.
Figure 2 Packet of Soybeans with (Voluntary) Label Showing It Is Non-GM. from 2003, GM Foods Sold in Most Asian Countries Will Have a Compulsory Label.
Figure 3 Close-up of Soybean Label.
