Companies also benefit as they can purchase goods at a reduced cost.
However, beneath the benefits of utilizing GMO's, there exist several possible unintended outcomes. While some people believe that GMO's are entirely safe for consumption and place their faith in the FDA, a large majority of Americans feel otherwise. One of the most discussed cons of GM foods is the relative lack of testing done on them. As GE is a comparatively nascent industry, there has not been enough research into the unintended effects. If a crop does not respond positively to an inserted gene it may display unwanted characteristics included with the original trait. Some of these unwanted characteristics would cause plants to contain things like harmful allergens, toxins, anti-biotic resistant genes, viral agents, lowered nutrition, immunodeficiency causing factors, and carcinogens.2 While many argue that these are extremely rare cases, they are still quite plausible given the little amount we understand about biology. Geneticists only fully understand 3% of DNA; the other 97% is still a mystery to us. Even though we try to manipulate organisms through a single gene, it is actually a combination of many genes that make up a trait. Due to this, unwanted side-effects are a possibility given current practices and knowledge.3 In addition, many countries worldwide, already heavily bar GE foods, with England calling for a moratorium on such foods. Such action may be a bit harsh, as there are still benefits, and as long a certain product has been extensively tested, it should not be banned. A major example of GE gone wrong is that of L-tryptophan. An OTC drug, a GE brand of the medication led to the deaths of 37 Americans, and affected 5000 others.4.
While the actual product does make a remarkable impact on its use, the concept and handling of GMO's in the economic sense also play a big part. Many farmers become interested in purchasing GMO seeds to increase their yield and thus profit.