"Using the tools of bio-technology, researchers are working to reduce the bitterness in citrus fruits, reduce saturated fats in cooking oils, produce more flavorful tomatoes, and even lessen the gassiness caused by beans" (Bren 4). At first glance, this might look exciting to some people. Deeper consideration reveals some advantages, as well as serious dangers. .
The wrong treatment of GE crops may cause several environmental risks. The most widely used genetically engineered plants are herbicide resistant. These plants are created so that farmers can overuse herbicides on their farms to kill weeds. This of course harms the soil and greatly affects its performance later on. Overuse of herbicides can also pollute groundwater and can cause various other forms of ecological damage (Rauch 104). In addition to herbicide resistance, scientists have also created plants with pest-resistant capabilities. Growing these pest resistant plants have also caused much concern. They are engineered to kill pests who would eat them but, might also kill non-targeted insects as well. The non-target insects are usually extremely beneficial to the farming ecosystem (Long 3). Furthermore, there are several ways through which the genes of GE crops may move to other plants. That is to say, GE crops could pollute nearby natural crops. When the wind blows it will carry the pollen from the engineered plants and pollute the gene pool of natural plants in the vicinity (Long 3).
Most of the time, the sale of GEFs is being permitted without informing the public with the possible danger. The FDA has no policy of classifying alien genes as food additives and therefore does not require the labeling for the GE component (Long 2). This of course is a violation of human rights which can easily be avoided by simply informing consumers of the product's characteristics. When genetic engineers insert new genes into any organism, it can lead to disruption and unpredictable changes in the pattern and structure of the new genetic function.
