The theme of genetically modified food was front and centre at a forum in Grand Forks last week.
Alex Atamanenko, MP for the B.C. Southern Interior, co-sponsored the event with the Grand Forks and Boundary Regional Agricultural Society (GFBRAS) and Lucy Sharratt, co-ordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) was one of those featured.
Genetic modification of food is, as the term implies, when the genetic makeup of food is altered through engineering, specifically when different DNA molecules from another source are combined.
A CBC online news article from May 2004 says that it is when “genes of one organism have been ‘cut out’ and then ‘pasted’ into another organism.”
It is a controversial topic with those in favour arguing that food can be created that is resistant to pests and herbicides and subsequently leads to less waste (from the damage that pests can cause).
Another argument is that food can be engineered to survive such condition as frost and thus grow in different environments.
Those against say that genetically modified food is a health risk and mutations can form leading to toxins – there have been reports of people developing allergies because of genetically altered food.
A parallel can be seen in the on again, off again steroid and performance-enhancing drug (PED) scandal in Major League Baseball.
The majority admonished the use of steroids, citing the dangers that such drugs can cause – depression, excessive aggressiveness (‘roid rage), heart disease and liver damage and death amongst other things.
The minority said that it led to stronger players, which in turn led to the home run races of the latter ‘90s.
Some say those were vital to keeping interest in the game as there was fallout from a work stoppage in 1994.
The use of steroids and performance enhancers is cheating and is illegal not only in baseball but in many pro sports. The negative effects aren’t just limited to the aforementioned either.
Yes it does create a stronger athlete, who in turn can perform better on the field but it isn’t worth that athlete developing the number of potentially lethal side effects.
Sports doesn’t tolerate steroid and performance enhancing drug use, society shouldn’t tolerate genetically modified food.
The negatives far outweigh the positives as it is personal health and well-being that is being jeopardized.
– Grand Forks Gazette