Final paper

Ciara Hoff

Nancy Voggesser

College Writing

May 10^th, 2011

 Genetically Engineered Soybeans: Good or Bad?

            Have you ever tried soy milk, tofu, or soy sauce? If so, you've eaten some of the many products of soybeans. A common misconception about soybeans is that many organic food products are composed partly or entirely of soybeans because they are an organic crop. This isn't entirely untrue, but the majority of soybeans grown in the United States aren't entirely organic. You might be surprised to find that most soybean fields are grown from genetically modified seeds. These seeds have become so popular in the last couple decades that conventional soybeans (not genetically modified) are now the minority. Genetically modified soybeans have both good and bad effects on the food industry, the farmers that grow them, the people that eat them, and even the environment.

            If a food is labeled as organic, it means that it comes from products that have been farmed without using pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically altered organisms. Genetically modified soybeans, as indicated by their name, already defy one of the requirements for organic food. But this is hardly a concern for most people in the United States. In fact, 85% percent of soybeans grown here in the U.S. are genetically engineered (GMO Compass).

            GMO (genetically modified) soybeans are grown from seeds that Biotechnologists created to contain a gene that is resistant to herbicide and other pesticides, making them a much more reliable and profitable crop. Biotechnologists also claim that the GMO seeds grow a larger yield of soybeans in each crop, and that the GMO beans are higher in essential nutrients than conventional ones. GMO soybean fields are resistant to many of the dangers that opposed conventional crops for hundreds of years before: such as pests, frost, excessive heat, and even drought. This can allow farmers to grow more successful crops and lead a more financially stable lifestyle. GMO soybeans and other GMO products can also be beneficial to the environment. They allow farmers to farm more food from less land, and can last longer in storage on the way to the supermarket (GMO Compass, Weighing the GMO arguments [fao.org]).

            GMO soybeans and other crops of the like have disadvantages along with the advantages listed above. The primary concern of the Center for Food Safety is that GMO products can create serious health risks for humans, animals, and the environment. The consequences of GMO food on humans ranges from resistance to antibiotics, allergies, food poisoning, and even cancer. GMO soy beans are often put in animal feed, which could be giving the animals harmful toxins and hormones as well. Because of cross-pollination, GMO soy beans could easily contaminate other, conventional soybeans, which could ultimately lead to the extinction of conventional soybeans all together. This could be tremendously devastating to the environment and to us, since GMO products pose potential threats to human and animal health (Genetically Engineered Crops [centerforfoodsaftey.org].

            Although GMO soybean seeds provide more abundant and durable crops, they have some negative effects on the farmers as well. Monsanto is an agricultural corporation that sells about 90 percent of the GMO seeds in the United States. Monsanto was the first company to genetically engineer and patent "Round-Up Ready" seeds that are resistant to pesticides. Many farmers, under contract with Monsanto or not, have been sued for either saving their own soybean seeds, or illegally planting Monsanto's GMO seeds without a license (which can happen simply due to cross-pollination). These offenses are called "patent infringement" and have been used to keep farmers under control and in debt since the 1990's. Monsanto even has a staff of 75 policemen who are employed solely to investigate and prosecute farmers (Center for Food Safety, Company Profile: Monsanto [crocodyl.org]). 

            In conclusion, genetically modified soybeans have both good and bad qualities, and affect people and the environment in different ways. GMO soybeans may be more plentiful, nutritious, and durable; but they may also be harmful to our health, the environment, and the farmers that raise them. But it is unquestionable that, despite the potential risks, GMO seeds and agricultural products are a significant step forward for science and the food industry.