GMO’s popular depiction
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Kenya imposed a ban on genetically modified foods. Many theories have been advanced as to the effects of GMO foods some valid while others not. What was the main reason for Kenya to impose the ban? A research done by Seralini was indeed the impetus that provided the necessary reason behind the ban. Kenya as we speak is the only country to have a ban in the entire world. Russia also put out a ban after the paper that was published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal that GM crops routinely grown by farmers and eaten by consumers cause tumours in rats. It took Russia three weeks to lift the ban. Kenya insists on proper procedures around GMOs and bio safety regulations. This on the contrary has added wood to the fire with a superstitious populace adding sugar and spice into the debate. What are some of the myths being advocated? Historically, new products that were disruptive were stigmatized. Are we seeing the same with GMO foods? The debate in the early 19th century around coffee, the introduction of tractors on farms and more recently the debate around margarine and butter.
What are some of the theories being advocated and how similar are the theories with cases in the past where products were stigmatised? Anti-GMO proponents as also mentioned in the article say that GMO is known to cause cancer. The paper by Seralini also lays credence to this school of thought. The journal eventually pressured Seralini to withdraw his paper as some of the findings were not based on scientific evidence. He is accused of using a rat strain that is prone to tumors infestation. This debate is still alive to date specifically around coffee. Many state that caffeine a core ingredient in coffee is responsible for causing cancer. This can not be further from the truth. Studies have shown, drinking coffee in moderation leads to reduced risk to cancer,diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and gall stone disease as well as an increased rate of metabolism. GMO foods have been in existence in other countries for more that 15 years and no studies have been conclusive enough to link cancer to GMO foods. There is the counter argument that since it is inconclusive, then we should not consume such foods. On the same note, I think it would be grossly wrong to lay the blame for increased cancer cases squarely on GMO foods. What has been documented has been the increase in food allergens due to GMO foods. This is specifically to Soy grown GMO strain.
The other popular rumour is that GMO’s cause infertility or impotence. This is indeed further from the truth. No studies have been conclusive enough to come to this conclusion. A recent MIT study came to the conclusion that the herbicides used on GMO plants are likely to cause cancer and infertility more than the food itself. The study focussed on America and the MIT researcher main focus was not weather GMO’s or organic was better but rather the preparation that goes into GMO foods is what could cause cancer. It is important to note that the US has higher levels of glycophosphate than any other country a major contributor to causing cancer. Though ,the government should respect people’s fears and should not force people to consume GMO foods, it is important to note the percentage use of glycophosphate in the US on GMO food growth is extra high. More research is required to conclusively determine how other countries that do not have such glycophosphate levels fair. With lack of evidence, we would be greatly doing injustice to condemn GMO’s as cancer causing. Given Kenya’s risk towards drought, there has been a huge debate if such GMO foods should be used in school feeding programmes. This is indeed causing jitters to parents who take their children to public schools and in this entire debate they are not as worried about the infertility possibility but rather that their children are getting fed. To move this debate forward labelling the foods is a possible compromise though citizens should be provided with the option of GMO food or fully organic food. This is the main reason for the resistance of GMO foods in the UK. Since no conclusive evidence has been tabled to show their effects in causing cancer, the UK took a more moderate approach of having stricter laws until such theories are proven wrong or right conclusively.
[2].http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kenya+imported+3m+bags+of+GMO+maize/-/1056/1228664/-/1001js8z/-/
[3].http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/2148908/-/6gh22jz/-/index.html
[4].http://www.nation.co.ke/business/warning-against-GMO-ban-lift/-/996/2096116/-/q2yg70z/-/index.html
I’ve been trying to follow this issue here in the states and it’s fascinating to hear about the ban in Kenya. You seem to be walking a kind of middle ground on the issue, but there are places where you make claims that I would like to see a reference – like “A recent MIT study…” I’d like to know which study and have a link and would be more convinced of the thoroughness of your take on things if these were present. But I think taking the strategy of presenting how another country dealt with an issue is a very compelling one and leaves me wanting to understand more about GMOs in the Kenyan context.