Lisa Karjala
0708244
Ever since the introduction of genetically modified foods, there has been debate about their use. In recent research, however it was found that even non genetically altered foods can benefit from genetically modified foods. In recent findings, genetically modified corn that contained a gene for protection against insects, such as the European corn borer, actually helped to protect corn without the gene. The European corn Borer is a moth whose caterpillars eat corn leaves and tunnel through corn stalks, and have been said to cost American farmers more than one billion dollars per year. The gene itself was derived from a bacterium that is lethal to the European corn Borer, and acts the same way when used in the genes of corn. The corn that does contain the gene is known as Bt corn, and corn without the Bt gene is known as non-Bt corn.
Scientists have recently
discovered a way for supporters and boycotters to take advantage of genetically modified organisms. By planting non-Bt corn near Bt corn, the non-Bt corn is less effected by the European corn borer. This is due to the fact that female corn borers use both non-Bt and Bt corn for laying their eggs, and if all the caterpillars on Bt corn die, then there are significantly less corn borers that can effect non- Bt corn. This is what scientists call the “halo effect”, and was established in 1996 by Alstad and Andlow. So if the premise is so old, why is it news?
Although the premise of the “halo effect” was created in 1996, the economic benefits of this effect have only just recently been determined. Hutchinson et. al are the first to provide an economic analysis of the halo effect. In this analysis, they showed that it is much more efficient, economically speaking, for farmers to purchase and plant non-Bt corn. They arrive at this conclusion due to two factors. The first being that Bt corn seeds are very expensive and by purchasing non-Bt corn seeds the farmers will save money. The second being that as long as the farmers plant their non-Bt corn near Bt corn, they need not worry about insects, due to the halo effect. This conclusion, however, relies on the non-Bt corn being planted near Bt corn, which may not be possible. Therefore, farmers may want to purchase half of their corn to be Bt corn, and half non-Bt corn. This would eliminate the problem of not having the Bt corn for the halo effect.
By farmers planting both Bt and non-Bt corn, another, much larger problem can be eliminated: the willingness of people to purchase genetically modified foods. The debate between supporters and boycotters is a serious one, and it doesn’t look like it will be resolved any time soon. The halo effect, however, provides a solution to the debate about genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). The halo effect provides a premise, so that both boycotters and supporters will be satisfied. The boycotters of GMO’s can be satisfied, because there is non-genetically modified food that is still relatively protected from pests. The supporters of GMO’s can be satisfied because GMO’s are still being used. The fact is that genetically modified food is becoming more abundant than non-genetically modified food. The premise of the halo effect allows more of a balance between the GMO’s and non GMO’s, making both supporters and boycotters of GMO’s happy, as well as the farmers who are growing them. This idea expands on the economic relevance, as discussed above, because now consumers have a choice between GMO’s and non GMO’s, making the consumer more likely to purchase whichever product they desire.
Although this does seem like a valid resolution to the debate on GMO’s, it is most likely that problems will still arise regarding the issue. The point is that at least temporarily, there has been a way for both GMO’s and non GMO’s to have the benefits of GMO’s. This is a scientific breakthrough, as well as an economic breakthrough in the field of agriculture.
Tabashnik, Bruce E. "Communal Benifits of Transgenic Corn." Science 330.6001 (2010): 189-190. Web. 14 Oct 2010.
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