Past to Present: A History of Genetically Modified Foods
"That great, growling engine of change -- technology."
-ALVIN TOFFLER
1935
Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky isolated DNA for the first time in 1935; he starts the science that eventually lead to the creation of genetically modified food, or GM food.
1973
However, even after Belozersky's remarkable discovery, it was almost another forty years before any further findings were made in this area. In 1973, biochemist Herbert Boyer and geneticist Stanley Cohen collaborated to create the first man-made DNA, also called rDNA, which started the era of genetic engineering.
1975
People were worried about unknown hazards in genetic engineering, so a group of scientists, lawyers and doctors create the Asilomar Conference to talk about guidelines for safe practice in DNA engineering. It was agreed that only disabled bacteria, which means it will die if it leaves the lab, would be used in the research.
Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky isolated DNA for the first time in 1935; he starts the science that eventually lead to the creation of genetically modified food, or GM food.
1973
However, even after Belozersky's remarkable discovery, it was almost another forty years before any further findings were made in this area. In 1973, biochemist Herbert Boyer and geneticist Stanley Cohen collaborated to create the first man-made DNA, also called rDNA, which started the era of genetic engineering.
1975
People were worried about unknown hazards in genetic engineering, so a group of scientists, lawyers and doctors create the Asilomar Conference to talk about guidelines for safe practice in DNA engineering. It was agreed that only disabled bacteria, which means it will die if it leaves the lab, would be used in the research.
1980
A court case between General Electric Co and the U.S. patent office, about a patent on a bacterium that eats oil, rules that genetically altered life forms are allowed to be patented in a 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling.
1982
The FDA approves of the first GMO drug product- human insulin
1994
The first GM food is approved in the United States. Flavr Savr, a genetically engineered tomato that had a delayed-ripening which allowed for a longer shelf life, was brought into stores and was in high demand. However, this product was expensive to make so the product was never profitable, and in 1998, when sales of the product declined, stores stopped selling the product.
1996
GM resistant weeds are discovered in Australia. These super weeds are resistant to glyphosate, a herbicide used in a wide variety of crops.
A court case between General Electric Co and the U.S. patent office, about a patent on a bacterium that eats oil, rules that genetically altered life forms are allowed to be patented in a 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling.
1982
The FDA approves of the first GMO drug product- human insulin
1994
The first GM food is approved in the United States. Flavr Savr, a genetically engineered tomato that had a delayed-ripening which allowed for a longer shelf life, was brought into stores and was in high demand. However, this product was expensive to make so the product was never profitable, and in 1998, when sales of the product declined, stores stopped selling the product.
1996
GM resistant weeds are discovered in Australia. These super weeds are resistant to glyphosate, a herbicide used in a wide variety of crops.
1997
European Union makes the labeling of GM food mandatory for products that contain GMO and products derived from GMO. These strict laws have consequently gotten rid of GM food throughout the European Union.
1998
Studies made by Arpad Pusztai show that rats which ate GM potatoes were subject to organ damage and compromised immune systems. His concerns are broadcast on television; shortly after the program ran, he was suspended and forced to retire.
1999
GM crops are starting to be used worldwide; a majority of crops being planted are now genetically modified, and the number of crops will continue to grow.
European Union makes the labeling of GM food mandatory for products that contain GMO and products derived from GMO. These strict laws have consequently gotten rid of GM food throughout the European Union.
1998
Studies made by Arpad Pusztai show that rats which ate GM potatoes were subject to organ damage and compromised immune systems. His concerns are broadcast on television; shortly after the program ran, he was suspended and forced to retire.
1999
GM crops are starting to be used worldwide; a majority of crops being planted are now genetically modified, and the number of crops will continue to grow.
2003
Certain insects are discovered to be resistant to GM crops. Caterpillars immune to Bt-toxin, a toxin which destroys an insect’s digestive system after being consumed, are found in the southern United States. The Bt-toxin punches holes in the insect's stomach, almost like a bomb, which consequently will kill the insect within a couple days after being consumed. Adaption in these insects occurred in less than a decade.
2011
Studies show that Bt-toxin is found in the blood of humans. Pregnant women with the Bt-toxin in their circulatory system are passing on the toxin to their fetuses. Also, reproductive toxicity is being caused by this toxin killing human embryos. These studies bring back the public’s fear about GM food and make people more aware of them.
2012
French farmer Paul Francois sues Monsanto, an American biotech company, after suffering from neurological problems after inhaling the company’s weed killer. Courts rule in favour of Francois, which helps set up standards for future cases.
Certain insects are discovered to be resistant to GM crops. Caterpillars immune to Bt-toxin, a toxin which destroys an insect’s digestive system after being consumed, are found in the southern United States. The Bt-toxin punches holes in the insect's stomach, almost like a bomb, which consequently will kill the insect within a couple days after being consumed. Adaption in these insects occurred in less than a decade.
2011
Studies show that Bt-toxin is found in the blood of humans. Pregnant women with the Bt-toxin in their circulatory system are passing on the toxin to their fetuses. Also, reproductive toxicity is being caused by this toxin killing human embryos. These studies bring back the public’s fear about GM food and make people more aware of them.
2012
French farmer Paul Francois sues Monsanto, an American biotech company, after suffering from neurological problems after inhaling the company’s weed killer. Courts rule in favour of Francois, which helps set up standards for future cases.
“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”
― ALBERT EINSTEIN
January 2014
Surveys are being done throughout North America on GMO food labels. There is a consistent majority, 80 to 95 percent of people, want GMO food to have labels on them. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn not supporting the public's request. About 70 percent of processed foods contain GE ingredients. People in the United States have started protesting lenient GMO labelling laws. The company Cheerios changes its recipe so it will no longer include genetically modified ingredients.
February 2014
California state considers a new bill to label genetically engineered foods among many other states. This bill would allow Californians to make better choices and be more aware of GMO food that could be hazardous to their health.
Surveys are being done throughout North America on GMO food labels. There is a consistent majority, 80 to 95 percent of people, want GMO food to have labels on them. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn not supporting the public's request. About 70 percent of processed foods contain GE ingredients. People in the United States have started protesting lenient GMO labelling laws. The company Cheerios changes its recipe so it will no longer include genetically modified ingredients.
February 2014
California state considers a new bill to label genetically engineered foods among many other states. This bill would allow Californians to make better choices and be more aware of GMO food that could be hazardous to their health.
March 2014
As the production of genetically modified crops increases, a higher number of occurrences of low level GMOs are being found in globally traded food. Consequently, there has been many trade disruptions between countries as crops are being blocked by importing countries. In a newly created survey, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) country members answer questions about low levels of GM crops. A meeting in Rome discusses trade issues on low levels of GM crops.
April 2014
Vermont state passes the first bill in the United States on making labelling genetically modified foods mandatory.
As the production of genetically modified crops increases, a higher number of occurrences of low level GMOs are being found in globally traded food. Consequently, there has been many trade disruptions between countries as crops are being blocked by importing countries. In a newly created survey, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) country members answer questions about low levels of GM crops. A meeting in Rome discusses trade issues on low levels of GM crops.
April 2014
Vermont state passes the first bill in the United States on making labelling genetically modified foods mandatory.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
― CARL SAGAN
Plans for the Future:
Biotechnology and genomics are going to be the up and coming tools for new agricultural challenges. Future products are going to have principles that include the production of safe food, sustainable agriculture, renewable resources and energy and keeping the freedom of choice for consumers. Food crops will be bred so they have more antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals. Most developed countries do not consider GMOs to be safe and there are bans and restrictions on the production and sale of GMOs. In the United States, the government has approved of GMO foods but citizens are now taking matters into their own hands as Vermont becomes the first state to make labeling GMO foods the law; many other states support this and will be following Vermont in making stricter laws about GMOs in the near future.
Biotechnology and genomics are going to be the up and coming tools for new agricultural challenges. Future products are going to have principles that include the production of safe food, sustainable agriculture, renewable resources and energy and keeping the freedom of choice for consumers. Food crops will be bred so they have more antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals. Most developed countries do not consider GMOs to be safe and there are bans and restrictions on the production and sale of GMOs. In the United States, the government has approved of GMO foods but citizens are now taking matters into their own hands as Vermont becomes the first state to make labeling GMO foods the law; many other states support this and will be following Vermont in making stricter laws about GMOs in the near future.
For a video on more about GMOs today and in the future click here