RE: The Scaremongering, the Sensationalism, and the Demonization of GMOs: A Technology Under Attack!!

Two feature articles that opposed the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to Ghana/Africa were published on modernGhana web site about three weeks ago. The first was entitled “Why is Kofi Annan Fronting for Monsanto? The GMO Assault on Africa” and the second was entitled “Why Ghanaians should stay away from GM Foods: Dr. Kwame Osei”. First of all, I would like to congratulate the authors on their articles. However, it is important to rebut some of the sensationalisms, scaremongering, and the misleading arguments that were prated in those articles. Interestingly, one of the articles was based entirely on what Prince Charles said or did not say. Since when has Prince Charles become a repository of knowledge on GMOs? I would also like to implore them and others to be circumspect in their attempt to demonize anything GMO. It is important for those of us in this debate to be cautious in how we frame our arguments. Because whatever we write or say today in an attempt to oppose GMOs will ultimately shape the future of biotechnology/genetic engineering in Ghana.
It is sad to read some of the personal conjectures and half-truths that were churned out in those and related articles. Technology is said to contain “messy, complex, and problem-solving components” (Hughes). Unfortunately, the messy and complex components get all the attention and become the fan that stokes the flame of resistance to acceptability. However, the problem-solving components, the engines for societal development, normally get drowned in a cacophony of misleading scientific interpretations. Why do we crave development as a country or continent but vehemently resist the very thing (technology) that makes others develop? “To quarrel with technology is to quarrel with the nature of man” (Bronowski). Technology always precedes development, but to be afraid of change is synonymous to accepting the status quo! Let us remember that “beavers build dams, and chimps use sticks but no animal comes close to humans in our abilities to extend our natural environment through technology” (Keel). The ability to, biologically, extend our natural environments should not see this level of demonization. Ironically, we are enjoying the benefits of biotechnology/genetic engineering in our daily lives.
Biotechnology/genetic engineering has the potential to provide answers to our 21st century problems in the fields of agriculture, energy, medicine as well as the textile, automobile, and pharmaceutical industries. We can’t continue to use subsistence farming practices on a fixed asset- land, and expect to produce enough food for an ever increasing population size. I consider the kind of farming my parents engaged in as a ‘way of life’ and not an enterprise that could ever dig out the farmer from a ditch of poverty. Those days are over! To suggest that the green revolution has a devastating effect on agriculture is being disingenuous. I am not sure whether the authors are against the technology of genetic engineering or against Monsanto’s patents over some of their products. We should be cautious not to throw away the baby with the bathwater. Monsanto’s sole propriety over some of their crops is a valid concern. But to argue as if Monsanto has a monopoly over all GMOs is rather disingenuous to say the least. To also portray as though GMOs are synonymous to only seed production is also a misleading argument. Demonizing GMOs and resorting to this level of fear mongering does not auger well for a society such as ours, with a limited access to information.
Instead of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, we should rather accept the fact that GMOs are the future of mankind. Better still, the principles of the technology should be accepted and used by our capable Ghanaian scientists to produce GMOs that suit our specific needs. In this article, I will not dabble in speculative conjectures, be a tool for anti-corporate activism or become a part of conspiracy theorists. I intend to highlight how GMOs have permeated our daily food choices. I have listed a few important crops that have been genetically modified for different purposes, which are currently in our markets.
Soybeans: About 98% of soybeans produced in Argentina, 64% in Brazil, and 59% worldwide were genetically modified. In 2009, 86% of soybeans produced and consumed in the US were genetically modified. Soybeans are a part of several food products worldwide. Given that soy lecithin- a product of genetically modified soybeans- is used as an emulsifier in most processed foods, the level of GMO consumption is far more than we can even imagine. For instance, lecithin is used as emulsifier in chocolate, ice cream, margarine and baked foods. Who hasn’t eaten one or more of these foods?
Does the Prince eat chocolate and ice cream?
Canola: Why is canola oil promoted as one of the healthiest cooking oils in the market if GMOs are meant to kill us? Well, if you care to know, canola is genetically modified rapeseeds. In order to remove two chemical compounds (erucic acid and gluconsinolate), rapeseed was genetically modified and now referred to as canola. These undesirable organic compounds, hitherto, rendered rapeseed oil inedible. But today, canola oil is touted as one of the best cooking oils. Canola oil is also used for margarine production. Another important product from canola is an emulsifier, used in foods like ice cream, chocolate, margarine, and dressings. Vitamin E and substances that can help lower cholesterol levels are obtained from genetically modified rapeseeds. Why do we gladly consume everything canola but condemn GMOs?
Does the Prince eat any type of baked food?
Maize: Maize, rice, and wheat are the world’s most important crops. Currently, 80% of the maize produced in the US is genetically modified. Have we (Ghanaians/Africans) ever received food aids that include maize products, soybean products, and cooking oil from the Western world? Have we ever imported beef, chicken, pork, and turkey from the US? Without GMOs, US and Europe cannot have enough feed to keep up with their meat production. It therefore beats my wildest imagination to have folks making comments such as; “GM Food is extremely dangerous because what the West and their scientists are not telling Afrikans is that GM foods contain poisonous organisms that are dangerous to the body's immune system as they are made with a cross-breed of different species rather than made the organic and natural way”? Such sensational comments without facts are rather poisonous and dangerous to scientific breakthroughs and technological advancement we so yearn for in Africa.




Potatoes: Apart from its food products, potatoes are mainly cultivated for starch production. Potatoes have been genetically modified to produce the more desirable water soluble starch; amylopectin, which is one of the two organic compounds that make up starch. Starch is also produced from genetically modified maize. There are countless foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products that contain starch from genetically modified crops. The macaroni we all demand from the ‘wakye seller” comes from starch. Have we realized that the paracetamol, aspirin, tylenol and other tablets we hurriedly grab as pain-killers and other medications have starch components in them? Would it be surprised to learn that even iodized salts have genetically modified crop component?
Does the Prince eat iodized salts?
Well, starch from genetically modified crops is used as a complexing agent in the preparation of iodized salts. I am trying to point out to my colleagues and readers how GMOs have been used in almost everything consumables on the shelves. Probably not a single day passes by without the individuals consuming GMOs in one form or the other. Why wouldn’t the authors rather campaign against the use of iodized salts in Ghana, since it has a component that comes from genetically modified potatoes, corn or wheat? Or possibly campaign against the ‘wakye seller’ to stop adding macaroni to her ‘wakye’ because the macaroni comes from genetically modified starch? I think this last one will be the best campaign against GMOs; tell my 84-year mother in the village to stop taking pain-killers against her headaches or backaches.
It is always about “we don’t know the health, environmental, ecological consequences of GMOs”. We have been using GMOs in one form or the other for over 20 years now. We need to stop this scare tactics, fear mongering, sensationalism, and anti-corporate activism. Technology is not only about physical sciences. It is not only about the latest iPads, iPhones, computers, camaros, and architectural designs. It is also about biological sciences. And Africa has always been left behind, technologically and a penchant for resisting change shouldn’t be an added impediment to other factors that drag us behind in technological advancement. While others are pushing the limits of genetic engineering to the extent of modifying salmon for early maturity, which is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US for approval, we are advocating for the use 16th century farming methods to feed the 21st century population size.
If the two authors and their sympathizers didn’t know about some of the food products that contain GMOs, then I dare them to stop eating or using the following;
Bread, Biscuits, and Baked foods- they contain starch, flour, and baking powder that come from GMOs
Canola oil- It comes from genetically modified rapeseeds
Chocolate- It contains an emulsifier, produced from genetically modified potatoes and canola
Ice cream- It contains emulsifiers from genetically modified crops
Margarine- It comes from canola and other GMOs
Dressings, Mayonnaise, and Soy Sauce- They have been produced from GMOs
Corn Syrup and Glucose- They are GMO tainted
Pasta/Macaroni- Made from genetically modified starch-producing crops
Tablets- Contain starch from genetically modified potatoes and corn
Iodized salts- Contains starch as a complexant from GMOs
Cheese, Milk, and Eggs- They have genetically modified components.
Beer, Wine, Juice, and Soft Drinks- They are all GMO tainted
Vitamins, Flavors, glutamate- They are GMO tainted
The list can continue until it is obvious that GMOs have come to stay. Apparently, there is no ‘natural’ in “All Natural” labeled processed foods we have on the shelves today. Folks, the earlier we accept GMOs and biotechnology/genetic engineering the better our chances of rubbing shoulders with others.

Author: Benjamin S. Bey (Ph.D Candidate)
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
beyb@mailbox.sc.edu
(Formerly of Tuskegee University Biotechnology Lab in Alabama)