Understanding the Difference Between Non GMO Soybeans and GMO Soybeans

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) soybeans are genetically modified foods. GMO soybeans are different from plants that are crossbred for desirable traits. Rather, GMO soybeans have been altered by transplanting desired genes from one plant to another. GMO soybeans help increase crop yields, but the possible harmful effects of genetically modified foods has many people demanding non GMO soybeans instead.

Plusses to GMO Soybeans

GMO soybeans make it possible for farmers to plant hardier plants that are more resistant to disease and other environmental factors. Non GMO soybeans, such as the Roundup Ready soybean, cannot be exposed to chemical pesticides or treated during storage. Genetically modified soybeans, on the other hand, can be created in such a way that they can be treated if necessary.

Since traits are simply transplanted from one breed to the other when creating genetically modified foods, producing soybeans with desirable traits is much quicker through genetic engineering than it is through crossbreeding. In addition, GMO soybeans help increase profits for farmers while helping them meet the growing demand for food. Despite the positive aspects of genetically modified foods, many people are concerned about the possible negative side effects and want to only deal with non GMO soybeans and other foods.

Drawbacks to GMO Soybeans

Creating genetically engineered foods is quite costly to research and to develop. In addition, the development of genetically modified foods can make it easy for one company to monopolize the market.

The possible negative side effects of genetically modified foods, however, are the primary reasons so many people prefer non GMO soybeans. Many fear that the science of creating genetically engineered foods is not advanced enough to determine whether these foods are safe.

Unfortunately, maintaining the purity of non GMO soybeans is difficult because GMO soybeans have the ability to crossbreed with these plants during the growing season. This has added another concern regarding genetically modified foods – the Terminator gene. This gene has been purposely placed in genetically engineered foods in order to cause GMO seeds to sterilize seeds produced by the plant. In this way, the technology of the companies who produced the seeds is preserved. Unfortunately, this terminator gene can crossbreed with non GMO soybeans and other plants to sterilize these plants, as well. Many fear that this could lead to increased world hunger as plants fail to reproduce.

Market Trends

Concerns about genetically engineered foods have caused the market demand for non GMO soybeans to rise. Japan and Europe have been particularly vocal about their concerns regarding genetically modified foods. As a result, nearly 14 million acres of non GMO soybeans were grown last year in the United States.

With the continual demand for non GMO soybeans and other foods, it is likely that farmers will begin focusing more on these crops, but the added expense of growing these plants will likely be passed on to the consumer.