On Heirlooms
Written by Ella Larson
The term “Genetically Modified Organism” has become a buzzword in the past decade, similar to “organic”.
The little butterfly certifying a product as “Non-GMO Product Verified” has become familiar to most. Many concerns surrounding GM (genetically modified) crop consumption are founded in fear, but there are valid reasons for skepticism about GM crop production. Common fears are that GMOs can cause cancer or alter human DNA, both of which have been extensively debunked. GM crops undergo rigorous testing and regulation and are generally only implemented when they have the potential to change the agricultural industry for the better. However, many people may also be unaware of the dangers GM crops could pose to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. Let’s talk science about GMOs versus heirloom varieties.
Starting with the positives: GM crops have revolutionized commercial agriculture’s ability to feed the masses. Engineered traits such as pest resistance and larger yields have been convenient and incredibly useful in crop production in the United States. They are also generally designed to be hardy, and their yield sizes are predictable. Despite these positives, the use of GM crops also presents serious challenges- corporatization, pesticide resistant insect selection, coinciding harmful agricultural practices, and potential threat to biodiversity, to name a few.
GM crops are patented by large companies, and their usage and sales are tightly regulated, generally to prioritize profit. This limits the potential of GM crops as a tool for large scale global food production. Another common trait of GM crops is pest resistance. This appears to be a good thing at first glance, but over generations of exposure to these genetically modified crops, insects evolve to be more resistant not only to GM crops, but also other commercial pesticides, ultimately resulting in increased spraying. GM crops are often cultivated on farms that use practices such as monocropping (only planting one crop, leaving it susceptible to disease and other threats) and harmful fertilizer and pesticide use, which cause environmental problems due to non-sustainable practice, but these issues are not directly caused by GMO usage.
Biodiversity conservation is a top concern for genetically modified crops, as they have a less diverse genetic code than heirloom or hybrid varieties. Biodiversity is often cited as one of the most important focuses for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Loss of insect biodiversity poses one of the largest threats to global agriculture in the future. Ultimately, global biodiversity levels rely on plant biodiversity. This highlights the importance of efforts to conserve genetic biodiversity in crops, even as we use genetic modification to achieve higher yields and larger produce size.
One of the greatest ways to preserve crop biodiversity is through heirloom species. These varieties are historically cultivated, regional crop varieties. Though they are not as pest resistant as GM crops and have individual flaws, there are many more available varieties, which allows for a collective resilience to environmental and pest-related pressures. By cultivating a wide variety of heirloom species in small scale gardens and promoting the use of intercropping (planting more than one species of plant) on commercial farms, we can preserve biodiversity and increase our resilience to climate change.
GM crops are not the all-evil or all-good force that many believe them to be. They can be a powerful agricultural tool, but must be used with consideration given to sustainable farming practices, potential to breed resistant pests, and preservation of genetic biodiversity. Heirloom varieties have different pros and cons, with similar considerations on the opposite side of the coin. As we look to a future with a larger world population than ever, we must consider how these varieties can be utilized together to prioritize food sovereignty and ending hunger!