It is often argued by proponents of GM that it is only acontinuation of what has been historically been done. Scientistshave altered foods by inserting into them genes from bacteria andviruses. Many more such products containing DNA from insects, fishand even humans are being researched and soon will be headed for ourdinner plates. Foods altered through genetic engineering oftencontain proteins and other components that have never before beenpart of the human diet. The process of putting alien genes intoplants and animals to favour certain traits or to confer resistanceis at best an inexact science with unpredictable results.
Genes don'tnecessarily control a single trait.
A gene may control severaldifferent traits in a plant. Without careful study, plants withundesirable characteristics may be released into the globalecosystem. One of the excuses for this head long rush into geneticengineering is the claim that it will enable us to feed the world. However, neither Monsanto nor any of the other genetic engineeringcompanies appears to be developing genetically engineered crops thatmight solve global food shortages. Quite the opposite.