April Hughes

Genetic Engineering in Hawaii

General Biology

April 24, 2006

 For many, Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and an

adventure spot for those seeking the beauty of nature, however,

in the last twenty years there have been another group of people

that have been interested in these beautiful island getaways. In

1988, scientists began using Hawaii as their laboratory for

genetically engineered crops. Since then “federal regulators have

approved more than 10,600 applications to grow experimental

biotech crops on 49,300 separate fields throughout the United

States; with more of these in Hawaii than any other state” (Elias,

Paul). Many experiments have allowed scientists to increase the

health, size, or shelf-life of many products, however, if any

negative effects will arise from these laboratory-engineered

products. Some native Hawaiians are thankful that scientists have

created ways to grow better crops, because they in turn have

been more productive, yet, many are “shocked that Hawaii has

become biotechnology’s chief laboratory, and are concerned

about their economic future” (Elias, Paul)”.

“Over 70% of our soybean, corn, cotton, and canola are

being genetically engineered, and many more genetically

engineered ingredients are on the way, including fish, lettuce,

pepper, melons, peas, rice, wheat, strawberries, raspberries,

pineapples, bananas, apples, and pigs” (GE Fee Hawaii). One

well-known example of genetically modified crops are Hawaii’s

papaya. In 1997 papaya crops were ravaged by the ringspot

virus, and many farmers welcomed scientists and companies that

claimed they had a cure. Coat proteins from the ringspot virus

were implanted into the papaya, making it resistant to the virus.

To the farmers, this procedure seemed much like vaccinations for

humans.

Papaya production has now increased dramatically, and

production of these genetically alters crops seem to be running

smoothly, yet organic growers of the crop are not as pleased. In

recent studies, “nearly 20,000 papaya seeds from across the Big

Island, 80% of which came from organic farms and the rest from

backyard gardens or wild trees, showed a contamination of 50%”

(Environmental News Services).

Coffee is a new crop that researcher and scientist hope to

be able to genetically engineer and produce for world-wide

consumption. These scientists say that they have created a

coffee bean that has 70% less caffeine. This crop, researchers

claim, will be “cheaper and retain all of the taste of regular

coffee” (Bhattacharya, Shaoni). In this process, RNA interference

is used to interact and destroy each other, and the effect is riding

the plant of almost all caffeine. These scientists know that it will

take a few more years to confirm their result, however, Hawaiians

are already preparing to fight against these companies who

intend to plant here. Kona coffee farmers are banding together

and petitioning the to keep their land genetic engineering-free.

They claim that their crops are healthy and they have one of the

finest coffee beans in the world, and they do not want their

reputation ruined by cross contamination with genetically

modified coffee beans.

Hawaii is known for being the Extinction Capital of the

World, and many native Hawaiians fear that genetic experiments

will tamper with their fragile ecosystems. Bioengineering also

creates less biodiversity, which an essential element of survival in

the wild. Because of the threat that has been placed on their land

and livelihoods, many citizens of Hawaii have formed coalitions

and organizations against the genetic engineering of crops. Many

Hawaiian farmers have also vowed to only produce organic and

engineering-free products.
 Even though these Hawaiian farmers only grow organic

crops, they are still greatly impacted by genetic engineering.

Crop contamination, in which genetically altered plants are cross

pollinated or accidentally mistaken for organic plants cause

organic farmers to unknowingly contaminate their crops. A loss of

market for farmers is also a real threat. Genetically altered plants

are less susceptible to disease and therefore can produce a larger

crop size, which many organic farmers cannot keep up with. One

of the biggest concerns Hawaiian farmers have towards

genetically engineering their crops, is the loss of independence

they will have over their own land and products. “By signing

Technology Use Agreements, farmers that choose to grow

genetically engineered crops are locked into buying certain kinds

of herbicides and pesticides and are forced to buy new seed each

year. They no longer own the crops they grow, they lease them

from multinational corporations” (GE Free Hawaii). In fact, many

farmers who are not growing genetically engineered crops are

still being controlled by large corporations. For instance, in 2002

farmers were told not to grow corn, sunflowers, or soybeans, so

as not to contaminated nearby genetically modified crops.

 There is no doubt that genetic engineering has saved many

crops for Hawaii, and has allowed them to greatly increase their

crop size and productivity, by altering them so that they are less

resistant to disease. However, many wonder if this productivity is

being gained at much to great a price. Will there be repercussions

from the experiments of overly optimistic scientists? Only time

will tell.
 Works Cited

Bhattacharya, Shaoni. June 18, 2003. Genetic Engineers

Decaffeinate Coffee. Retrieved April 1, 2006 from

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3851

Elias, Paul. January 15, 2006. Hawaii Serves as World’s Biotech

Lab. Retrieved January 17, 2006 from

http://www.msnbc.msn.com.id/10841731/

Environmental New Services. September 10, 2004. Genetic Traits

Spread to Non Engineered Papayas in Hawaii.

Retrieved April 1, 2006 from http://www.ens-

newswire.com/ens/sep2004/2004-09-10-04.asp

GMO Free Hawaii. What Effect Will Genetic Engineering Have on

Hawaii’s Environment. Retrieved April 6, 2006 from

http://www.higean.org/what-effect-hawaii-enviro.htm

Hi Gean. 2002. Focus of Coffee. Retrieved April 6, 2006

http://www.higean.org/hawaii/coffee.htm
Works Cited