Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain a highly debated topic today because of the ambiguous answer science provides researchers with. What truly are the benefits and risks of using such a product? Despite continuous advancements and increasing amounts of data gathered, a precise conclusion remains unknown.
Scientific studies lead researchers to lean in favor of GMOs, but dangerous risks should continue to be monitored. Concerns include the safety of consumers, the development of herbicide-tolerant crops, and speculation about whether there are superior methods. Although these should be taken into serious consideration, GMOs’ benefits may actually outweigh the risks. Benefits include a significant increase in agricultural productivity, evidence on the safety of biotechnology, and a reduction in the use of herbicides and pesticides. The advantages of using this product are extensive, so completely removing it (as some debaters contend) is completely the wrong idea.
GMO use has become more and more popular over time. Six of the top-selling drugs in the United States are based on GMO technology. This includes insulin for diabetics. Ninety percent of cheeses made today are also based on the GMO rennet. The production of virus-resistant papaya has even saved the Hawaiian papaya industry. Other developments include drought-resistant corn, virus-resistant squash, added consumer traits like a non-browning apple, a low acrylamide potato, and crops that produce oils improved for nutrition. Everyday products are being manufactured with GMOs because people realize the real benefit of using them. If it did not actually work, why would millions of people from various countries invest billions of dollars on the technology?
The technology’s greatest achievement so far is how it allows farmers to produce a lot more food in an efficient manner. It has increased yields by 22% and increased farmer profits by 68%. This is especially important in developing countries where hunger is a real issue. Out of the 18 million farmers who have adopted the technology globally, 16.5 million are from developing countries. Some of the GM staple crops are essential to these poverty-stricken people. The significant increase in production also partially aids in solving the problem of a human population that continues to grow exponentially. This crisis of starvation due to overpopulation is expanding throughout the world. The production itself is not an answer to the problem of world hunger; however, giving farmers the right tools will benefit them and our society even if only in a minuscule way.
Another beneficial use of GMOs is the reduction in the use of herbicides and pesticides when planting GM crops. Chemical pesticide use has decreased by 37% and herbicide-tolerant crops are able to survive while surrounding weeds are destroyed. This reduces the toxicity humans consume through herbicides and pesticides. Farmers can also use more environment-friendly chemicals, which means erosion is reduced. Less energy is needed to produce these crops, so greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as well. This proves that GMOs may offset environmental problems in addition to its other benefits.
While the advantages of GMOs have shown benefits in various settings, it is imperative to recognize potential negative impacts on society as well. The greatest worry people have about GM food is the potential health concerns. These concerns about toxicity and the passing of genetic mutations created by GMOs across generations are already being combated by increasing records of its safety. The National Institute of Toxicological Research in Seoul, South Korea performed an experiment on male and female rats to test if GMO potatoes would have an impact on the rat’s health. Two groups were created: one with rats that would feed on non-GMO potatoes and one that would feed on GMO potatoes. After consumption, an examination of the reproductive organs, liver, kidney, and spleen, resulted in no differences between the two groups. Similarly, another experiment tracked rats’ health over generations. Again, no differences appeared between the two groups. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U.S. National Academy of Science, the British Royal Society, and every major regulatory agency in the world have stated that crop improvement by modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe. Clearly, a consensus has been reached. Although monitoring the safety of GMOs has to continue, major health concerns can be put to rest.
Another great concern is for the unpredictable future of GMO crops. As we continue to use it, herbicide-tolerant crops are beginning to pose a threat to our future. Over time, antibacterial resistance continues to increase among plants and animals, but despite this, we know that it is an inevitable end. Soon new technologies will have to be developed to combat this just like any other development humans create. Therefore, just because there now is an increase in weed and insect resistance, it does not mean that we should stop the development of GMOs.
Some debaters often believe that traditional breeding should remain the leading technology to increase agricultural production as humans have used the method for centuries. It has historically increased crop yields by 1-2% over decades and although this seems like a steady growth rate, it has come to a point where it is simply just not enough. The human population is increasing at an extremely fast rate, and farmers need a solution to increase production- GMOs.
The benefits of using GMO crops are continuously being proven as technology advances. Although it may be replaced by a more suitable counterpart sometime in the future, its development has certainly had a positive impact on the society of today. Therefore, humans should try to remove the problems within GMOs while retaining its numerous benefits. The human race must learn to continuously adapt and advance technologies such as GMOs to remain fierce competitors in a race to survive.
Works Cited
"Genetically Modify Food." Intelligence Squared US, 3 Dec. 2014, www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/genetically-modify-food.
Norero, Daniel "GMO crops have been increasing yield for 20 years, with more progress ahead." Cornell Alliance for Science, 23 Feb. 2018,
Norris, Megan L. "Will GMOs Hurt My Body? The Public's Concerns and How Scientists Have Addressed Them." Science in the News (Harvard University), 10 Aug. 2015, sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/will-gmos-hurt-my-body/.
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