by Amy Szkorla
Genetically Modified Organisms have become increasingly relevant in recent years, whether that be in a positive or negative light. In an age when "natural" is synonymous with "better," GMOs are consistently used as a scapegoat for a host of agricultural and food ills. Most people report fears over potential unknown long-term effects, however, genetically modified organisms and those like it have been an integral part of our agricultural system for years.
The term itself is somewhat non-descript, even the process of manually selecting the most promising crops to cultivate is technically a version of genetic modification. Evidence suggests that as early as 7,800 BCE, people were using artificially selected crops. (Rangel) The first GMO to hit the market that evolved from the process we typically associate with genetic modification, gene editing, was the Calgene Flavr Savr tomato in 1992. Since then, scientists have conducted thousands of studies assessing the safety of GMOs.
The bulk of these studies reached the
same conclusion: that GMOs pose virtually no threat to human health. Not only is there a wide-sweeping consensus regarding their safety, but there is also a myriad of benefits to their use. GMOs address both issues of sustainability and food insecurity. Their use minimizes soil erosion, in turn decreasing the need for deforestation. They also preserve farmland, as many GMOs are both herbicide and insect resistant, which greatly increases crop yield. (and also means you find less waxy coatings and pesticides on your fruit and vegetables!)
For example, herbicide-resistant soybean and corn production in the U.S. This innovation allowed for the control of weeds without the need for the traditional method of tilling. In 2015 alone, this decrease in tractor-related emissions removed the equivalent of 12 million cars from the roads.
It's important that we spread scientifically informed and positive information about GMOs. If consumers were to rally behind these technological advances in food production the same way they do in the case of medical technology, we could do some incredible good for ourselves and the planet!
Rangel, Gabriel. “From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology.” Science in the News, 23 Oct. 2016, sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/from-corgis-to-corn-a-brief-look-at-the-long-history-of-gmo-technology/.
“Searching for the Same Solution.” ModernAg, ModernAg, 18 Oct. 2018, modernag.org/innovation/gmo-solutions-benefit-environment/.
“Will GMOs Hurt My Body? The Public's Concerns and How Scientists Have Addressed Them.” Science in the News, 19 Jan. 2017, sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/will-gmos-hurt-my-body/.