Similarly, studies have shown a new disease-resistant GMO potato could reduce fungicide use by up to 90 percent. And that means GMO crops are healthier not only for the farmer, but the consumer. Since growing pest-resistant Bt eggplant, however, they’ve been able to greatly reduce their pesticide applications. We have seen this in Bangladesh, where farmers would spray their traditional eggplant crops with pesticides right up until the time of harvest - which meant farmers were getting a lot of pesticide exposure and consumers were getting a lot of pesticide residue. Insect-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) crops actually reduce or eliminate the need for pesticide applications, which further improves their healthfulness and safety. In general, though, the process of engineering crops to contain a certain trait, such as pest-resistance or drought-tolerance, does nothing to affect the nutrient quality of food. Other GMO foods, such as vitamin A-enriched Golden Rice, has been fortified with vitamins and minerals to create healthier staple foods and help prevent malnutrition. GM corn has cut levels of naturally-occurring mycotoxin- a toxin that causes both health problems and economic losses - by a third. Imagine peanuts that can be genetically engineered to reduce levels of aflatoxin, and gluten-free wheat, which would give those with celiac disease a healthy and tasty bread option. SE:From a health perspective, GMO food is no different than non-GMO food. Is GMO really less healthy than non-GMO food? Why or why not? And yet, despite these drawbacks, we haven’t seen increased yield potential of GM crops, although that has always been one of the promises of GM seeds.įortunately, there are innovative alternatives to the issue of food insecurity that are not dependent on using GM crops. This ultimately leads to an increase in the use of pesticides and further disrupts ecosystems. These chemicals not only contaminate our food and water supplies, but they also compromise soil quality and are actually associated with increased disease susceptibility in crops. Genetically modified (GM) crops are associated with an increased use of chemicals, like glyphosate, that are toxic to the environment and to humans. David Perlmutter: Genetic modification of agricultural seeds isn’t in the interest of the planet or its inhabitants. For farmers, access to GMOs is a matter of social and environmental justice.ĭr. I support GMO food because I’ve seen first-hand how it can improve people’s lives.
I know many of the scientists who are using genetic engineering to breed improved crops, and I’ve witnessed their dedication to making the world a better place. By growing crops that can tolerate herbicide applications, the children are freed up to attend school and the women have time to earn income to help support their families. In developing nations, much of the weeding is done by women and children. We have seen, time and again, that farmers who grow GMO crops in Africa, and South and East Asia earn extra money that helps them do things we Westerners take for granted - like send their children to school and buy a propane stove so they no longer have to cook over fires fueled by cow dung. Genetic engineering is a tool that can help us breed crops that resist drought, diseases, and insect pests, which means farmers achieve higher yields from the crops they grow to feed their families and generate extra income. They can also lessen the environmental impact of agriculture in general. I support GMO food because I’m convinced that GMO crops can help reduce poverty and hunger among smallholder farmers in developing nations. I eat GMO foods, as do my three young children, because I’m confident in the safety of these products. In that respect, my stance mirrors the position taken by the National Academies of Sciences and the majority of the world’s scientific community. Sarah Evanega:Genetically modified organism (GMO) food is safe. Here’s what they had to say: What’s your stance on GMO food?ĭr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist, weigh in from opposing sides. Sarah Evanega, a plant biologist, and Dr. With studies supporting both sides, many wonder: Who should we believe? To give a clearer sense of the issues and arguments that surround GMOs, Dr. Individuals from the scientific and medical fields fall on both sides of the argument, some claiming that genetically modified crops are helping to solve issues concerning hunger, environmental sustainability and an increasing global population, while others believe they’re doing more harm than good. The issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as they relate to the food supply is an ongoing, nuanced and highly contentious issue.
0 kommentar(er)
