The GMO Controversy
- At October 5, 2015
- By Wes
- In Nutrition
1
Genetic modification of plants has been practiced by farmers for many centuries, crossbreeding different varieties to achieve a more robust variety, that in turn is more drought, disease, weed and pest resistant as a result. The acronym GMO stands for genetically modified organism, but is also used to define any plant that has been genetically modified. GMOs are currently one of the more controversial food related subjects, but the science is rather clear-cut on the issue.
There is currently more than 430 million acres of GMO crops globally. Though the practice of gene manipulation through crossbreeding has been utilized for over a thousand years, actual lab created varieties were first successfully produced in the early 1980s. These became available commercially to U.S. farmers in 1996, and are in widespread use today. In 2014 the periodical “Popular Science” interviewed numerous scientists pertaining to some of the more common myths that have been circulated by various interest groups, and their results were quite enlightening. Here are a few of those myths the scientists addressed.
- GMOs are too new for us to know if they are dangerous.
To date, over 1700 peer-reviewed safety studies have been published including 5 lengthy reports by the National Research Council that focused on human health and the environment. The scientific consensus is existing GMOs are no more or less risky than conventional crops.
- GMOs cause allergies, cancer, and other health problems.
Theoretically, it is possible for a new gene to express (produce) a protein that provokes an immune response. A frequently cited 2012 study from the University of Caen claimed that one of Monsanto’s corn GMOs caused tumors in lab rats. The published study was widely discredited for faulty test methods, and the publishing journal retracted it in 2013. More recently, the University of Perugia in Italy released a review of 770 studies examining the health impact of GMOs on humans and animals. They found no evidence that the foods are dangerous.
- GMOs are not necessary to feed the world’s population.
GMOs may not completely solve the world’s food adequacy problem, but the increase in population will require an increase in crop production. Pedro Sanchez, director of the Agriculture and FoodSecurityCenter at ColumbiaUniversity’s Earth Institute states “GMOs is just one more tool to make sure the world is food secure when we add 2 billion more people by 2050. It is not the only answer, and it is not essential, but it is certainly one good thing in our arsenal”.
- All research on GMOs has been funded by Big Ag.
This is simply not true. Over the past decade hundreds of independent researchers have published peer-reviewed safety studies. At least a dozen medical and scientific groups worldwide, including the World Health Organization and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, have stated that the GMOs currently approved for market are safe.
One should always question and research any new finding pertaining to health. Seek out the author’s background or a study’s funding source, and make your best judgement based on facts.
Thank You to Our TELOS Twelve Years in White Sponsors
- At October 5, 2015
- By Avri
- In Uncategorized
- 0
We’d like to thank our amazing sponsors for making our TELOS Twelve Years in White possible. We love to celebrate Redefining the Fitness Experience with our TELOS family and local businesses. Click on the names below for more information.
