The Pros and Cons of GMO Production
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The Pros and Cons of GMO Production

Photo by:   Sangharsh Lohakare - Unsplash
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Eliza Galeana By Eliza Galeana | Junior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Fri, 12/16/2022 - 13:07

One of the main arguments from supporters of President López Obrador’s proposed GMO corn ban has been the potential risks for human consumption, but to date, there is not enough evidence to either ensure or rule out the safety of GMOs. However, there are risks associated with the use of glyphosate and the predominance of monocultures, both linked to the production of GMO crops.

GMOs are organisms whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering. In the context of agriculture, GMOs are used so that crops present improved characteristics compared to their conventional counterparts. These include resistance to external factors such as insects or plagues, as well as a higher tolerance to droughts or extreme temperatures. In this regard, the use of transgenic crops allows farmers to increase their yields using less land, less water and fewer pesticides.

Megan Norris, Biomedical Researcher, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, explained the advantages of GMOs using the example of BT-corn, a genetically modified version of yellow corn that was augmented with a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring soil bacteria. This gene allows corn to produce a protein that selectively kills caterpillars that affect plant growth. "These crops come with an innate pesticide," Norris said in an INSIDER interview.

GMO crops can also make fruit and vegetables look more appealing to the human eye, and some studies suggest that they may have a higher nutritional value. In 2009, researchers from the University of Lleida, Spain reported they genetically engineered a type of corn that provided twice the normal amount of folate, 6 times more vitamin C and 169 times more beta-carotene than traditional crops. These crops could help improve the nutritional deficiencies of people living in poor regions with no access to a wide variety of food. However, another study from 2008 compared transgenic wheat, corn and tomato to a non-transgenic control with a similar genetic background and concluded that both were nutritionally similar. 

One of the main arguments against the use of GMOs has been the potential health risks for human consumption such as allergies or antibiotic resistance. In 2000, an American woman suffered an allergic reaction from eating tacos, the cause apparently being GMO corn in the meal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not find a direct link between GMO corn and allergic reactions. Nevertheless, this event spurred a public discussion about the health risks of GMO foods.

Even though there is insufficient proof of health risks being directly attributed to GMOs, the use of agrochemicals such as glyphosate, which is linked with the production of GMO crops such as corn, soy or cotton, is well-known to be dangerous for people. In 2019, the US Department of Health concluded from a toxicological profile of glyphosate, that exposure to this substance is linked to different types of cancer, developmental delays, intestinal diseases as well as liver and kidney damage. Similarly, in 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the use of this herbicide puts animal and plant species as well as their habitats at risk. 

Another common criticism against the use of GMOs points to the cross-contamination of ancient seed varieties. Some scientists believe that when GMO corn and native corn are grown close by, chromosome overcrossing may occur between them due to wind pollination. As a consequence, native varieties of corn will mutate, risking potential production problems in the future. 

Moreover, the displacement of native varieties due to a predilection for GMOs jeopardizes biodiversity in the countryside. Along with GMOs and agrochemicals, the green revolution brought along the monoculture production model, which research has shown to have several environmental consequences including soil erosion, a decline in biodiversity, the death of pollinators, as well as a higher risk of plagues and diseases, among other problems. 

GMOs offer obvious advantages for the agribusiness sector. However, potential risks for human health and ecosystems are tangible, too. To make an objective analysis of the positive and negative implications of GMOs, all factors surrounding this system need to be taken into account. 

Recently, the Mexican government proposed to extend the deadline for the ban on GMO yellow corn until 2025. Along with this proposal, President López Obrador suggested that Mexico and the US conduct joint investigations regarding the potential health risks of GMOs. "The president suggested developing a joint analysis. In this scenario, COFEPRIS and the FDA will be working together to solve the issues on the table,” said Raquel Buenrostro, Minister of Economy. 

Photo by:   Sangharsh Lohakare - Unsplash

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