Can GMO production and utilization have detrimental effects on the environment?
Modern agriculture on its own, whether or not GMOs are involved, has profound impacts on all environmental resources, including negative impacts on biodiversity.
Since the commercialization of the first GM crops a decade ago, scientists have conducted extensive research on the risks that GM crops can possibly pose to the environment. In 2006, a group of researchers from Switzerland reviewed the scientific knowledge available so far and concluded that “the data available so far provide no scientific evidence that the commercial cultivation of GE crops has caused environmental harm.”
We must nonetheless be reminded that a number of issues can affect how scientific data is interpreted. Any exotic organism, GM or not, has the potential to cause detrimental effects on the environment, if it has not undergone any safety assessment prior to release. The GMAC Guidelines have thus been put in place to ensure that scientific and thorough assessment is undertaken before any GMOs is released into our environment.
Has there been any serious illness or death resulting from eating foods derived from GMOs?
Since the commercialization of the first GM crop nearly two decade ago, there has been no known report of hazards resulting from the consumption of foods derived from such crops.
Are there other unpredictable risks from GMOs resulting from our inadequate understanding of genetic modification?
There have been many studies conducted in determining potential negative effects of genetically modified organisms/foods.
To give two examples:
The first study claimed that pollen from pest-resistant Bt corn could kill the larvae of Monarch butterfly.
In the second study, the researchers claimed that autoimmune suppression was observed in rats fed with genetically modified potatoes.
It was found that the two studies cited above were carried out under conditions that do not reflect the actual situation in the field. Peer reviews of these studies have highlighted several flaws in the experiment designs and results analysis.
GMAC fully appreciates that genetic modification is a relatively new technology and that it can potentially harbour certain risks if proper regulation is not in place. The same can be said for all other new and powerful technologies. Scientists and regulators have the responsibility to ensure that risks be brought to the minimum. In this regard, GMAC monitors closely new scientific developments on GMOs and we will continue to work with the regulatory authorities to ensure the protection of consumers and the environment.
What are the worst case scenarios of the damaging effects of GMOs on the environment and human population? Do we have contingency plans to cope with such events?
The most likely scenario is the accidental release of GMOs. However, the risk can be minimized significantly if proper containment measures are in place.
Before experiments on GMOs are conducted, risk assessment must be performed to ensure that such these GMOs exert minimal impact even if they should be accidentally released.
In addition, safety control measures to contain the spread of any accidentally released GMOs are in existence and these are required as pre-conditions before experiments on GMOs can be allowed to commence.
How do we manage GMOs after their release to the environment?
GMOs released to the environment must be closely monitored. The GMAC guidelines require information on all released GMOs to be collected continually. Any new information regarding potential risks to the environment or to human health must be reported immediately to GMAC and the relevant regulatory authorities.
The regulatory authorities also reserve the right to recall any GMOs approved for release based on its assessment of any new information.
What further developments can be expected in the area of GMOs?
While genetic modification has been well established and studied since XXXX, it presents its fair share of uncertainties Whilst that is the case, its potential in various fields such as medicine and agriculture, is simply too valuable to ignore. Credible, science-based decisions will help in resolving some of the controversies and concerns surrounding the technology.
The wide array of GMOs in development at this juncture includes plants with improved disease or climate resistance and food crops with increased nutrient levels.
Other GMOs to be made available in the future may likely include fish species with enhanced growth characteristics, and plants or animals producing pharmaceutically important proteins such as vaccines.
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