gmo harm or benefit: the whole truth

The whole truth about GMOs that no one really knows

The article will discuss the developments of genetic engineering in the cultivation of agricultural crops.

Currently, information regarding the danger or safety of GMOs for human health is very different. Fans of genetically modified products enjoy eating modified tomatoes and apples in front of camera lenses, saying that it is not scary at all. Opponents deny the importance of such products and insist that they generally conceal a potential danger for all of humanity. Finding the truth in this dispute is not easy, primarily because until now there have been no studies aimed at confirming the benefits or harm of GMO products for humans. So far, there are results of several experiments conducted on animals.

GMOs make up about 10% of the world's arable land. Four crops are considered basic: soybeans, corn, cotton, canola. Then comes wheat, tobacco, potatoes, rapeseed, cotton, strawberries, vegetables. The bulk of GMO crops are grown in high-income countries. The United States is in the lead (60%), Argentina and Brazil are in second place, Paraguay and Uruguay are in third, Canada is in fourth, and India is in fifth. In Asia, China also grows GMO crops.

For every plus there is a minus

• Thanks to the work of genetic engineering, it has become possible to increase the yield of various grains, vegetables, and other plants. The world population is growing, and with it, there is an intensive depletion of fertile land, a reduction in the area of crops, therefore, with the help of genetic transformations, it is possible to increase the nutritional value of agricultural crops, as well as resistance to drought, frost, disease, insect damage, and herbicides. However, several studies have shown that the yield of GMO crops is lower than that of conventional plants.
• The pros initially included the assumption that small farmers and consumers of genetically modified products from third world countries should have felt that the cost of producing crops and purchasing ready-made ones was steadily falling. However, this was only possible in the case of wheat. And all because the cost of seeds includes all the costs of expensive research, as well as an additional percentage for "intellectual property". Moreover, GMO crops are not sown, so farmers have to buy these seeds every subsequent year.

And the cons, alas, are without the pros

Since what exactly can be expected from GMOs (harm or benefit) is not fully understood, such products are considered "potentially dangerous". However, you should not believe the rumors completely, because, for example, a modified plant genome cannot destroy or change human chromosomes, but it is capable of other things.

• A transgenic element present in a product can promote additional synthesis of atypical proteins in the human body. The consequences of this process are unknown.
• New allergens can arise in genetically modified foods. For example, in the United States, 79% of the population already suffers from allergies, and in Sweden, which prohibits GMOs, only 6%.

If you notice a negative reaction of the body (rash, swelling) after eating any product, you need to make an appointment with an allergist.

• Recent studies by Austrian scientists have found that a popular variety of GMO corn leads to a decrease in the fertility of mice. Numerous studies on rats have shown toxic, allergic and oncological results, which were caused by genetically modified feed.
• Modified plant genes can accidentally get into other plants (wild or crops of pure organic farming). As a result, in 50 years, all GMO-free plants will simply disappear.
• Eating transgenes can negatively affect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, and, accordingly, its microflora. For example, it can be filled with bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and then no consultation with a gastroenterologist and taking new antibiotics will help much. By the way, the emergence of genetically modified microorganisms is currently considered the most dangerous side effect of genetic engineering, since this is a large segment of the ecosystem, and it is unknown what this is fraught with.
• The most unpredictable and global harm these experiments with crossing genes can cause to the biological balance of our entire planet. Crossing a plant and, for example, a fish (cod DNA elements, as it turned out, protect tomatoes from spoilage) is, in essence, trying on the functions of the Creator, without having a clear understanding of the consequences.

What to do next

Some developed countries have already banned the cultivation of GMO products (France, Hungary, Sweden), and most other countries require labeling products about the presence of GMO elements in them. Permissible levels of modified genes in products: in the USA - 10%, in Japan - 5%, in the European Union - no more than 0.9%.

As mentioned above, no one knows the exact harm to health that GMO products can cause us. Moreover, genetic engineering is compared to a "genie in a bottle", implying that it is an unpredictable and irreversible thing. But it is up to you to decide what to eat or not to eat. If you are concerned about the health of your children and yourself, you can play it safe and exclude or limit the amount of food containing GMOs as much as possible.

In Russia, 17 types of GMO products are officially allowed, which include some varieties of corn, potatoes, rice, soybeans, beets and 5 types of microorganisms. The permissible norms for GMO content in our country, as in Europe, are 0.9%.

Accordingly, when a food product contains a smaller number of modified genes, it can be sold without appropriate labeling. However, knowing the various tricks of domestic producers, do not expect that you will always know the truth about the composition of the offered food.

Note:

• Since soy and rice starch are included in many mass-market foods, you should not buy sausages and hot dogs, which are champions in GMO content, as well as dumplings, instant soups, ketchups. This also includes soy dairy products, margarine, mayonnaise, beet sugar, corn and rapeseed oil, ice cream, candy and chocolate and, believe it or not, baby food.
• If you think that buying vegetables and fruits at the market is safe, this does not mean that everything there is natural. Do not be fooled by beautiful, large, glossy fruits. It is better to choose ugly beets or potatoes, and apples "with wormholes". Yes, they are not perfect, but they are natural.
• Think about growing vegetables and fruits in your own garden.