I s s u e s
Risks to Human Health
GMO crops could potentially have negative effects on human health as well. When splicing genes between species, there are examples in which consumers have developed unexpected allergic reactions. Researchers used a gene from the Brazil nut to increase the production of Methionine in soya beans. The insertion of this gene inadvertently caused allergic reactions to the soya bean in those with known nut allergies, but no previous allergy to the soya bean, according to the product developer, Pioneer Hi-Bred. As shown on the right the organic consumer assosiation does not approve of any type of genetic modifications.
Environmental Risks
Firstly, toxicity is a huge issue surrounding chemical pesticides and herbicides, used commonly with GMOs, in addition to the toxicity inherent to these plants. GMOs may be toxic to non-target organisms, bees and butterflies being the most talked-about examples currently. Bees are hugely important in the pollination of many food crops, but are unfortunately extremely endangered by modern agricultural techniques, such as GM crops.
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Pests that are targeted by these agricultural methods can adapt to pesticides and herbicides, in addition to the DNA changes in GM plants to make them ¨resistant.¨ This means that they will not always be effective, but their toxic legacies will remain.
Finally, biodiversity, while it is critical in all ecosystems and to the sustainability of all species, is put at risk by GMOs. When GM crops are planted, generally in a monocrop fashion, many heritage seeds are no longer used. The nature of GMOs means fewer weed flowers and, therefore, less nectar for pollinators.
Endangerment of Food Webs
Risks to the food web are a very real ethical concern around GM technology. Any pesticide or herbicide from the crop could harm animals and other organisms in the environment. For example, GM sugar beets that were produced to be resistant to herbicides did successfully reduce weeds. However, Skylark birds that consume the seeds from this particular weed would now be required to find a new food source, thereby endangering their existence.
An animal could also consume the GM crop itself, which means that if the crop has been engineered to produce a pesticide, the animal may become ill and die