A major scientific review says that GMOs are not the danger claimed by critics, nor are they as wonderful as supporters claim. "GE crops are pretty much just crops," said one scientist.No evidence that genetically modified crops unsafe to eat
Miami, May 17, 2016, AFP – A sweeping review Tuesday of research on genetically modified crops found no evidence that they are unsafe to eat, but warned that pest and weed resistance could pose serious problems.
The findings issued by the US National Academies of Science examined two decades of research on genetically engineered (GE) crops, as they are also known, and called for regulators to take a closer look at the final product of a new plant variety, rather than the process used to breed or engineer it.
"We dug deeply into the literature to take a fresh look at the data on GE and conventionally bred crops," said committee chair Fred Gould, co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University.
Gould acknowledged that the wealth of data and opinions on the controversial matter "had created a confusing landscape" and that the new report aimed to offer an unbiased review of the evidence.
The committee of more than 50 scientists looked at almost 900 research and other publications on genetically engineered characteristics in maize (corn), soybean, and cotton – representing the vast majority of commercial crops to date.
The report found no links between genetically modified crops and cancer or diabetes, and no association "between any disease or chronic conditions and the consumption of GE foods."
However, it urged regulators to submit new plant varieties to "safety testing – regardless of whether they were developed using genetic engineering or conventional breeding techniques."
The report also found that "evolved resistance to current GE characteristics in crops is a major agricultural problem," including both insect and weed resistance.
It cited many locations in which weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate, the herbicide to which most biotech crops were engineered to be resistant.
Biologists have used genetic engineering since the 1980s to produce fruit that can last longer on store shelves, have higher vitamin content and be more resilient against common diseases.
The only genetically engineered characteristics that have been put into widespread commercial use are those that allow a crop to withstand the application of a herbicide or to be toxic to insect pests."
The report pointed to some evidence that insect-resistant biotech crops have actually boosted human health by cutting back on insecticide poisonings.
Economically, engineered soybean, cotton, and maize have "generally had favourable economic outcomes for producers who have adopted these crops, but outcomes have varied depending on pest abundance, farming practices, and agricultural infrastructure."
But the study found that genetically modified crops had not changed the rate of increase in yields among US farmers of soybean, cotton, and maize over time.
Wayne Parrott, professor in the department of crop and soil sciences at the University of Georgia who was not involved in the study, said the report offers a "sober assessment."
"The inescapable conclusion, after reading the report, is that GE crops are pretty much just crops," he said.
"They are not the panacea that some proponents claim, nor the dreaded monsters that others claim."