Are GMOs Safe?

Nutrition and Wellness / By

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) seem to be a hot topic of conversation these days. There are a lot of questions circulating, and the media doesn’t make it any easier to come to a clear conclusion. I’m here to break it down for you.

What are GMOs?

GMOs are a type of biotechnology where plant genes for a desired trait are copied and used in another plant (or organism). 

Technically we’ve been creating GMOs for years- selectively breeding seeds of different varieties to make another variety that has desired traits. Think of roses. Humans have been breeding them to produce smaller thorns or unique colors. But instead of breeding plants and waiting generation after generation, scientists can now use technology to make the process faster and easier. 

Why are GMOs Used in Farming?

As you may be aware, farmers make their living off of producing consumable crops. A lot of time and effort goes into planning what farmers will plant each year, how they will keep their crops healthy based on local grow growing conditions, and market demand for certain crops. GMO seeds are often considered in this process due to their benefits: tolerance to herbicides (prevents crops from being overtaken by weeds), prevent disease in the plants, tolerance to drought, insect resistance, and non-browning are  few of the desirable traits. Often, GMO crops are better for then environment as they don’t produce as much waste and are able to still produce yield in the unstable weather conditions.

Which Foods are GMOs?

There are 10 crops that are approved for genetic modification: alfalfa, apple, potato, canola, corn (sweet and field), soybean, rainbow papaya, cotton, sugar beet, and summer squash. 

Are GMOs Safe?

Yes. GMO products are tested more extensively than most other foods on the market to prove how safe they are. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assess the safety of the foods, determine the impact of the food on the environment. If the food was modified to prevent pests, it is also then evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Typically only the USDA or FDA inspects a food, not both. In fact, GMOs are safer than most supplements as those are not tested by the FDA*

When it comes to safety for humans, many people have expressed concerns about autism, cancer, allergies and many other conditions. In the 20 years that GMOs have been on the market, there has not been research to confirm any of this.

In terms of the environment, GMOs may actually be better. Because many GMO crops are herbicide tolerant, there is not a need to till the fields to remove weeds that may harm crops. This in turn makes the soil better able to hold onto water and improves soil health. It also reduces the use of large machinery which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

GMO Labeling

I’m sure we’ve all seen water or strawberries labeled as NON GMO Verified. And by now you’re probably wondering why are they labeled this way? Water cannot be a GMO food ever as it does not have any genetic material. Water is made from 2 hydrogen molecule and an oxygen molecule. That’s it, no DNA for scientists to modify. Strawberries- while they are a living plant and do contain DNA, they are not available commercially in the United States from GMO seeds. The same goes with other foods. Unless a food is one of the 10 products listed above, there is no need for it to be labeled as NON GMO Verified. The only exceptions would be foods that may contain ingredients from a GMO crop. The biggest reason we see these label in grocery stores is due to consumer lack of knowledge and the perception the NON GMO Verified is healthier. In fact, many companies use this label as a means to increase the price of their foods. Next time you see the NON GMO Verified label, remind yourself that it is irrelevant and save yourself some money.

If you’re interested in learning more facts about GMOs or reading up on the latest research, checkout  GMO Answers. This site is dedicated to answering the consumers questions related to GMOs and creating transparency around the research.

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