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Myth Busting

There are many common myths out there about genetically modififed crops.  Here we debunk a few

Genetic Modification is new

  • Humans have been genetically modifying crops since agriculture began 10,000 years ago through selective breeding

  • Genetic engineering replicates a process that has been occurring in nature for millions of years as bacteria and viruses shuttle genes between species

  • However... precise gene technologies are relatively modern and therefore designing crops specifically for our needs is new

GMO crops are dangerous to humans as they produce toxic chemicals

  • The insecticides/herbicides produced by GM plants are specifically designed to target insect pests and weeds. They are biodegradable and don't affect humans 
    Non-GM crops are sprayed with synthetic and nonbiodegradable pesticides that pose higher risks to humans 

Germinated Plant

GMO's are harmful to the environment

  • Farmers who grow GMO commodity crops, like soy and corn, do less tilling, which reduces topsoil loss, erosion, and the associated runoff of fertilizer

  • GM crops have reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68%

  • GE crops also have reduced CO2 emissions by 27 billion kg

  • However... There are possible negative impacts such as increased monoculture and reduction of biodiversity

GMO foods cause cancer

  • The one study that found a possible link between GM food and cancer was found to be of 'insufficient scientific quality to be considered as valid for risk assessment'

  • The study used rats that are predisposed to tumours

  • The study used incorrect statistical analysis with insufficient data

Altered genes from GMO crops will spread into bacteria and wild varieties of crops  

  • Antibiotic resistance plant genes are unlikely to spread into bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract  as gene transfers between ingested plant based food and bacteria is negligible 

  • The transfer of genes to wild varieties can be reduced by editing the plant so that the pollen becomes sterile 

GMO foods cause cancer

  • The one study that found a possible link between GM food and cancer was found to be of 'insufficient scientific quality to be considered as valid for risk assessment'

  • The study used rats that are predisposed to tumours

  • The study used incorrect statistical analysis with insufficient data

Tomatillo Plant

Farmers have to re-buy GM seeds every year

  • It is true that many GM seeds are patented and so have to be bought every year, however most non-GM seeds are hybrids that can't be bred from the crop itself. Therefore, non-GM farmers have to buy new seeds every year anyway to maintain high yields and quality of product.

  • In many public sector projects e.g. Water Efficient Maize, farmers are free to save and share GM seeds 

GMOs are a ploy by agrochemical corporations to sell more pesticides/herbicides

  • However most GM crops are being designed to reduce the use of pesticides by inserting genes that cause the plants themselves to produce insecticides and herbicides. This has decreased the use of pesticides by 37%

  • However... Some GM crops such as 'RoundUp Ready' crops are designed to withstand high levels of pesticide application  possibly resulting in the increased use of 'Roundup'

Bee on Flower

GMO crops cause catastrophic honeybee declines 

  • This appears to be a guilt by association situation with the rapid decline of honeybees occurring due to the pesticides called neonicotinoids which are often used on intensive farms that also use GM crops. 

  • Neonicotinoids are absorbed by the plant vascular system carried into the nectar and absorbed by the bees 

  • However... The modification of plants to produce insecticides could lead to the decline of harmless insects as well as pest 

GMOs are unlabelled and impossible to avoid 

  • In the EU, all foods that contain GM crops must be labelled so that the consumers can choose whether to eat GM foods 

  • However... As the result of Brexit, UK legislation is changing the definition of genetic modification, making it easier for GM foods to be used in unlabelled products 

GMOs are not thoroughly tested before approval 

  • Both GM and non-GM crops are regularly tested for human safety  

  • In the UK, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and FSA (Food Standards Agency) will only authorise products for sale if they present no risk to health

  • However... As a result of Brexit, legislation has changed allowing more GM projects to be undertaken, possibly resulting in less stringent testing 

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