Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been at the centre of global health debates for decades. While many scientists have stated that modern GMOs are a scientific breakthrough capable of solving hunger and malnutrition, many independent environmental organizations such as those found within Greenpeace argue that GMOs have not been researched thoroughly enough to understand their impact on the environment and human health.
Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts, a molecular biologist and advocate for biotechnology and GMOs addressed this issue as a guest lecturer as part of a series launched by the Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TRuST) scholarly network at the University of Waterloo, challenging the use of “genetically modified.”
“The term genetically modified is really misleading. Every life form on this planet has been genetically modified by evolution,” Roberts explained.
During the lecture, he pointed out that the selective breeding of crops, something that has been practised for centuries, is the same as modern genetic modification. The difference today is that modern technology allows scientists to make precise changes, resulting in crops that require fewer pesticides, grow more efficiently, and provide better nutrition.
Roberts used the example of golden rice, a food developed to provide vitamin A to malnourished children in developing countries, as a demonstration of how GMOs can benefit the world’s population.
Carmen Xiè, a biomedical engineering student at the University of Waterloo, attended the lecture to gain a better understanding of the benefits of GMOs to the global population.
“I knew about golden rice, but the fact that people don’t tend to do their research only because they trust someone else to do it for them is dangerous. I’ve done it too, it’s easy to think organic means good,”
Greenpeace, a global network of independent campaigning organizations focused on environmental issues, has taken a stance against GMOs for years.
“The surge in genetically engineered crops in the past few decades is one of the main drivers of increased pesticide use and chemicals in agriculture. [They] directly promote an industrial and chemical-intensive model of farming harmful to people, the environment, and wildlife,” Greenpeace posted to their site.
Sofia Nicolás, a practical nursing student at Conestoga College, says she agrees with Greenpeace.
“Research is always good. If you want stuff to be safe, I’d want it to be researched really well. The world is already burning and adding more unnatural things probably isn’t a good idea,”
Roberts closed the lecture with a message driving home the importance of considering the benefits of GMOs in global agriculture. While those in developed countries can choose whether or not to consume GMOs, not everyone has that ability.
“Food choice is really a luxury of the developed word. They don’t say, ‘what am I going to eat today?’ They say, ‘will I eat today?’”
