Arguments Against GMO Research

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Lars Lindgren
BIOL 3416-508
Common Arguments Against and in the Support of GMOs

The policies surrounding genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are one of the most divisive issues in biotechnology and genetic engineering as genetically modified crops directly influence today’s two main areas of current controversy: the environment and the economy. Criticism of environmental conditions are regularly based off the idea that “natural” is better. Besides the given premise that GMOs are created by artificial modifications in an organism’s genetic code, gene flow between species also plays a role in how GMOs affect the environment. In this case, gene flow refers to the horizontal transfer of genetic material from a genetically modified …show more content…
While in 2007, it was a fair point to identify the discrepancies between large, corporate crop cultivation and small, independent farmers, recent advancements in technology and GMO research have allowed for much more affordable means of GMO cultivation, especially for small farmers. In recent years, the savings of herbicide and insecticide resistant crops amounted anywhere in the range of $30 per hectare all the way up to $85 per hectare, regardless of financial backing (Barfoot & Brookes, 2016). Moreover, these reduced costs even led to substantially higher crop yields. Over subsequent years of genetically modified soybean growing, the average increase in crop yields were 9% to 11% higher than conventional crops (Barfoot & Brookes, 2016). The reduced cost of cultivation plus the higher yields of growth resulted in an improvement in farming income equivalent to $2.76 billion in 2014 and a total of $8.46 billion from 2009 to 2014 (Barfoot & Brookes, 2016). These improvements are only expected to increase as research in the field of genetically modified organisms is …show more content…
With proper regulation as implemented currently, genetically modified organisms remain a safe and effective method of supporting a clean environment and providing sufficient food for an ever-growing worldwide population.
Literature Cited

Acosta, L. (2014, March 01). Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from https://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on- gmos/usa.php
Aslaksen, I., & Myhr, A. I. (2007). “The worth of a wildflower”: Precautionary perspectives on the environmental risk of GMOs. Ecological Economics, 60(3), 489-497. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.07.021
Barfoot, P., & Brookes, G. (2014). Key global environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996–2012. GM Crops & Food, 5(2), 149-160. doi:10.4161/gmcr.28449
Barfoot, P., & Brookes, G. (2016). GM crops: global socio-economic and environmental impacts 1996- 2014.
Kotrba, P., Najmanova, J., Macek, T., Ruml, T., & Mackova, M. (2009). Genetically modified plants in phytoremediation of heavy metal and metalloid soil and sediment pollution. Biotechnology Advances, 27(6), 799-810. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.06.003
Weis, A. J. (2007). The global food economy: the battle for the future of farming. London: Zed

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