ARTICLE: Clearing the Air on GMO Myths
The following is an excerpt of an article appearing in the Wilmington (OH) News Journal on December 26th, 2016 addressing some of the myths about GMOs.
Emily Adams, Ohio State University Extension Educator in Coshocton County, talked with moderator David Marrison of Ashtabula County Extension about the “Myths of GMOs” and tried to set the record straight on issues such as yield, production costs and pesticide use.
Regarding consumers, Adams said, “The more questions we can ask back of people asking us questions about GMOs, the better we can understand what their real concerns are. Because we may think they are concerned about health or safety, and then throw them all kinds of facts that show that no studies or research out there has concluded that there are any adverse health affects of GMOs. The research has been well established over the last two decades, but sometimes that is not what they want to hear.”
She said sometimes it is not the health or safety concerns but the moral issue they have concerns with or environmental concerns they have. “I think sometimes we (agriculture educators and GMO farmers) are afraid we don’t have all the answers, so we don’t engage and don’t want it getting emotional.”
Adams said that the more calm they can remain and ask what questions they have, the better able they can seek out the answers. “Shared values is a good way to approach this. What shared values to we have? Safe food for our kids and safe environmen. What is the common ground? It is important to have that dialogue.”
Marrison asked Adams: “In looking at the data, is it true or myth that GOMs have an economic advantage over non-GMOs?”
“In looking at the data globally and not just the United States, where countries have grown GMO crops since 1996 when GMOs were first produced, here is what the data says for cotton and corn: Increased yield, reduced pest damage, reduced insecticide use, and increased farm level of profitability. That is looking at all the data rolled into one over the last two decades,” Adams said.
To read the rest of the article, please visit the Wilmington News Journal website.
