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Question

Please explain the downsides and potential risks of GMO. Things cannot be perfect. Please state in layman words what are the real influence of GMO except for not gaining profits for your company.

Submitted by: Schmicht


Answer

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Friday, 07/08/2015 11:15

Rob Wager, faculty member at Vancouver Island University addresses this question in another response and says, “GM crops have been quite successful since they arrived on the market 20 years ago … That is not to say there are no significant issues — there most definitely are. However, when one looks at the legitimate issues with GM crops, the vast majority are not unique to GM crops and are equally applicable to other forms of agriculture.”

 

He cites a few common issues, including high seed and regulatory costs, germ-line biodiversity, cross-pollination, fertilizer use and herbicide-resistant weeds.

 

Read the rest in his response here.

 

Additionally, in a recent Reddit AMA, former Council for Biotechnology Information executive director Cathy Enright addressed this question, saying, "My concern is with resistance to weeds and insects. While resistance is not unique to GMO crops (resistance has been documented going back over 100 years), the responsible application of pesticides is the agriculture industry's duty--we need to work together to ensure we apply our knowledge and tools for effective crop rotation, crop protection, adoption of cover cropping, etc."

 

If you have any additional questions, please ask.

Answer

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Friday, 07/08/2015 11:15

Rob Wager, faculty member at Vancouver Island University addresses this question in another response and says, “GM crops have been quite successful since they arrived on the market 20 years ago … That is not to say there are no significant issues — there most definitely are. However, when one looks at the legitimate issues with GM crops, the vast majority are not unique to GM crops and are equally applicable to other forms of agriculture.”

 

He cites a few common issues, including high seed and regulatory costs, germ-line biodiversity, cross-pollination, fertilizer use and herbicide-resistant weeds.

 

Read the rest in his response here.

 

Additionally, in a recent Reddit AMA, former Council for Biotechnology Information executive director Cathy Enright addressed this question, saying, "My concern is with resistance to weeds and insects. While resistance is not unique to GMO crops (resistance has been documented going back over 100 years), the responsible application of pesticides is the agriculture industry's duty--we need to work together to ensure we apply our knowledge and tools for effective crop rotation, crop protection, adoption of cover cropping, etc."

 

If you have any additional questions, please ask.