Socio-Economic Challenges and Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

Abstract

The Department of Science and Technology also informed the Committee that due to consistent and substantial economic, environmental and welfare benefits of GM crops, 14 million farmers, including small and resource-poor, planted 134 million hectare of GM crops in 2009, across 25 countries during fourteenth year of commercialization of GM crops with share of developing countries at 46%. Thus GM crops can contribute to major challenges facing global society such as food security, sustainability, alleviation of poverty and hunger, and help mitigate some challenges associated with climate change. The effects of genetically modified foods on human health and well being are at its infancy. There exist little reputable scientific evidence in the current literature to suggest that genetically modified foods are safe for human consumption and health. Food producers and processors in response to the increasing demand for cheap, nutritious foods have invested considerable resources in developing new products using genetic engineering. It is hoped that this new technology would be used to solve the problems of hunger, food security and pest control, but at what cost to the safety of the consumer and public.Humanitarian use of GR will give both critics and advocates of genetically-modified crops the chance to work toward the goal of creating sustainable solutions for global nutritional concerns. If GMOs of all types can be developed to aid the global community in reducing suffering and building sustainable communities, then we support the efforts of the global community to develop these crops and organisms.