Genetic Engineering: Myths & Truths
By Peter Chandler
Myth: Genetic engineering is just an extension of natural breeding and no more risky.
Truth: Genetic engineering is radically different from natural breeding and poses special risks.
Myth: GM foods are strictly tested and regulated for safety.
Truth: Regulation relies on GM food safety tests conducted by developer companies and regulatory processes are weak.
Myth: Independent studies confirm that GM foods and crops are safe.
Truth: Independent research on GM foods is difficult or impossible to carry out, but many existing studies have found problems.
Myth: GM foods are safe to eat.
Truth: GM crops have toxic and allergenic effects on laboratory and farm animals.
Myth: Many long-term studies show GM is safe.
Truth: Few long-term studies have been carried out, but some show toxic effects from GM food.
Myth: The Nicolia review compiles 1,700+ studies showing that GMOs are safe.
Truth: Many of the papers fail to document GMO safety: some show certain GMOs are harmful; and important papers relevant to GMO safety are omitted or ignored.
Myth: The Van Eenennaam review considered data from 100 billion animals and found GMOs are safe.
Truth: The review provides no data proving GMO safety.
Myth: GM crops increase yield potential.
Truth: GM crops do not increase yield potential.
Myth: GM crops decrease pesticide use.
Truth: GM crops increase pesticide use.
Myth: The pesticides associated with GM crops are safe.
Truth: The pesticides associated with GM crops may pose risks to health and the environment.
Myth: GM herbicide-tolerant crops are environmentally friendly.
Truth: GM herbicide-tolerant crops are an extension of chemical- intensive agriculture and pose threats to the environment.
Myth: GM crops can "co-exist" with non-GM and organic crops.
Truth: Coexistence means widespread contamination of non-GM and organic crops.
Myth: GM crops are needed to feed the world.
Truth: GM crops are irrelevant to food security.
Anecdote: Someone put out samples of organic corn and GM corn in their garden to see if squirrels would show a preference. They immediately ate all the organic corn but did not want to eat the GM corn. Do squirrels know something that we don't?
More information is available at GMWatch