GM crops are considered one of the solutions for the growing population on Earth. However, some people nowadays still doubt the safety of GM products. These do not only have safety problems, but also potential risks to wreck the whole ecosystem in Earth. Loss of biodiversity is already a big problem caused by the growing population of the people on Earth. If GM products continue to be widespread due to the alternative of conventional crops, the environmental impact that these can make is estimated to be tremendous. Then, what are the potential problems that GM products can cause to the environment?  

▲ Many GM products continue to be widespread due to the alternative of conventional crops.

Firstly, GMO's new genes have the potential to outcross the conventional crops, thereby producing mutations. Therefore, they should be monitored and evaluated on a case-by-case basis prior to their release and after commercialization. Due to this problem, GM products that are released in Canada do not have wild relatives which include potatoes, tomatoes, and corn. Monitoring GM crops after commercialization should be done and should be enacted both by the government officials and farmers, but catching every impact that they can give to the environment is thought to be nearly impossible.

Secondly, GM crops can develop insect resistance. According to the OIG, the agency has not provided enough information for the farmers to report resistance incidents. The EPA is also too secretive about the information that it gets from seed companies. All of this information means that the full care to prevent insect resistance is lacking. It is known that insects can reduce yields by 30 percent if they are unchecked. Although some research and checking are currently ongoing, damages caused by insects with resistance to GM products are estimated to be profound if full care is not present.

▲ Many farmers in Korea are protesting against GM products.

GM crops are made to generate crops more easily and cheaply. However, their side effects are currently left to be found by scientists and by consumers. If GM products are prevalent in the future, its damaging effects on the environment will be profound, and humans will view the widespread genetic mutations to the traditional crops and some animal species. Therefore, human beings should find another way to cure the problem of food scarcity caused by the increasing human population.

Sep. 20th, 2019

by Jung Minsu