Scary effects of genetically modified plants

American researchers have found that raising, growing with genetic modification technology is creating super grass and super-pesticide-resistant pests. However, they reassured that genetically modified food is generally safe for human consumption.

New research from the US National Academy of Sciences reveals that many of the promise of genetically modified and cultured technologies has not worked in practice. In particular, the experts concluded, the emergence of mutant grasses and pests caused by breeding technology, genetically modified is "a serious agricultural problem".

In some cases, super grasses have invaded many large areas, once a productive agricultural land in North America. The farmers had to rely on drastic measures, including spraying extremely toxic chemicals like DDT and even using flamethrowers, to try to eliminate them.

The public is still skeptical about the safety and impact of genetically modified crops on the environment and human health.(Photo: Alamy).

There is also evidence that some harmful insects have developed resistance to toxins that are plugged into genetically modified plants. Therefore, they survived to cause serious damage to high value crops, such as genetically modified cotton plants that are being grown in India.

Genetically modified crops were first developed more than 20 years ago, with promises to increase yields, reduce chemical sprays and improve farmers' profits.

A group of plants, such as soybeans and corn, have been plugged into genes to make them immune to herbicides such as glyphosate . In theory, farmers can then irrigate their genetically modified plants with herbicide, helping them grow well. However, many grasses, such as Palmers pigweed can grow to 2.1 meters tall, often develop resistance to glyphosate, a feature that is also equipped for most genetically modified crops, making us very difficult to control them.

A second group of plants, such as cotton and corn, is given a toxin called Bt to kill any pests that eat plants. However, the pink caterpillar that specializes in cotton and cereal has developed the ability to resist Bt in genetically modified cotton plants.

US researchers found: "Evidence shows that in places where insect-resistant transgenic crops are grown but do not comply with resistance control methods, some insects have evolved. harmful resistance ".

Facing the above problems, experts concluded that there should be strict policy-making mechanisms for medical examination and treatment for new plants as well as how to nurture them.

Many protesters of genetically modified crops have expressed concern about their effects.

Many protesters of genetically modified crops have expressed concern about their effects on the environment and human health. The new study reassures that, in general, experts have yet to find credible evidence of the causal relationship between genetically modified crops and environmental problems. But the complex nature of assessing long-term environmental changes often makes it difficult for them to make certain conclusions.

Regarding the impact on human health, the US National Academy of Sciences said, although long-term epidemiological studies do not directly consider the uptake of genetically modified foods, the epidemiological data are available. There is no link between any disease or chronic condition with the absorption of genetically modified food. Therefore, they argue that there is no scientific basis for distinguishing foods that contain genetically modified ingredients, such as breakfast cereals, bimps or ready-to-eat foods.

He and a number of other European countries have passed laws requiring labeling of products containing genetically modified ingredients. But, in the US, people are still debating whether food companies and supermarkets should learn to do this.