The results are in: GMO foods pose no health risks

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as defined by the World Health Organization, are “organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.”

Genetically engineered (GE) crops typically fall into one of two main categories—those that resist pests and those that are tolerant of herbicides. In recent years, crops that are tolerant to drought have become more common as well.

While little research points to issues caused by these crops, the idea of altering nature raises many long-term concerns, leading to headlines and reports such as the National Academies’.

The results of the report varied, but were largely positive for agricultural companies.

According to the report, crops that were genetically engineered:

• Saved farmers money
• Lowered the number of pests
• Had no effect on monarch butterflies, as previously feared
• Did not increase human diseases
• Did not increase crop yield
• Increased the number of some herbicide-resistant weeds

Disease reports from Canada, the UK, western Europe, and the US were compared to see if patterns indicated that GMO foods were safe for humans. Specific health complications were investigated, but no correlation was found between an increase in GMO food consumption in the US and Canada and an increase of diseases in either of those countries. Western Europe and the UK were used as a control, as GMO foods are consumed less frequently there.

Most diseases saw no increase, but in both the UK and the US autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disorder that hinders communication, as well as Celiac disease, which causes negative reactions to gluten, increased. Since the increase happened in both areas, regardless of their consumption of GMOs, it is unlikely that these are related to the consumption of genetically modified crops.

“Genetically engineered crops are safe for humans and animals to eat,” said USA Today, “and have not caused increases in cancer, obesity, gastrointestinal illnesses, kidney disease, autism or allergies, an exhaustive report from the National Academies of Science released Tuesday found.”

According to USA Today, GE crops make up 12% of all cropland, though only 12 GMO crops are grown commercially in the entire world. “The vast majority of GM acreage is concentrated in cotton, soybeans, corn, sugar beets and canola,” wrote USA Today. “In the United States, the list of commercially grown GM crops includes cotton, soy beans, corn, sugar beets, canola, alfalfa and papaya, in addition to small amounts of zucchini and yellow summer squash, apples and potatoes.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the main three GMO crops are genetically engineered cotton, soybeans, and corn. In the report “Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States”, the USDA declared that in 2013 90% of cotton acres were GE, as were 93% of soybean acres and 90% of corn acres. These percentages are remarkably higher than those reported in 2000, which saw GE cotton, soybeans, and corn at 61%, 54%, and 25%, respectively.

Though the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine are private non-profits formed by Congress, critics of the report are concerned that the data was skewed or influenced by agricultural companies. Genuine concerns also arise over transparency and the potential for genetic modifications to impact plant diversity.

But many consumers fear GMO foods for unrelated reasons. A NPD Group survey from 2015 concluded that 57% of Americans “were concerned that genetically modified foods posed a health hazard”, according to USA Today.

“While consumers are aware of genetically modified crops and food, their knowledge level is limited and often at odds with the facts,” found a study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal. Of the participants in that study, “84 percent supported a mandatory label for food containing genetically modified ingredients. However, 80 percent also supported a mandatory label for food containing DNA, which would result in labeling almost all food.”

This indicates that many consumers are uninformed about the realities of GMO foods, and avoid them for little reason.

“It’s an emotional issue, it’s not a science issue,” said food industry analyst Phil Lempert, according to USA Today.

Whether consumers are comfortable with the idea of genetically modified crops or not, they are here to stay. While transparency issues can certainly be addressed through mandatory labeling, no scientific data exists to suggest that GMOs need to go.

Still, an eye should be kept on genetically modified crops—current studies suggest that they pose no risk, but new information might surface in the future.

For now, enjoy your corn in peace—it is unlikely to be harmful.