By Hong Hye-ji and Jung Min-seo
KT Editor and Co-editor
Recent advancements in genetic engineering technology are being applied across various fields, with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) being a major focus. GMOs are created by inserting beneficial genes into other organisms, and common examples include genetically modified crops, microorganisms, and animals. Since their commercial introduction in the United States in 1996, GMOs have been cultivated
in 29 countries across 246 varieties of 24 crops and approved for consumption in 61 countries. In particular, developing countries view GMOs as a potential solution to food shortages. While GMO foods offer advantages such as increased agricultural productivity, they also raise significant ethical and economic concerns, including ecosystem disruption, gene leakage, and the monopolization of patents by large
corporations. Therefore, social and ethical discussions are essential alongside scientific research. This article aims to explore the pros and cons of the continued use of GMO foods.
Pros of GMO
By Jung Min-seo KT Co-editor
According to a meta-analysis published in 2023, GMO corn showed an increase in yield ranging from 5.6% to as much as 24.5% compared to non-GMO varieties (Genetic Literacy Project, May 2023). In addition, a comprehensive review on the economic impact conducted in 2023 reported that the adoption of GMOs led to increased farm income, reduced production costs, and the creation of new markets and export opportunities, thereby improving farmers’ overall earnings (ResearchGate, September 2023). Regarding pesticide use and environmental impact, the introduction of GMO crops contributed to a reduction in pesticide application. Moreover, the use of GMO crops resulted in less reliance on agricultural machinery, leading to lower fuel consumption and a subsequent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. The global GMO crop market grew from $21 billion in 2022 to $22.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $28 billion by 2027 (GlobeNewswire, February 2023).
Crops can even be genetically modified to protect human health, with one prominent example being Golden Rice. When people do not consume enough vitamin A, they can develop vitamin A deficiency, a condition that can lead to blindness, weaken the immune system, and increase mortality from infectious diseases. In 2023, the World Health Organization, during its 76th World Health Assembly, adopted a resolution on micronutrient deficiencies, noting that 50% of preschool-aged children worldwide are affected by vitamin A deficiency—a condition particularly common in Southeast Asia, where rice is a staple food. However, rice does not naturally contain betacarotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. To address this problem, Golden Rice was developed by inserting a gene from corn that produces beta-carotene into rice, enabling it to generate vitamin A when consumed. Although Golden Rice has been recognized as safe by countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, it has not been commercialized even after 30 years of development due to strong opposition from environmental activists against GMO cultivation. If Golden Rice were commercialized, it could help save millions of people suffering from vitamin A deficiency around the world.
Cons of GMO
By Hong Hye-ji KT Editor
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are gaining attention as a technology that can increase food productivity and help address food shortages. However, concerns remain about the potential risks they may pose. The lack of long-term safety verification and the possibility of ecological disruption provide grounds for carefully considering the future negative impacts GMOs could have on humanity. Therefore, it
is difficult to conclude at this point whether GMOs are wholly positive.
First, there are valid concerns regarding the long-term safety of GMO foods on human health. For example, consuming foods containing GMOs may trigger allergic reactions, and the genetic modification process can lead to increased antibiotic resistance. This poses a risk of weakening the human immune system against certain bacteria and diseases. There have also been reports that genetically modified crops like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn are having a greater environmental impact than initially anticipated.
Second, GMOs can seriously affect ecosystems. If GMO plants spread into natural environments, they may compete with native species, potentially leading to their extinction. Furthermore, when GMO crops crossbreed with wild plants, the resulting gene flow can produce unpredictable outcomes. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bt corn has contributed to increased resistance in crops in some agricultural areas of the United States and Canada. Although the toxic proteins produced in Bt corn were initially effective in eliminating specific pests, some pests have since developed resistance. For example, in states like Michigan and North Dakota, the moth species Helicoverpa zea has shown increased resistance in regions where Bt corn is cultivated. This has disrupted natural pest control systems and forced farmers to once again rely on chemical pesticides, raising concerns about their negative impact on the ecological balance.
In conclusion, GMO foods remain an unproven technology, and their long-term effects on human health and the environment have yet to be fully understood. Given these safety concerns and potential ecological risks, the adoption of GMO foods should be approached with caution. Going forward, it would be preferable to seek safer and more sustainable methods of food production.
