Misconceptions and Reality
Myth: All GMO crops cause problems!
Reality: No, not all GMOs cause a problem. For example, the Hawaiian papaya industry was saved due to a genetically modified Hawaiian papaya. This papaya was modified to resist viruses. The GM papaya also helped to save the organic Hawaiian papaya industry by reducing the instances of the virus.
Myth: Most of the seeds planted today are genetically modified.
Reality: Actually, few of the seeds today are genetically modified. However, some of the cash crops in the U.S. use GM crops. Some of the seeds genetically modified are corn, soybeans, squash, and papaya.
Myth: All GMOS are bad because they are unhealthy.
Reality: There has been massive amounts of research done on the impact of GMOs on health. The process itself doesn't make anything healthier or unhealthier, and genetic modification in agriculture could be used for a huge variety of purposes, while using all different kinds of genes. The fact that something might be modified doesn't mean that it is inherently bad for you. As stated by the Genetic Engineering Risk Atlas, "The scientific research conducted so far has not detected any significant hazards directly connected with the use of GE crops; however, the debate is still intense."
Myth: GMOs can cause cancer.
The study that claim is based off of was later considered to be faulty.
Myth: GMOs have dangerous chemicals and toxins.
While some GM crops, such as those with Bt, do contain toxins that kill insects, they do not produce them at high enough levels to be a risk to humans.
Reality: No, not all GMOs cause a problem. For example, the Hawaiian papaya industry was saved due to a genetically modified Hawaiian papaya. This papaya was modified to resist viruses. The GM papaya also helped to save the organic Hawaiian papaya industry by reducing the instances of the virus.
Myth: Most of the seeds planted today are genetically modified.
Reality: Actually, few of the seeds today are genetically modified. However, some of the cash crops in the U.S. use GM crops. Some of the seeds genetically modified are corn, soybeans, squash, and papaya.
Myth: All GMOS are bad because they are unhealthy.
Reality: There has been massive amounts of research done on the impact of GMOs on health. The process itself doesn't make anything healthier or unhealthier, and genetic modification in agriculture could be used for a huge variety of purposes, while using all different kinds of genes. The fact that something might be modified doesn't mean that it is inherently bad for you. As stated by the Genetic Engineering Risk Atlas, "The scientific research conducted so far has not detected any significant hazards directly connected with the use of GE crops; however, the debate is still intense."
Myth: GMOs can cause cancer.
The study that claim is based off of was later considered to be faulty.
Myth: GMOs have dangerous chemicals and toxins.
While some GM crops, such as those with Bt, do contain toxins that kill insects, they do not produce them at high enough levels to be a risk to humans.