GMOs Aren’t Inherently Unhealthy

While humans have been selectively breeding crops for desirable traits for millennia, it hasn’t been until recently that we could directly modify their genes. Scientists can now deliberately pick and choose desirable traits, such as nutritional value, crop yield, and taste. The first genetically modified crop was a virus-resistant tobacco plant, first grown in 1992. Since then, many more crops have been genetically modified.

It’s hard to say exactly when conspiracies grew, but it’s entirely likely that they’ve been around since the beginning. Regardless, conspiracies about GMOs have had far-reaching effects and a substantial amount of support. Many countries require GMO-produced foods to be labeled as such.

However, Misbar’s investigation found that despite the widespread opposition to GMOs, much of it lacks proper evidence. There’s little evidence to suggest that there are harmful effects in GMOs. In fact, some are actually healthier than their non-GMO origins. The Plant Biotechnology Program in the FDA evaluates GMO safety.

Golden rice, for example, has added vitamins designed to combat nutritional deficiencies in the region. There’s no research suggesting that they can cause cancer, either. However, that’s not to say that GMOs shouldn’t be properly regulated. Moreover, some corporations have gotten patents for their GMOs and have proven litigious, whether or not cross-spreading was intentional.