Viewpoint: New EU Parliament should stop ‘shunning science’ and embrace GMOs

European Parliament Strasbourg Hemicycle Diliff

The recently elected European Parliament (EP) should bring with it a ray of hope. Hope that Europe will rise to the occasion, to tackle global challenges like climate change and food insecurity. And GMOs – and biotechnology more generally – can and should be part of the solution. Unfortunately, following a change of more than 60% of MEPs in the Parliament, EP objections to GMOs, which began several years ago, have continued, with some MEPs blaming GMOs for many of the global challenges we face today.

The evidence shows that growing GMOs has led to a reduction in agricultural chemical use of 37% overall, and much more when it comes to insect resistant GM crops. And their use has greatly increased farm and environmental safety, for example by significantly reducing suicide rates and pesticide poisoning on smallholder farms in the developing world.

Furthermore, the increased yields per hectare associated with GMOs spares pressure on surrounding lands, including rainforests …. [I]t makes sense to grow crops efficiently to help avoid additional land conversion.

Already today, the reality in Europe is that most people wear GM cotton, and eat a variety of food products that were produced with the help of biotechnology, including GMOs.

Read full, original article: Senselessly shunning science: the EU Parliament’s GMO dilemma

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.