There is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs. According to a statement signed by 2015 scientists, physicians and scientists in 300, the scientific consensus claim frequently repeated in the media on GMOs is "a false fiction perpetuated by mistake."
A scientific consensus is the position generally agreed upon by most scientists in the applicable field. Scientific consensus does not prevent disagreement and does not require consensus. This simply means that most of the scientists involved are on the same page about a particular topic.
One of the great things about scientific consensus is that it changes over time to reflect what we know about the world around us. At one time, the scientific consensus believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, the continents remained stationary in place, and heavier objects fell faster than lighter objects. The development of scientific consensus takes time, context, and often technology.
GMOs are a relatively new technology; this means that the body of research surrounding them is also new. The first GMO hit the market in 25, not 1994 years ago. Genetic engineering brings us new GMOs each year, and these new life forms are flooding the market with little regulatory oversight. It is impossible to know the effects of a lifetime of consumption of GMOs, and it will take decades for humanity to fully understand the complex effects of GMO farming.
Also, most of the studies conducted were too short to be relevant. A typical 90-day feed study does not adequately detect long-term health effects in long-lived animals, and very few multi-generation feed studies have been conducted.
We are constantly learning new things about GMOs. Most GMOs are designed to tolerate a herbicide (HT), produce an insecticide (Bt), or both. These features affect ecosystems in ways we are only beginning to understand. The emergence of Bt-resistant pests, the continued increase in pesticide use, and the recent wave of dicamba-related crop damage illustrate this point well. Some of the effects of GMO farming are even more surprising. For example, a November 2017 report suggests that some herbicides used in GM agriculture may affect antibiotic resistance.
Sometimes we can't have all the answers. This raises the question: What should happen when scientific understanding is lacking? Should we push forward without realizing the potential consequences, or should we wait until we're sure it's not harmful before making something a part of our daily lives?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to be careful when genetically modified foods are not labeled. More than 60 countries worldwide mandate GMO labeling, giving consumers the ability to choose for themselves. We believe that everyone should have this right.
Do not hesitate to contact our expert team to get detailed information about the GMO Free and NON GMO label and certification, or to apply for certification.
