Page 44 - Standard Indicators for the social appropriation of science
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hybridisation with other varieties. For the that in other laboratories they were unable to
researchers there is no-hidden-economic- replicate it. There is therefore no evidence that
interest, especially because farmers are used GMOs are harmful from the point of view of
to buying seeds in conventional farming as human health.
well.
What are the environmental risks?
What are the main issues of concern for
human health? Environmental groups initially ridden the fear
that GMOs were potentially harmful to health.
The scientific consensus to date is that GMOs There is no scientific evidence on this point.
do not pose health risks to humans. GMOs The environmental impact of GMO crops on
have been heavily studied and new GM crops which scientists are continuing to investigate
must go through an evaluation and approval is quite different. For clarity: the problem does
process through the FDA. If the FDA doesn’t not concern GMOs per se, but monocultures
determine they are safe, they won’t reach the in general for which forests are cut down, etc.
market. The only difference, if anything, is that some
more pesticides and fertilisers appear to be
The WHO says that because all GM crops used on GMO crops, but the environmental
are different, there shouldn’t be a blanket problem concerning intensive GMO crops are
statement about whether all GM foods are safe shared with conventional agriculture as well.
or not – but the organisation follows with “GM
foods currently available on the international Have longitudinal studies been conducted
market have passed safety assessments and to understand the effects of GMOs on
are not likely to present risks for human health. health?
In addition, no effects on human health have
been shown as a result of the consumption of Longitudinal studies have been conducted
such foods by the general population in the following cohorts of people over long periods,
countries where they have been approved.” trying to understand what impact there may
be. It must be clear, however, that science
While there are some studies that have never has a definitive answer. We may not
reported potential health risks, a 2017 review yet have detected the problems caused by
of studies usually cited as evidence of adverse GMOs, given that the human organism is a
effects of GM food found that most of those complex system in which it is difficult to study
studies were invalid due to conflict of interest, the effect of something, excluding everything
flawed study design or poor implementation. else. However, scientists – epidemiologists in
particular – have investigative techniques that
Years ago, a scientist published an article allow them to isolate certain factors. What we
highlighting potential health risks of GMOs. can say is that, to date, no one has found the
How did the story end? Are there updates? “smoking gun” that traces GMOs to potential
risks to human health.
The story ended with a stalemate. The study
was conducted on laboratory mice. Humans Can some mutations that are produced in
are not mice, and the results we get on the laboratory also be produced in a more
mice can’t always be transferred to humans. “natural” way, perhaps through crossing
Furthermore, the study also presented species?
important methodological deficits, so much so
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