Are GMOs Safe? The Ecological and Human Risks of Genetic Engineering

It may be hard to believe, but half of the crops (55%) grown in the United States are genetically modified organisms (FERN’s Ag Insider, 2023). A genetically modified organism (GMO) is where the DNA of an organism, plant, or microbe has been altered to change its traits through processes like biotechnology (Ferguson, 2016). Since 1996, the area of land used to grow GMOs has exceeded the land mass of the United States (Lee, 2017) & (Marshal, 2020). Land usage to farm GMOs worldwide far exceeds the landmass of the U.S., so it should come as no surprise just how important it is for society to fully understand the long-term effects of prolonged usage of GMOs. While GMOs may have some benefits, the potential hazard it can cause will have forever lasting effects with little to no cure, far outweighing its benefits. GMOs usage should be heavily restricted because of the potential harms to species and the environment. GMOs have been found to cause a wide variety of health concerns to humans and many different organisms. In the article, “The Real Problem with GMOs: Why They Give Scientists Nightmares” published by the University of Chicago, the author states, “As such, a February 2019 study found that increased exposure to glyphosate-based weed killers causes a 41% increase in the risk of cancer” (Chicago, 2019). Many studies have found glyphosate to be deadly to not only humans but also potentially other species and the environment. Herbicide-resistant crop technology has shown a great increase (527 million pounds) in usage in pesticides in a short period of time (1996-2011). Overall, pesticide usage has increased by about 7% which is estimated to be 404 million pounds (Benbrook 2012). The amount of glyphosate used on crops has gone up significantly since 1996. The fact that glyphosate has gone up is concerning since the report by the University of Chicago showed that the usage and long-term exposure to glyphosate results in early deaths and cancer. Another major issue is that the gene that makes the organism antibiotic resistant can be transferred to humans, making consumers resistant to antibiotics. An antibiotic resistant gene is a gene that destroys all antibiotics that come in contact with it. Eating foods with antibiotic-resistant genes has dangerous effects on the long-term health of individuals. If a person were to eat an antibiotic resistant plant at the same time as an antibiotic to cure an illness, the plant will destroy the antibiotic in the stomach (Ferguson, 2009). This means that one bite of an antibiotic-resistant GMO could have a chance of developing the trait, so even though the chance of developing antibiotic resistant traits is low, it is still very concerning and should be further studied. Microbes and superweeds are another reason that GMOs pose a threat to the surrounding environment. In the article “GMOs and The Environment” published by the non-GMO project, the author states, "However, GMO microorganisms pose unique environmental risks that could be unpredictable, irreversible, and profound. Microorganisms have a unique ability to transfer their genetic material to other organisms (known as horizontal gene transfer), making GMO contamination a virtual certainty. Microorganisms are present in exponentially greater numbers than GMO crops, which elevates the risk ” (Ferguson 2025). Microbes from GMOs can be passed down from one single GM crop to the soil where the single “Genetically Modified Microorganism” can find over billions of potential hosts, meaning humans cannot foresee what species or organisms it could become. This could lead to dangerous and irreversible changes to the ecosystem. In the article, “Environmental Impacts” Tasslyn Magnusson states, “The use of specific herbicides with GM herbicide-tolerant crops has led to the evolution and spread of “superweeds,” or weeds that can no longer be killed by those herbicides. Since 1996, 59 weed species have developed resistance to the herbicide glyphosate” (Magnusson, 2019). The excessive usage of glyphosate, primarily fueled by the GM crops designed to be glyphosate resistant, has sparked the evolution of “superweeds”. This can cause many issues to arise such as weeds that are now immune to glyphosate or any other pesticide. The superweeds will become uncontrollable due to the fact it will become immune to glyphosate. GMOs can cause many negative effects to humans and the environment so they should be restricted until they are carefully evaluated to ensure they are safe for humans and the environment. While GMOs could possibly increase vitamins and nutrition in people that are deficient, the potential health and environmental hazards they pose outweigh the minimal nutritional gains. An increase in nutritional value may benefit a small population but the risk of destroying an entire ecosystem is far too great to ignore. GMOs are potentially a great idea but they lack the evaluation to ensure it doesn't do more harm than good. If companies such as Bayer, (owner of Roundup Ready crops), keep ignoring the complaints and warnings from scientists, the world will end up polluted with irreversible changes to humanity and the ecosystem. Together, Bayer could help innovate, solve, and tackle these issues to ensure the safety of GMO usage. In order to make sure that Earth does not become polluted with GMOs, support local farmers by purchasing straight from the source and help the future posterity of the World. 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