Citation needed
To me, the arguments against GMO’s fall into the same camp as climate science denial. It is based on fringe arguments circulated by quacks without basis in actual fact.
I would appreciate you to further elaborate on this. Because I don’t think cost and safety are opposed in that aspect. GMO’s don’t have any different safety requirements than non GMO’s? They undergo the same processing?
Published in the peer reviewed journal “Nature” last week
There is widespread agreement among scientists that genetically modified foods are safe to consume1,2 and have the potential to provide substantial benefits to humankind3. However, many people still harbour concerns about them or oppose their use4,5. In a nationally representative sample of US adults, we find that as extremity of opposition to and concern about genetically modified foods increases, objective knowledge about science and genetics decreases, but perceived understanding of genetically modified foods increases. Extreme opponents know the least, but think they know the most. Moreover, the relationship between self-assessed and objective knowledge shifts from positive to negative at high levels of opposition. Similar results were obtained in a parallel study with representative samples from the United States, France and Germany, and in a study testing attitudes about a medical application of genetic engineering technology (gene therapy). This pattern did not emerge, however, for attitudes and beliefs about climate change.
I guess that is good that people are more literate about the science of climate change, we need to catch up on GMOs.
The Belgian research institute VIB released a report in September 2016 attempting to quantify the impact of GMOs on the environment:
Overall, the cultivation of GM crops over the last 18 years has delivered substantial benefits for the environment. Insect-resistant crops have resulted in a 230 million kg decrease in the use of insecticides. Herbicide-tolerant crops have led to reductions in fuel use and CO2 emissions of 6.3 billion liters and 16.8 million metric tons respectively, by supporting no-till farming. Overall, GM crops have produced an environmental benefit of 37%.
There are so many more studies like this. When you can build pest resistance into the crops, you end up using less insecticides. Certain crops, like roundup ready corn, focus on one pesticide, but that is not the only GMO in use. Bt corn has a protein in it that is toxic to insects that would reduce yield, and that is accomplished without the use of pesticides.
The selective skepticism on GMOs because Monsanto have made some bad PR moves is insane. This is technology that can reduce water usage, increase crop yields, make crops more temperature tolerant, and generally help feed our growing population while reducing the climate impact.