Fears of GMOs are utterly unsubstantiated

ABC’s hit show “Jimmy Kimmel Live” did a bit last year about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have been a topic of controversy, even though most products that consumers buy are GMOs.

The show interviewed people at a local farmer's market and asked why some individuals avoided GMOs only to ask them what GMOs stood for after their response. The responses were revealing. While nearly all denounced GMOs with conviction, most of them could not even answer when asked what GMO stood for.

This obtuseness was epitomized by one girl who admitted, “I know it’s bad, but to be completely honest with you, I don’t know what it is.”

While this sample may be just a few Americans, the resounding lack of education about GMOs has led to completely unwarranted disapproval of GMOs.

First off, let us describe what a genetically modified organism actually is. Too often, an image of a radioactive mutant sent to destroy all life on earth comes to mind. But in actuality, a GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, such as the insertion, deletion or modification of nucleotides, the subunits of genes.

Most GMOs on the market are modified crops that are available in markets and groceries stores. They are also used in animal feed for livestock, which people eventually consume.

According to the Huffington Post, corn is the No. 1 crop grown in the U.S., and nearly all of it — 88 percent — is genetically modified. This modification is for good reason too, as genetically modified corn can be more resistant to changes in the environment and pesky insects.

In addition, GMOs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Furthermore, Forbes has reported positive associations from GMO studies done by Animal Science geneticist Alison Van Eenennaam and research assistant Amy E. Young of UC Davis.

After reviewing 29 years of livestock productivity and health data from both before and after the introduction of genetically engineered animal feed and over 100 billion animals for field data, they found that genetically modified feed is safe and nutritionally equivalent to non-GMO feed.

There has been no indication of any unusual trends in the health of animals since 1996 when GMO crops were first harvested.

This all but extinguishes any doubts about the safety of genetically modified food.

GMOs have gotten a bad rep over the years, possibly through Hollywood or just the general apprehension of the public over mad scientists who have gone too far, but these fears are completely unsubstantiated. Rather, GMOs represent a scientific breakthrough that has been used to help benefit millions of people around the world — nothing more and nothing less.