{"id":8223,"date":"2017-06-27T07:47:43","date_gmt":"2017-06-27T05:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carnisostenibili.cvdemo.online\/en\/?p=8223"},"modified":"2017-06-26T16:48:26","modified_gmt":"2017-06-26T14:48:26","slug":"gmos-yes-or-no","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carnisostenibili.it\/en\/gmos-yes-or-no\/","title":{"rendered":"GMOs, Yes or No?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the most controversial and recurrent aspects concerns GMOs<\/strong> (Genetically Modified Organisms), which are often held accountable for endangering human health <\/strong>and the environment<\/strong> and for representing the highly mechanized agro-food model focused on monocultures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Although many studies have been carried out on this scientifically unsound topic<\/strong> from different viewpoints, the issues surrounding GMOs never fail to trigger disputes between supporters and detractors<\/strong> of this form of innovation<\/strong>. Please see below some of the main points of the debate, beginning with the definition of GMO.<\/p>\n

According to the Article 2 directive 2001\/18\/CE of March 12th 2001, the term \u201cGenetically modified organism<\/strong>\u201d refers to any \u201corganism whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and\/or natural recombination\u201d. In fact, it is well known that the genetic characteristics of an animal or plant species can be modified<\/strong> and improved.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it is important to note that the GMO techniques<\/strong> \u201con trial\u201d are those that have been developed over the past 40 years – GMO techniques use genetic engineering to modify genes through a transgenesis process<\/strong>, that is the insertion of a foreign gene (transgene) within the genome of a living organism – and that enable one to change some of the features<\/strong> of living species \u201cin the laboratory\u201d.<\/p>\n

For example, it is possible to increase the resistance of a plant to pesticides<\/strong> or certain pests, improve its nutritional profile<\/strong> and its ability to adapt to adverse weather conditions (e.g. by increasing its resistance to drought).<\/p>\n

For many years, the WHO<\/strong> (World Health Organization) has declared that the GMOs currently on the market do not present risks to human health<\/a>. However, a large percentage of general public is opposed<\/strong> to using GMOs in the agro-food sector, especially because people cannot benefit directly<\/strong> from this new technology due to the risks involved.<\/p>\n

In order to help the average consumer to distinguish between scientific evidence, opinions and ideologies<\/strong>, the FAO<\/strong> provides an easily comprehensible summary of the possible positive and negative impacts of GM crops<\/a>, and a brief analysis of their verifiability.<\/p>\n

There are certainly significant environmental and ethical issues<\/strong>. Crop simplification appears to be one of the most important issues concerning the environment<\/strong>, which could probably lead to biodiversity loss<\/strong>. This concern is aggravated by the lack of knowledge of whether these species are more invasive than traditional ones, which could lead to changes in the ecosystems <\/strong>in adjacent areas to those in which GMOs are introduced.<\/p>\n

However ethically the main issue concerns the patentability of GM seeds<\/strong> and the possible economic repercussions<\/strong> that the development of an oligopolistic market in the hands of few companies could have on small farmers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

But where and why are GMOs <\/strong>used? The varieties of GM plants<\/strong> on the market today were developed to be resistant<\/strong> to agricultural pests<\/strong> (Bacillus thuringiensis BT), tolerant to herbicides<\/strong> (Herbicide tolerant, HT) and resistant to viruses<\/strong>. Recently European farmers have been authorised to grow in Amflora potatoes (EH 92- 527-1) that are rich in starch for the paper industry<\/strong>, with the aim of increasing the level of productivity of the supply chain in question.<\/p>\n

In the near future, genetically modified plants<\/strong> will be commercialized for their resistance to pests and herbicides, even if it is essential to develop plant varieties that can adapt to adverse environmental and climatic conditions<\/strong>: in fact studies are being carried out to develop plants that can adapt to drought or significant changes in temperature<\/strong>, or are able to grow in soils rich in certain minerals or metals.<\/p>\n

Worldwide the main GM crops are soybeans<\/strong>, corn<\/strong> and cotton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Sustainable Meat Project<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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