Among them, the most worrying thing about genetically modified crops is that many crops contain insecticidal toxins and accumulate a large number of herbicides. What impact will these unnatural crops have on the earth's environment and ecology? Worries about human health? Even questions about local agriculture in Taiwan Province Province have been raised for discussion.
(A) the destruction of the environment and ecological balance
Soybean with herbicide-resistant gene has caused water and soil pollution due to large amount of herbicide application. Professor Guo Huaren from the Agricultural College of National Taiwan University mentioned that genetically modified soybeans are actually killing beneficial organisms while killing pests, resulting in a decrease in biodiversity. For example, in Monsanto, USA, a large number of bees on the farm died after eating genetically modified corn pollen, and even induced pests to develop drug resistance, which led to the variation of pests, making pests become immortal "super pests" and threatening other crops.
(2) endangering human health
The effects of long-term consumption on human health are still lacking in the world, including: whether it leads to changes in the original absorption function of the human body, normal secretion of hormones, gene mutation, changes in human metabolic pathways, allergies and so on. These studies are still unclear. Professor Renhe Center of Gravity in Guo Hua said: "The risk of human eating genetically modified food has not been seriously studied, but many animal experiments have pointed out that there are problems. 」
Allergy: Professor Guo Huaren said that as early as the United States 1989, in order to improve the nutritional quality of soybeans, consumers had an allergic reaction unexpectedly. In addition, many indirect evidences also show that the allergic population in western countries increased from 1996 to 2000. Although it is not clear that it is caused by genetically modified foods, the number of allergic people in the United States is increasing, and researchers estimate that it is possible.
Toxin residue: Professor Guo Huaren questioned: "Will the toxin of genetically modified crops remain in the human body? When people eat herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, etc. In genetically modified crops, toxins may accumulate in the human body. Over time, will it lead to the decline of human immunity? Resistance to antibiotics? All these problems will pose a great threat to human health.
Carcinogenesis and teratogenesis: In September, 20 12, French scholar Serraglini pointed out that mice were fed with genetically modified crops and non-genetically modified crops with or without herbicides. Results After one year, the cancer rate of mice increased greatly. It is even reported that Argentina began to plant genetically modified soybeans in the11990s, and used the "annual spring" to weed. Later, a research report pointed out that women living near the planting area are prone to teratogenesis and abortion.
Seed patents marginalize many farmers.
The biggest difference between genetically modified seeds and non-genetically modified seeds is that non-genetically modified seeds can be replanted, and you have to buy seeds from the seed company again every round of genetically modified seeds. "This is because multinational companies have planted seeds that cannot be replanted in order to ensure their rights and interests. Chen, a professor in the Department of Health and Nutrition of Taipei Medical College, said that genetically modified seeds are protected by patents (seed patents) and it is illegal for farmers to keep them for their own use. In addition, because genetically modified seeds can't be planted again, in the end, farmers still have to buy genetically modified seeds from multinational companies. Professor Guo Huaren said that thousands of farmers were marginalized and even committed suicide because they could not afford seeds.
(d) Contamination of non-GM crops by GM genes
Professor Guo Huaren said that transgenic genes may be transferred to similar non-transgenic crops through pollen transmission, which will affect the purity and value of crops and the export of agricultural products in the region in the future. Although genetically modified crops are not open in Taiwan Province Province, it is difficult to ensure that farmers steal genetically modified seeds themselves. Taiwan Province Province really can't ignore the possible impact and impact of this genetic pollution.
(e) confusion about vegetarians
Professor Chen said that because transgenic technology can recombine genetic genes between different species, genes such as animals, plants and bacteria can be implanted with genetic codes. Although the appearance of crops will not change, they actually eat plants containing animal genes without knowing it, which is undoubtedly extremely unfair to vegetarians.
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