WHAT
ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT ?
The ecological consequences of introducing genetically modified
crops into the environment can be classified into three categories.
Agro-ecological consequences
Crops that have been engineered to be resistant to herbicides are
more difficult to destroy when they occur in places where they do
not belong. Then it is sometimes necessary to use less environmentally
friendly methods to eliminate these GMOs.
Similar to the traditional use of insecticides, the fact of implanting
insecticides into crops can actually lead those insects to become
resistant, which one intended to eliminate.
Direct ecological consequences
When changes occur in the insect population, the ecological changes
will probably not be restricted to one single species, rather they
will also bring about changes in the population of birds and small
mammals, that is, in the biodiversity.
But it is not at all certain that the ecological changes connected
with the introduction of genetically modified crops are any more
serious than those resulting from more traditional agricultural
practices.
Indirect ecological consequences
The most important danger lies in the transfer of foreign genes,
which have been implanted into the agricultural crops, to wild plants.
In-depth research into this topic, not only prior to, but also after
the commercial introduction of GMOs, is therefore recommended.
Those genetically modified raw materials, which are processed into
certain foodstuffs in most European countries, are nearly always
imported.
The problem with growing GMOs in third world countries is that many
of these countries do not have suitable legislation or institutions
in place to ensure that the applications of modern biotechnology
are kept on the right track. There is always a chance of third world
countries being misused as a test garden. So there is a danger that
good technology not only provides solutions, but also may simultaneously
cause new problems. |
