The Dilemma: To use or not use, GMOs?
The development of genetically
engineered cops, categorized as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is
expected to have great potential in increasing the ability of the population to
feed, fuel and heal itself in light of the growing global population and
adverse climatic conditions. This post will seek to understand the benefits and
drawbacks of GMOs and whether they can provide a solid solution in helping
achieve and sustain SDG 2 “Zero Hunger”.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms have been around since the mid-1990s, it aims to achieve the modification of crops by selecting novel gene traits from one crop or organism and incorporating it into the gene of interest of related species (Oloo et al., 2020). Nowadays, many crops are genetically modified to provide beneficial traits to farmers. The most widely grown GM crops in Africa are maize, cotton, and soybean with traits for herbicide tolerance, disease resistance and drought tolerance.
GMOs are slowly but steadily becoming a part of modern agriculture in Africa, albeit mainly in minor ways. As of 2019, only five of Africa's 47 countries permitted the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs): South Africa, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Egypt, and Nigeria
The Promise for GM Technologies in South Africa
South Africa is one of the few
developing countries to join the growing list of countries that have commercialized
genetically modified crops. The country’s agricultural economy is dual in
nature, with a well-developed commercial sector and a sizable subsistence
sector. Commercial agriculture is for the most part highly organized, 75
percent of agricultural output comes from this sector. With South Africa being
an early adopter of GM technology, it is growing a total of 2.1 million hectares
of GM crops; 98% of cotton, 85% of soybean, and 73% of both white and yellow
maize (Bothma et al., 2010). The economic benefits of crop genetic modification
are readily demonstrated, higher yields increased farm profitability for both
small-scale and large-scale farms by $506.9 million (Gouse et al., 2010) and
high farm profits are important for the country’s gross domestic product. As a result of the introduction of GM crops,
consumers will also benefit from indirect health benefits. It is indicated in recent research evidence that
GM maize has lower levels of cancer-causing potential in comparison to
conventional and organic maize (Bothma et al., 2010). In addition, it has significantly reduced up to 33 percent of the use of herbicides and pesticides
(Brookes and Barfoot, 2020), which lowers the risk of human poisoning from water
reservoirs. Nonetheless, new farming systems
accelerated by GM technologies have resulted in fewer fuel usages and
consequently reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Concerning the escalating climate change situation, the adoption of GMOs is an
environmental gain, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to SDGs.
Challenges to GM Crop Production in
South AfricaDespite South Africa's early adoption of GM technology, the dispute about GM crops persists. It is afraid that GMO businesses' exorbitant costs may force farmers into unforeseen vicious cycles of taking out loans to afford GM seeds. Another big difficulty arising from agricultural production in South Africa is the country's socioeconomic issues. The majority of African food exports to Europe and Asia, where GM products are frequently seen as "Frankenstein foods" and avoided by customers. Some European countries want verification from exporting countries that their beef is not fed genetically modified corn. Exporting countries are now accountable for building an adequate labeling and traceability system, which has cost implications that may have an impact on technological advancements. More realistically, restricted funding for agricultural biotechnology research is a significant hurdle to South Africa's increased involvement in the industry.
South Africa has made significant
progress in the adoption of GM crops, and I do believe there is a hopeful future lies within GM crops.
Despite South Africa's early adoption of GM technology, the dispute about GM crops persists. It is afraid that GMO businesses' exorbitant costs may force farmers into unforeseen vicious cycles of taking out loans to afford GM seeds. Another big difficulty arising from agricultural production in South Africa is the country's socioeconomic issues. The majority of African food exports to Europe and Asia, where GM products are frequently seen as "Frankenstein foods" and avoided by customers. Some European countries want verification from exporting countries that their beef is not fed genetically modified corn. Exporting countries are now accountable for building an adequate labeling and traceability system, which has cost implications that may have an impact on technological advancements. More realistically, restricted funding for agricultural biotechnology research is a significant hurdle to South Africa's increased involvement in the industry.
South Africa has made significant
progress in the adoption of GM crops, and I do believe there is a hopeful future lies within GM crops.
I enjoyed reading more on GMO crops and you point of view having written a blog post on this myself. I liked how you referred to GM goods as "Frankenstein foods" which are avoided by consumers. I find this quite interesting that European consumers still choose to avoid GMO crops when technology is such the 21st century!
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