GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs): FOOD SECURITY OR THREAT TO FOOD SAFETY

Biotechnology is a vital issue that impacts all of us. Development of genetically modified organisms is one of the highest achievements of this technology. It is being released throughout our environment and deployed with superficial or no risk assessments about its matchless powers to harm life. Within the next few years, many types of transgenic commodities will be ready for commercialization, including varieties with higher yields, greater tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses, resistance to herbicides, improved nutritional quality, and novel pharmaceutical proteins. Transgenes present therein are expected to disperse to nearby weedy and wild relatives through pollenmediated gene flow. Information is scarce about health hazards, such as toxicity in GM crops. Therefore urgently need publicly available ecological assessments of the risks and benefits of transgenic crops before new varieties are released.