Question

The NAS report (the evidence from which is supported by the information presented in the lecture) states the following: "The nationwide data on [GE crops] in the United States do not show a significant signature of genetic-engineering technology on the rate of yield increase. This does not mean that such increases will not be realized in the future." How would this finding strike you if GE crops had been used in the field for 5 years? How does it strike you given that the major GE crops have been used in the field for 20 years (with 10+ years of pre-field development)?

Answer 1

One of the major issues with GM crops remains thereversion of mutation or failure of the inserted gene in the vector, leading to overall failure of the crop to survive in the environment. According to the information, the crops under cultivation did not show any GM signature which clearly means two possibilities:

1. The crop failed to show/express the gene of interest and hence no agricultural benefit could be obtained
2. The crop expressed the gene of interest and any harmfulgenetic effects were not observed.

Under both conditions, the crops seem to be absolutely safe for human consumption as well as environmental sustainability. Hence, it is very likely that these crops will not cause any harmful effects even after 10, 15 or 25 years.