Bekele-Alemu Abreham, Dessalegn-Hora Obssi, Safawo-Jarso Tura, Ligaba-Osena Ayalew
Laboratory of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States.
Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, Ethiopia.
Front Plant Sci. 2025 Mar 21;16:1547928. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1547928. eCollection 2025.
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) also known as biotech crops are crops that have been altered through genetic engineering techniques and under cultivation for approximately 28 years. By October 2024, over 30 nations have approved the cultivation of GM crops. The global area utilized for biotech crop production has reached 206.3 million hectares. Despite the substantial growth in the cultivation of these crops, debate continues between proponents and opponents of GM crops. In this article, critical concerns and common ground between the arguments of both sides were described. The main issues addressed include the naturalness of GM crops, religious perspectives, beneficial aspects, safety issues, socio-economic impacts and intellectual property rights. We argue that the classification GM crops as unnatural is a claim that lacks scientific reality. In a similar vein, comparing GM technology to the act of playing God is inappropriate. Moreover, the belief that GM crops do not contribute to yield improvements is inconsistent with empirical evidence. Additionally, the claim that foods produced from GM crops are unsafe for human consumption holds unseen concerns that is not on the ground. We have also highlighted the necessity of implementing intellectual property rights that support seed developers for a limited duration without violating farmers' rights. In conclusion, as a consumer has the right to know what they eat, labeling of GM food products fosters transparency and enhance consumer autonomy.
转基因作物（GM作物）也被称为生物技术作物，是通过基因工程技术改变的作物，已种植约28年。截至2024年10月，超过30个国家已批准种植转基因作物。全球用于生物技术作物生产的面积已达2.063亿公顷。尽管这些作物的种植面积大幅增长，但转基因作物的支持者和反对者之间的争论仍在继续。本文描述了双方论点中的关键问题和共同点。所涉及的主要问题包括转基因作物的自然性、宗教观点、有益方面、安全问题、社会经济影响和知识产权。我们认为，将转基因作物归类为非自然的说法缺乏科学依据。同样，将转基因技术与扮演上帝的行为相提并论是不合适的。此外，认为转基因作物无助于提高产量的观点与实证证据不符。此外，声称转基因作物生产的食品对人类消费不安全存在尚未显现的问题，缺乏事实依据。我们还强调了实施知识产权的必要性，即在不侵犯农民权利的前提下，在有限的时间内支持种子开发者。总之，由于消费者有权知道他们吃的是什么，转基因食品的标签可以促进透明度并增强消费者自主权。
