Are genetically modified organisms the answer to a climate resilient biosphere?

Humans keep moving forward and opening new doors facilitated by the fast-developing technology, facing challenges and experimenting new things. Currently the main global issue in focus is Climate Change. The increase in population induce exploitation of natural resources which causes its declining pushing people to use more harmful resources to replace them with. People are now taking several steps with the help of biotechnology to solve the problems related to Climate Change. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one such result of that effort.  

Through this article, we hope to investigate the truth behind two major claims.

CLAIM 1  

Genetically modified organisms are safe and Nutritious and be able to feed millions as a solution to food crisis 

CLAIM 2

GMO’s help to mitigate climate change

What is a GMO?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The specific targeted modification of DNA using biotechnology has allowed scientists to improve the genetic makeup of an organism without unwanted characteristics tagging along. More can be read  here.  

It started off with some genetically modified crops which were developed to be more resilient to climate change impacts, such as drought or extreme weather conditions. For example, crops may be engineered to require less water, or to be able to survive in hotter or colder temperatures. This could potentially increase food security and reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture.

GMOs that require less water

Some genetically modified crops have been engineered to require less water, making them more resilient to drought conditions. These crops are designed to have more efficient water use, which means they can produce higher yields with less water. This can be especially important in areas where water resources are limited or unreliable. It also benefits countries suffering from food scarcity without potential to continue agriculture due to climate change. 

GMOs with restricted transpiration

Another aspect is some genetically modified crops have been developed with genes that control the opening and closing of tiny pores on the leaves called stomata. By controlling the stomata in response to water availability, these crops can reduce water loss through transpiration, which is the process by which water evaporates from the leaves. “Genetic engineering for drought tolerance requires the expression of certain stress-related genes.” More can read via, here. This can help the plant conserve water during times of drought.

GMOs that access water from deep soils

Other genetically modified crops have been designed to have deeper and more extensive root systems, allowing them to access deeper soil moisture during periods of drought. This can help the crops survive and continue to grow even when water is scarce.

Farmers are under severe pressure, due to the unfulfilled demand for water. The preferable weather conditions for agriculture are strongly affected by climate change and this directly impacts their livelihood. Changes in weather mainly affect the growth of a plant. Prolonged droughts pose serious damages to the maintenance of healthy plants. Genetically modified crops with improved drought tolerance have the potential to help farmers and communities cope with the challenges of climate change including food crisis.

FACT 1: Are GMOs really safe and nutritious to consume?

However, we are now passing 8 million in the world population, which is beyond the planets carrying capacity. If we choose to grow GMO’s to feed the population, the nutritional value, physical and mental wellbeing also should be considered. The impact evaluations are still in the experimental level. Therefore, we cannot say that GMO’s are the solution to food crises of the world.  However, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits of these crops, as well as their impact on the environment and biodiversity.  

There has always been debates about genetically modified organisms.  Through our analysis we found several tweets, blog posts, pages and web sites mention that, GMOs may actually contribute to climate change by promoting intensive agriculture practices.  

FACT 2: Do GMOs really help mitigate Climate Change?

Majority argue that GMO contribute to climate change by practicing monoculture and heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices can lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity, which ultimately leaves a negative impact on the environment and exacerbate climate change.

Another concern related to GMOs and climate change is the potential for genetic contamination of non-GMO crops and wild plant species. This can occur when GMO crops crossbreed with non-GMO crops or wild relatives, leading to unintended genetic changes and potentially have a negative impact on ecosystems.

Overall, the relationship between GMOs and climate change is complex and multifaceted. While GMOs may have the potential to help address some of the challenges posed by climate change, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and unintended consequences associated with their use.

GMO monoculture can have a number of negative effects on climate change. Monoculture refers to the practice of growing a single crop in a large area, which is often used in industrial agriculture to maximize yields and efficiency. However, this practice can have a number of negative impacts on the environment and contribute to climate change by several ways:

Growing the same crop in the same area year after year can lead to soil degradation, causing the soil to becomes depleted of nutrients and organic matter. This can reduce soil fertility, increase soil erosion, and release carbon stored in the soil into the atmosphere leading climate change. Monoculture often relies on heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides to maintain yields. These chemicals can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Deforestation also happens with monoculture, because it often requires large areas of land.  Which contribute to climate change by releasing stored carbon in trees into the atmosphere. Monoculture also leads to loss of biodiversity. This can have negative impacts on ecosystem services, such as pollination, and reduce the resilience of ecosystems to climate change.

Other Negative Impacts of GMOs

Genetic contamination of non-GMO crops can have a number of negative environmental impacts. Genetic contamination occurs when genes from genetically modified crops (GMOs) crossbreed with non-GMO crops or wild relatives, leading to unintended genetic changes. One of the main concerns is that genetic contamination can lead to the loss of genetic diversity in non-GMO crops, which can reduce their resilience and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. This can be especially problematic for farmers who rely on traditional varieties. It can also leads to extinction of traditional crop varieties.  

Another concern is that genetic contamination can lead to the unintentional spread of GMO traits, such as herbicide resistance, to weedy or invasive plant species. This can have negative impacts on ecosystems and also agricultural systems, as these traits can lead to increased spread of weeds and herbicide use, and reduce the effectiveness of weed control measures. This can leads to loss of biodiversity.

In a Nutshell

Overall, GMOs have the potential to contribute in efforts taken to mitigate climate change through their ability to improve agricultural productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The environmental impacts of genetic contamination of non-GMO crops suggest the need for strong regulatory frameworks to ensure that GMO crops are properly contained and managed.  The risks associated with genetic contamination should be properly assessed and mitigated. It also highlights the importance of promoting biodiversity and maintaining genetic diversity in our crops and ecosystems. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential risks and unplanned consequences associated with their use, it takes time nevertheless we want to consider the impact on the environment and biodiversity caused by using GMO’s.