In this blog post, we will examine the principles behind the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their current applications, and reflect on the pros and cons surrounding GMOs as well as the need for further research.
As biotechnology has advanced, research aimed at increasing the productivity and nutritional value of seeds has been actively pursued. A GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) refers to an organism created by using genetic recombination technology to combine useful genes from one organism with those of another, or by modifying specific genes to confer desired traits. Technologies used to create GMOs include gene transfer methods using Agrobacterium, the particle gun method, and electroporation. For example, genetically modified plants can be created by inserting a specific gene into a plasmid, introducing it into plant cells via a vector, and then selecting cells in which the desired gene is expressed and inducing them to redifferentiate into plants. A plasmid is a DNA molecule that exists separately from the chromosome within a bacterial cell and can replicate independently. In this process, selection markers—such as antibiotic resistance genes—are sometimes used to identify cells into which the desired gene has been successfully introduced. This process is often described as the “Trojan horse method,” drawing a parallel to how the Greek army used soldiers hidden inside the Trojan Horse to capture the city. In addition, the particle gun method involves firing microscopic metal particles encased in DNA at plant cells at high speed to introduce the DNA into the cells. When the particles fired by the gene gun enter the cell, the DNA can be incorporated into the cell’s genetic material. The electroporation method involves exposing cells to a brief but strong electrical pulse to temporarily increase the permeability of the cell membrane and introduce DNA molecules into the cell. The commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops began in earnest in 1996, and since then, the scope of their cultivation and use has steadily expanded. As of 2024, genetically modified crops were being cultivated in more than 30 countries, and when including countries that import these crops not only for cultivation but also for uses such as food and animal feed, GMOs are widely utilized in global agriculture and food systems. In 2024, genetically modified crops were cultivated in 32 countries worldwide, with major crops including soybeans, corn, cotton, and rapeseed. GMOs hold high research value because they can be utilized not only in food—as is commonly thought—but also in various fields such as pharmaceuticals and the development of new materials. However, GMOs remain a subject of controversy within the scientific community and society at large, and the clash of opinions between proponents and opponents continues.
First, the arguments in favor of GMOs can be broadly categorized into (1) increasing crop yields to provide food for humans, (2) improving the nutritional value of food, and (3) utilizing plants for applications such as pharmaceutical development. Contrary to past projections that the world population would double by 2050, current forecasts by international organizations estimate that the global population will reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050. Therefore, improving productivity and sustainability to ensure a stable food supply for the growing population remains a critical challenge. Given that increasing yields and enabling crop cultivation even in harsh environments are considered key solutions, the use of GMOs holds potential to contribute to food production. GMOs offer the potential to enhance adaptability to growing conditions and improve the nutritional quality of plants. For example, research has been conducted to increase the proportion of health-promoting fatty acids in oil-producing plants or to develop crops with enhanced nutritional content.
Furthermore, plants can serve as important resources for drug development, and various plant-derived substances have been utilized in the development of pharmaceuticals and therapeutic agents. Using biotechnology, researchers can also explore methods for producing substances such as vitamins, specific therapeutic proteins, vaccines, antibodies, growth factors, and anticoagulants in plants. As such, GMOs are not merely a technology for increasing food production; they also hold the potential to enhance the nutritional value of food and be utilized in pharmaceutical development.
The arguments against GMOs primarily include (1) fears regarding genetic modification, (2) the need for case-by-case risk assessments, (3) the spread and cross-breeding of genes, (4) the impact on insects and ecosystems, (5) the impact on human health, and (6) differing regulatory and labeling standards among countries. First, people harbor fears about what impact foods with artificially modified genes—rather than “natural” ones—might have in the future. Furthermore, it is argued that because there is such a wide variety of environments on Earth, it is difficult to thoroughly study the risks that GMO plants pose to the environment on a case-by-case basis. Since experiments assessing the risks of GMOs are often conducted in controlled environments under specific climatic conditions, the results may differ in actual outdoor environments where various factors—such as temperature, wind, and flowering times—are present. It is also impossible to rule out the possibility of unintended cross-pollination, such as when pollen from GMO corn growing next to a fence spreads and cross-pollinates with non-GMO corn. The possibility that pollen from genetically modified plants could be carried to other areas by insects or the wind is also a factor that must be considered when assessing environmental risks. Furthermore, while there are concerns about the potential for allergies caused by GMO foods, GMO foods currently approved for distribution generally undergo procedures to evaluate each individual product for toxicity, allergenicity, nutritional characteristics, and unintended changes. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that GMO foods currently circulating in the international market have passed safety assessments in their respective countries, and that no adverse health effects attributable to the GMO foods themselves have been identified as a result of their consumption by the general public in countries where they are approved. However, the WHO also emphasizes that, since the inserted genes and traits vary among GMOs, safety should be assessed on a product-by-product basis rather than by grouping all GMO foods into a single category. Furthermore, concerns have been raised that, because GMO labeling and regulatory standards vary by country, it is difficult for consumers to choose GMO foods based on their preferences.
Both the arguments for and against the risks of GMOs have their own merits and warrant thorough consideration. However, rather than arguing that research itself should be banned out of concern for the risks of GMOs, it is necessary to view GMOs from a broader perspective. In developing countries facing food shortages, there is still an urgent need to address the issue of “food security”—that is, to devise measures for people suffering from hunger. The environments suitable for plant growth are limited, and it is socially and economically difficult for other countries to provide sustained food aid sufficient to solve the problem of hunger. Furthermore, the agricultural environment is becoming increasingly complex due to accelerated industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. If GMO seeds that can thrive even in regions with predominantly hot and dry climates or unfavorable agricultural conditions are developed and made available, there may be a possibility of resolving food security issues. Of course, if it is feasible to use existing varieties with verified safety profiles rather than GMOs that have not undergone sufficient safety assessments, that would be preferable. However, in regions with harsh climate and soil conditions where food production itself is difficult, there is a need to research and utilize new agricultural technologies. In fact, from the perspective of people facing food shortages, choosing GMO foods that have undergone thorough safety assessments could be one solution to alleviate the suffering caused by a lack of food. Furthermore, since GMO technology has been the subject of research and commercial use for decades, it is no longer accurate to view GMOs as a technology still in its infancy. While research findings to date have not identified evidence that approved GMO foods pose significantly greater health risks than conventional foods, individual safety assessments and ongoing research are necessary whenever new traits and new biotechnology are developed. Banning GMO research outright could limit opportunities to verify and utilize new biotechnologies. Therefore, rather than debating a ban on GMO research or the production of GMO seeds, it is far more important to identify the pros and cons through sufficient research and safety assessments, and to establish necessary regulatory and management measures based on those results.
Furthermore, opposing GMO research solely out of fear of what is “artificial” rather than “natural” is unlikely to constitute sufficient scientific grounds on its own. Since the Neolithic era, farmers have continuously domesticated plant species by selecting plant traits and crossbreeding varieties. By crossbreeding two plants of different varieties and selectively cultivating varieties with traits different from those of wild plants, humans have altered the genetic characteristics of crops over a long period of time. It is simply that, in the past, humans did not directly manipulate specific genes in a laboratory as we do today; rather, they have long been selecting and crossbreeding crops with desired traits. However, since traditional breeding and modern genetic modification technologies differ in their methods, precision, and application, the two cannot be viewed as entirely the same. Modern GMO crops undergo safety assessments regarding human health and the environment in accordance with national regulations, from the development stage through to market distribution. In the United States, for example, the FDA, along with the USDA and EPA, operate a system to regulate biotechnology products and verify their safety within their respective jurisdictions. Therefore, since biotech crops—at least those subject to regulation—are distributed on the market only after undergoing safety assessments, consumers need to evaluate specific products and their risks rather than making judgments based solely on vague fears. British environmental activist Mark Lynas is known for having campaigned against GMOs in the late 1990s but later changing his stance to advocate for them. After reviewing the scientific evidence on GMOs, he revised his previous opposition and has since worked to raise awareness of their benefits through lectures and writings.
Scientific progress has advanced at such an astonishing pace that it is now possible to alter the genetic properties of living organisms. GMOs offer not only a solution to food shortages but also the opportunity to develop substances needed to treat rare or incurable diseases, as well as new materials that can improve daily life. However, if GMO research were banned solely out of concern for potential side effects, it could cause immense disappointment to those who live with hope, anticipating future advancements in biotechnology. That said, we must not ignore all potential risks associated with GMOs. The key is not to blindly support or oppose the technology of GMOs as a whole, but to scientifically assess and manage risks based on each specific crop, trait, and intended use. If GMOs in food are appropriately labeled so that consumers can identify their presence, the choice to eat or avoid GMO foods can be left to the individual. Even if future research confirms that specific GMO foods are harmless to humans, the right of consumers who are wary of GMO crops must still be respected. Companies and governments must provide consumers with easy-to-understand information regarding whether foods are genetically modified and ensure that appropriate labeling and management are carried out in accordance with each country’s regulations. Rather than opposing GMO research itself, research should continue while developing regulations and research in a direction that balances consumer choice regarding GMO foods with safety considerations.
