In this blog post, we will examine the effects of GMO foods on the human body and the controversy surrounding their safety, and explore the potential of GMO foods as an alternative solution to food shortages.
On October 7, 2014, during a parliamentary hearing on food safety, it was pointed out that consumers had difficulty obtaining accurate information about foods containing GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) ingredients, such as soy sauce, cooking oil, and starch syrup. At the time, concerns about the potential long-term harmful effects of GMO foods on human health were the primary reason for this criticism. Various potential side effects, including allergies, weakened immunity, and genetic disruption, were mentioned, and the argument that consumers should be provided with sufficient information before purchasing products gained traction. So, what exactly are GMO foods? Are they truly harmful to the human body? If there is a possibility, why are foods containing GMO ingredients still widely distributed worldwide?
GMO foods are organisms that have been artificially manipulated using genetic recombination technology, or foods made from such organisms. Genetic manipulation is a method of strengthening or weakening specific functions, and is mainly used in agricultural products. Representative GMO crops include soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola, and recently, they have been expanded to include sugar beets, potatoes, papaya, tomatoes, and rice. These crops are widely cultivated worldwide due to their high productivity and resistance to pests and diseases. The United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada are the world’s largest producers of GMO crops, and their cultivation is also expanding in developing countries such as the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Nigeria to enhance food security and productivity.
Many countries, including South Korea, allow the import and distribution of GMO foods but require labeling to enable consumers to make informed choices. Concerns about GMO foods persist, but there is no scientifically proven evidence of their harmfulness. Claims that GMOs cause allergies or cancer have been made, but no repeated, reliable scientific studies have proven these claims.
Major international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) have concluded, based on numerous independent studies, that GMO foods are not substantially different from conventional foods. A comprehensive 20-year report on GMOs published by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2016 also stated that there is no evidence that GMO foods have a negative impact on human health. As of 2023, this position remains unchanged, and the scientific community’s confidence in GMO crops continues to grow.
Of course, it is practically impossible to conduct experiments where humans are restricted to consuming only GMO foods for decades, making it challenging to conduct definitive long-term studies. However, given that billions of people worldwide have consumed GMO foods for decades, this can be viewed as a natural “large-scale human observational experiment.” As a result, there are no reliable reports to date indicating that GMO foods have caused direct harm to humans. Furthermore, no unusual side effects have been observed in livestock fed GMO grains, which are widely used as animal feed.
The most compelling reason for the necessity of GMO foods is directly linked to food security. The global population surpassed 7 billion in 2011 and is projected to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050. In response, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that food production must increase by at least 60%. However, climate change, declining farmland, desertification, rising sea levels, and environmental destruction caused by industrialization are making it difficult to even maintain current food production levels. In this situation, GMO crops with high yields, disease and pest resistance, salt tolerance, and drought tolerance are a powerful means of alleviating the food crisis.
In fact, GMO crops are already providing significant benefits to farmers in climate-vulnerable regions such as parts of Africa and South Asia. For example, the Philippines has introduced genetically modified corn, significantly increasing production, while GMO eggplant in Bangladesh, which is resistant to pests and diseases, has substantially raised the income of farming households. In the United States and Brazil, herbicide-resistant soybeans and corn have become widespread, greatly enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency.
In Europe, regulations on GMOs are relatively strict, but recently, more countries are allowing limited introduction in response to the climate crisis. The application of GMO technology is not limited to food production. For example, the development of “functional crops” enriched with specific nutrients is also actively underway.
A notable example is “Golden Rice,” which is genetically modified rice containing high levels of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, to address vitamin A deficiency-related issues such as blindness and weakened immunity among children in developing countries. Other examples include iron-fortified wheat and folate-containing bananas, among various other nutritionally enhanced GMO crops.
However, there are concerns that the development of GMO technology could be monopolized by certain multinational corporations, potentially harming food sovereignty and price stability. To prevent this, government regulation and oversight, along with the establishment of technology-sharing systems, are necessary. Public research institutions should develop and disseminate GMO technology, operate transparent patent systems, and facilitate technology transfer for public interest purposes. Only then can GMO technology function as a true global public good.
Ensuring consumer choice is also an important factor. Most countries around the world operate a “labeling system” for GMO foods, with South Korea, Japan, and the European Union (EU) applying relatively strict labeling standards. Consumers have the right to make informed choices, and sufficient explanation, verification, and transparent labeling regarding GMOs are prerequisites for gaining social trust.
In the future, GMO technology is expected to evolve from the existing “insertion-based genetic modification” to the “precision gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9)” method.
This technology enables the creation of crops that are nearly indistinguishable from natural mutations by precisely editing specific genes rather than inserting new genes into existing ones. As a result, some countries are increasingly exempting “gene-edited crops” from GMO classification and separate regulations. Ultimately, genetically modified foods are not merely products of scientific and technological advancements but have become one of the core strategies for human survival and sustainability.
While there are still differing opinions on the safety and effectiveness of GMOs, if ongoing research, transparent regulation, and ethical considerations are conducted in parallel, GMOs could become a tool that provides future generations with a healthier and more stable food environment. We should not fear GMOs unconditionally but instead focus on their potential and scientific possibilities.
