b'MYTH:FACT:Farmers that cultivate GMOMYTH:FACT:Humans have been selectively GMOs havecrops, such as soy and maize, requireGMOs arebreeding plants and animals for a negativeless tilling, which lowers soil erosion,not natural countless millennia. The transfer impacttopsoil loss, and fertilizer runoff.of genes across various species on theAdditionally, they can grow pest-re- by bacteria and viruses has been environment sistant GMO crops like Bt cotton,happening naturally for millions corn, and eggplant with significantlyof years, and genetic engineering fewer insecticide treatments, benefit- mimics this process.ing both human and environmental health. More than 25 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions are related to agriculture and its related landMYTH: FACT:Many long-term health studies use. In general, GM crops have raisedThere arehave been carried out on GMOs. crop yields by 22 per cent, decreasedno long- Apart from the fact that GMOs the usage of chemical pesticides byterm healthhave a long and safe track record, 37 per cent, and increased farmerstudies onthese crops are also extensively earnings by 68 per cent. Had GMGMOs and repeatedly tested for both crops not been grown in 2020, forenvironmental as well as consumer example, an additional 23.6 billionsafety. Such tests are reviewed by kilograms of carbon dioxide wouldgovernment agencies in countries have been emitted into the atmos- around the globe. Since 1992, phere, which is the equivalent ofmore than 40 government agencies adding 15.6 million cars to the roads. have given their green light for the use of GMOs in food, feed and for cultivation. A 2010 study of the European Commission states, the MYTH:FACT:Throughout their more thanmain conclusion, after more than GMOs are25 years on the market, GMO foods130 research projects covering a harmful tohave a solid, safe track recordperiod of more than 25 years of you with zero illness or death. Foodresearch and involving more than produced from GM crops is safe to500 independent research groups, eat and poses no greater risk thanis that biotechnology, in particular eating the same foods that containGMOs, are not per se riskier than, ingredients from crop plants whiche.g., conventional plant breeding were bred using traditional planttechnologies.breeding techniques. This has been confirmed by numerous regulatory agencies, national academies of science, scientists, and prominentMYTH:FACT:No single plant breeding health associations worldwide.GMOsor agricultural system can or will From close to one thousand studieswont besustainably feed 9 billion people. and publications, animal studies,able to feedThere is no magic solution. To allergenicity testing and Northeveryone onassist in achieving this aim, a American and European health datathis planet combination of conventional, organic covering 20 years of research, it wasand biotech agriculture is needed, concluded that no substantiatedas well as small-holder and large-evidence of a difference in risksscale farming systems. Transforming to human health between currententire food systems, including better commercially available geneticallytransport and storage systems, as engineered crops and conventionallywell as reducing food loss and waste, bred crops exists.will also be key to feeding a growing global population. MYTH: ItFACT:The U.S., the nation with the most acreage dedicated to growing GM crops, is seeing a significant is difficultrise in organic farming. Many farmers grow GM crops, conventional crops, and grow organically on their to nearlyfarm, depending on the crop and the economics and markets available to them. Its important to note impossiblethe IFOAM World Boards opinion in May 2002: [] The potential of GMO contamination does not alter for GM cropsthe traditional approach of certifying organic as a production method rather than an end-product and organicguarantee. Organic products are not defined or certified as being free of unwanted pollution []. farming to coexistEUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 21'