Drivers of the various stands on the debate on GM crops: What are the real motives beyond the public rhetoric?

Hudu Zakaria

doi:10.30574/gscarr.2020.2.3.0009

Authors

Hudu Zakaria Department of Agricultural Extension, Rural Development & Gender Studies, Faculty of Agribusiness & Applied Economics, University for Development Studies. Box 1882 Tamale, Ghana.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2020.2.3.0009

Keywords:

GM crops, GM food, GM debate, Biosafety, food sovereignty

Abstract

The underlying constructs characterising the never-ending debate and lack of consensus on food are largely issues relating to potential risks and uncertainty GMOs might pose to human health and the environment, and the possible threats to national food sovereignty. This paper is a review study and as such relied solely on published literature on contentious issues surrounding GM crops and its food derivatives. Most of the issues raised in available literature against GMOs on the grounds of health and environmental risks, and national food sovereignty concerns are overhyped, speculative and fear-mongering. Public interest and safety will be better assured and safeguarded if GMOs proponents and opponents reached consensus on standardization regarding tolerable level of harm and acceptable safety limit in interpreting impact assessment results of GMOs on health and environment.

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