5 secrets that Monsanto's 'giant' won't tell you.

(Baonghean.vn) - You've heard the controversies surrounding genetically modified foods (GMOs), and while they are often claimed to be safe to eat, the story behind GMOs is much more complex. Here are five things you need to know about GMO products.

International court condemns Monsanto for destroying Vietnam's environment.

1. GMO companies are increasing their control over food sources.

Monsanto now owns an astonishing number of seed companies that were once its competitors. This has left grocery shoppers frustrated, with dozens of food brands coming from just a few corporations.

This can be easily confirmed by observing seed-producing corporations. Biotechnology companies like Monsanto, Dow, Dupont, and Syngenta produce not only genetically modified seeds but also control the entire food production system.

Soybean fields treated with Roundup herbicide.

If profit comes from selling a product that farmers need to buy, that profit can be multiplied many times over if a system of supporting materials and chemicals is created that is inseparable from the product being sold.

For example, these companies bundle seeds with specific chemicals, such as Monsanto soybeans which are formulated to withstand Roundup, a herbicide produced by Monsanto itself. If a farmer plants this soybean variety, they will have to buy Roundup.

For farmers, it's not easy to refuse to grow GMOs either. In our increasingly integrated food industry, farmers have fewer and fewer choices, and the advice they hear every day is "GMOs." This isn't just happening in the US; it's becoming increasingly common worldwide.

2. GMOs are not as good as advertised.

GMOs are not as good as advertised. Photo: Daily.mk

GMO companies often fail to do what they're supposed to do. You may have heard the saying, "we need GMOs to feed the world," assuming that only high-yielding, genetically modified crops can provide enough food for a growing population. However, this is not true.

Eat "golden rice," it will cure vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Unfortunately, the β-carotene in "golden rice" is difficult for the body to absorb without fats and oils, which are not always readily available in places where people live in poverty with austere diets.

There are many natural, non-GMO foods, like carrots and sweet potatoes, that are rich in vitamin A and don't cost millions of dollars to produce and develop. "Golden rice" is great PR, but it doesn't solve the world's nutritional problems.

Do we really need some kind of scientific process to prevent apples from turning brown when we cut them? The idea that GMOs prevent apples from browning when cut is purely a marketing ploy, a way to make the product look fresher than it actually is, making it easier to get them onto fast-food shelves.

3. More GMOs mean the use of more chemicals.

More GMOs mean the use of more chemicals. Photo: Bpn.ge

Many genetically modified crops are able to tolerate certain herbicides, such as Roundup, which is known to be carcinogenic. Therefore, growing GMOs means farmers will use the associated chemicals in various ways. These chemical residues in the environment threaten the health of farmers and agricultural workers, as well as the communities where they live. The chemical control systems in place to ensure food safety are often very weak.

What's even worse is that, due to the increased use of chemicals, natural predators are also being wiped out. Over time, weeds and insects develop resistance to the chemicals used against them. The more we use them, the faster they adapt.

Many common herbicides are no longer effective on farms, biotechnology companies are encouraging the use of even more toxic chemicals, ultimately leading to a dangerous chemical arms race in which humanity and the environment will inevitably be the losers.

4. GMOs and organic agricultural products cannot coexist.

GMO corn is being grown in Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

Trying to keep a farm GMO-free is harder than you might think. Some GMOs aren't grown on this farm, but can be introduced from neighboring GMO farms, or even farms miles away, as pollen from genetically modified crops can travel by wind and interbreed with the non-GMO variety, eventually carrying the genes of the genetically modified plant.

For example, when the DNA of fruits, vegetables, and grains has been altered, and its pollen is mixed with the original variety, the original variety will also be genetically modified. This will spread and interbreed with the original variety through pollination. This is an irreversible process because the DNA of these genetically modified organisms is the "dominant" gene. For farmers growing organic produce, they will face serious problems as their crops gradually become modified and GMOs take over.

5. Studies on the safety of GMOs are all "biased".

Photo: sustainablepulse.com

There is a great deal of existing research on the safety and effectiveness of GMOs, but the problem is that too much of it is funded or influenced by the biotechnology industry. Worryingly, this includes research conducted at public universities. While GMO proponents claim there is a “scientific consensus” on GMOs, or that leading scientific institutions are on their side, we really need more independent, safe, long-term research on the impact of genetically modified foods on health and the environment.

GMOs have caused a catastrophe in the plant world, distorting DNA and spreading it through the pollen of many plants worldwide. Now, biotechnology companies are continuing to expand and are beginning to pursue dominance over animals. Indeed, there are many reasons to be concerned about GMOs. However, consumers are completely uninformed when participating in this diverse and colorful food market.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)