Decisions in favor of the food pantry are the entire responsibility of the Government. And it is precisely the seed market that promotes this ability of people to generate their own food. Minister Ángel Manero assures that the moratorium period must be brought forward to begin the cultivation of GMOs before 2035 (La República, 2024). Transgenic cultivation poses more than one risk both in agriculture and in proven harmful effects on the environment and on people’s health. From here we want to reach the reasons for our disagreement and the explanation of the possible risks that the legalization of GMOs poses for our country.
In agricultural matters, we will begin by pointing out that, in general, Peru does not stand out for having extensive agricultural territories like Brazil or Argentina, where the fields are large and homogeneous. Furthermore, monoculture is an essential requirement for planting GMOs if the objective is to obtain significant profits. In the same sense, agriculture on our coast does not have immense extensions, showing, on the contrary, a differentiation strategy in which export fruit trees stand out. The agricultural practices of genetically modified crops in a country like ours already devalue our essence, characterized by its biodiversity, its successful gastronomic culture, its numerous organic crops for export and local consumption.
On the other hand, Minister Manero assures that only transgenic seeds of cotton and corn will be integrated. Taking into account that the current cotton-growing area in Peru is reduced in relation to the 70s, will it be profitable to replace export crops that are already successful and widely accepted in the international market? As for corn, indeed, it is planted and of the hard yellow type for animal breeding, as well as starchy corn for human consumption. And here is one of the most acute discrepancies because it is omitted that we have corn breeds that can be corrupted and no one guarantees that this will not happen.
Along with the argument that “GM crops can alleviate agrarian crises”, it is added that food production can be increased and hunger can be alleviated. The reality is different. Only 1% of the more than 206 million hectares devoted to GM crops are used for products for direct human consumption (papaya, potato, eggplant, yellow zucchini, apple and pineapple). The remaining 99% is dedicated mainly to 4 crops: soy, corn, cotton and canola (AgbioInvestor, 2024) which are destined for animal husbandry, the manufacture of oils and inputs for ultra-processed products. With more than 206 million hectares planted with transgenic crops, can we be sure that progress has been made in alleviating world hunger?
Regarding environmental risk, those of us who are dedicated to agricultural sciences know that in nature it is observed the pollination process. That is, in the open field, the genetic flow from pollen is transmitted freely by insects, birds, wind and water. Thus, spontaneous “crosses” between races of corn often occur, for example. The same can occur when releasing transgenic crops, since these can contaminate neighboring crops, and even those further away. For example, in Piura, transgenic corn from Colombia was identified despite the ban on these following the moratorium in Peru. In this sense, in Mexico, the center of origin and genetic diversity of cotton of the Gossypium hirsutum variety, wild and domesticated populations (including genetically modified varieties) coexist in this country, and since 2011, genetic flow of transgenic cultivars to wild populations of Mexican cotton has been reported with various ecological, physiological and evolutionary consequences (Wegier, AL, 2019). For this reason, although research into transgenic organisms dates back to the 1970s, in many countries they do not believe that their use is safe (Pons Gutiérrez, JM, 2021). Finally, regarding health risks, agrochemicals are a point closely related to GMOs. In Peru, there is indiscriminate consumption of pesticides banned in the United States and the European Union due to their proven cause of diseases, such as hormonal problems and cancer.
In the article by Rodríguez Yunta (2010) he mentioned that the obligation of states and international organizations is to ensure the protection and sustainable use of biological and genetic resources existing in national territories, as well as to ensure that traditional knowledge is valued in the scientific production chain. Therefore, if the risk in agricultural, environmental and/or health matters is latent, it is extremely important to evaluate the risks before introducing transgenic seeds into the market, even more so in a megadiverse country like ours that already has a moratorium law. We propose two reflections: 1) let us worry about enhancing what we have already achieved and 2) at the same time, let us review what the risks are in agricultural, environmental and health matters before making erratic decisions. There is plenty of published research that alerts us to their disastrous experiences with transgenic crops in sister Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, among others. What’s more, Julio Berdegué, current secretary of agriculture, has assured that transgenic corn will not be integrated for Mexican consumption. Huge antithesis with our Minister of the Environment, who does not comment on the measure of non-respect for the moratorium in Peru, even though it is his direct responsibility.
Our country has numerous limitations, needs and more important pending issues to resolve, compared to proposing short-term solutions – supposedly – backed by better performance and the use of “cutting-edge” technologies. If the Government is truly concerned about farmers, they should be supported in developing their potential based on input management. For example, the rational use of pesticides or fertilizer dosage, and even better, to make them aware of advanced agroecological techniques. It should also be noted that, even when farmers could buy good seed, they lack specialized credit, advice and/or technical assistance at all levels, as well as the ability to safeguard their production against current and future extreme weather phenomena. If it is about cutting-edge technology, let us invest in water reservoirs, in the production of organic fertilizers, in biological control research, in the production of improved seeds, in an integrated information system, to mention just a few proposals. Finally, remember that, once the decision has been made to introduce GMOs and get involved in the problem, there is no turning back. And believe me, no one will take responsibility.
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
