GMO Truths and Untruths
Majid Ali, M.D.
Do genetically modified crops increase food yield? Scientific answer: No.
Do genetically modified crops decrease pesticide use? Answer: No.
How would the New York Times answer the above two questions? Consider the following two headlines of its large article on October 10, 2016:
Front Page Headline:
Doubts About the Promised Bounty of Genetically Modified Crops
Page 37 Headline:
Broken Promises of Genetically Modified Crops
Here is a direct quote from the Times article:
An analysis by The Times using United Nations data showed that the United States and Canada have gained no discernible advantage in yields — food per acre — when measured against Western Europe, a region with comparably modernized agricultural producers like France and Germany. Also, a recent National Academy of Sciences reportfound that “there was little evidence” that the introduction of genetically modified crops in the United States had led to yield gains beyond those seen in conventional crops.
Here is some more text from the Times Article:
European anger at the idea of fooling with nature has been far more sustained. In the last few years, the March Against Monsanto has drawn thousands of protesters in cities like Paris and Basel, Switzerland, and opposition to G.M. foods is a foundation of the Green political movement. Still, Europeans eat those foods when they buy imports from the United States and elsewhere.
Conclusion:
Genetically modified foods have been heavily promoted with false information.