Assessing the Human Health Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops: A Review of Current Evidence and Controversies

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) crops are a major development in the biotechnology of agriculture, which has the potential to address issues such as food security and malnutrition but elevates the concern of the general population and scientific circles on the potential health hazards. The objective of this paper is to conduct a synthesis of the current knowledge on the effects of GM crops on human health by examining a set of available research papers and views. The
methodology will entail critical literature analysis and synthesis that will address possible benefits, risks recorded and theorised, and sufficiency of the existing safety assessment procedures. Results indicate a multifaceted image: the potential advantages are a higher degree of nutritional value (e.g., Golden Rice), the creation of pharmaceuticals, a decrease in the amount of pesticide exposure by farmers (e.g., Bt crops), and the increase in food security due to higher farmer income (e.g., Bt cotton in India).