Thread by @UnkleAyo

On GMOs.

Firstly, permit me to throw data to the wind. Only time.

90% of people arguing about GMOs, reading this thread - have never handled genetic materials, edited genes. Probably never will.

I eat CRISPR-CAS9 for lunch.

I write this thread, as a subject authority.

Let's start by talking about why European countries have GMOs banned.

France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Luxembourg, Hungary - all have GMOs banned.

According to the EU - advantages are there but are weak compared to the risk.

In plain words: "it's not worth it".

Cultural preservation is very core to Europeans. What & how they eat.

A concept Americans don't understand.

This peak to Industrialized agriculture means damage to environment, accelerated disappearance of farms, destruction of local cultures.

This is on the social spectrum.

On the political and economic spectrum.

Farmers aren't nobodies in the EU. You should watch Dutch & French farmers' strikes on YouTube.

They don't want to sacrifice their autonomy to corporation & trade their connection to land for seed-subscriptions.

That's a power shift.

They'd rather not foreign corps control food inflow & access.

GMOs are still permissible in certain countries. Spain has the most GMOs in circulation but regulatn is as tightened as:

Before a GMO enters EU agrospace, it has to be approved at an EU level, then countries decide.

To the science.

Gene Modification is not as straightforward as - remove gene here and put it there.

What's basically happening is -

you're taking a foreign DNA for a trait you prefer, inserting in a new plant and defining growth conditions, artificially.

What could go wrong:

The "foreign DNA" becomes a part of that plant.

When you eat that plant, there's evidentiary concerns about interference with immune system and antimicrobial resistance.

Simply put:

Your drugs might not work for you same way, your body might not fight for you same way.

Since you're putting the "foreign" DNA in your preferred plant, there's definitely concern of cross pollination into other plants.

There's also concern of insects that would feed on that plant.

Your initial singular target plant has now, other players in crossfires.

Gene Modification IS NOT the same as gene editing.

Europeans generally prefer towing the route of gene editing techniques like CRISPR-CAS9 since you're not introducing any foreign DNA to the plant/crop in question.

But EU court classifies both approaches under the same ruling.

Benefits of GMOs exist but it doesn't outweigh the risks.

I also wouldn't be listening to America on food, health and nutrition.

40% of Americans are obese.

Before you see an Obese European, you stand better chance of seeing Seyilaw with sense.

Good evening.