"GMO technology, we don't know enough about it!" At a recent high-level seminar, Professor Gu Xiulin, a top bioengineering expert in China, fired the first shot against GMO, and her remarks caused an uproar.
Professor Gu's remarks pointed directly to the potential harm of today's mainstream genetically modified technology, which aroused strong attention and heated discussions from all walks of life, especially the scientific and technological circles. Her remarks were like a bombshell, sounding the alarm in the context of the current popularity of genetically modified crops.
Professor Gu pointed out that the current genetically modified technology may bring huge risks to human society and the ecological environment, the most direct of which is the impact on human health and food safety. She said that the long-term effects of genetically modified foods have not been fully verified, and it is very dangerous to directly promote the application on a large scale.
What's more, the randomness of genetic technology can lead to many unforeseen consequences. Editing genes is like changing the source code of a life at will, and it can lead to systemic failures. For example, the creation of new variants of viruses, super-pathogens, or disruption of the balance of the body's metabolism. Once these consequences occur, they will be difficult to manage.
Professor Gu also pointed out that genetic contamination is also a major concern. Genetically modified crops can easily spread genes to wild populations through wind vectors and insect vectors, destroying the purity of the gene pool. Once released, it is difficult to take it back. She fears that this could lead to the extinction of species, ultimately affecting the balance of the entire ecosystem.
In the face of Professor Gu's harsh criticism, many proponents of technology have raised objections. They believe that genetically modified technology can improve crop yields, fight pests and diseases, and increase nutritional value, which is important for ensuring food security. It would be irresponsible to stop the development of GMOs.
However, Professor Gu did not stop there, noting that the long-term impact of GM technology is questionable even when it comes to increasing yields. For example, insect-resistant cotton can effectively fight bollworms in the early stage, but after a few years, bollworms become resistant to pesticides, and cotton yields decline. This shows that blindly relying on GMOs to maintain high yields is unsustainable.
"We want sustainable development, not short-term production growth. Professor Gu said that in order to truly solve the food crisis, it is necessary to fundamentally improve the scientific level of agriculture, carry out rational planning and resource allocation, and not rely on uncontrollable genetically modified technology.
As for the risks that may arise, many proponents of technology say that they can be controlled through regulation. But Professor Gu harshly refuted this argument. "Once GMOs are commercially grown and farmed on a large scale, it is very difficult to regulate them effectively. And some hidden risks can take decades to become apparent. By then, it will be too late. ”
Indeed, once Pandora's box is opened, it is difficult to close it again. In the face of the unpredictable risks of GM technology, it is not too late to take a cautious approach. But blindly advancing this technology can have unimaginable consequences.
Professor Gu's remarks broke the mainstream public opinion on the one-sided admiration of GM technology, and made more people start to reflect on whether this technology is really a "panacea" for food security. A growing number of experts and scholars have begun to call for caution or even a moratorium on commercialization when the impact of GM technology is still unclear to avoid irreparable mistakes.
At the same time, public concerns about genetically modified foods are growing. In recent years, the civil movement against GMOs has continued to heat up. Some environmental groups have launched signature campaigns calling on the government to tighten regulations. Consumers are also increasingly focusing on non-GMO foods.
In the face of public concerns, the relevant departments should improve policy transparency as soon as possible, disclose the R&D and safety assessment data of genetically modified products, and accept public scrutiny. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen popular science education to help the public view GM technology rationally and prevent panic.
In addition, it is necessary for scientific research departments to carry out systematic independent assessments, conduct a comprehensive analysis of the risks of GM technology, and study its long-term impact on human health and the ecological environment, so as to provide a scientific basis for policy-making and the public.
Although the value of GM technology in some aspects cannot be denied, it is a dangerous practice to blindly advance. Professor Gu's warning makes us not ignore the risks of this technology. In today's rapid development of technology, public participation and caution are particularly important. We need to develop new technologies while also paying attention to the possible negative effects before it is too late.
Professor Gu's remarks have sparked a desire from all walks of life to re-examine GM technology, and also sounded the clarion call for collective action to protect the beautiful planet on which we depend. Let us join hands to inject wisdom and prudence into our common home, use science and technology for the people, benefit the society, and achieve a beautiful symbiosis.
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