Genetically modified (GM) crops provide numerous health benefits beyond higher crop yields, including reduced pesticide poisonings, lower suicide rates, decreased cancer risk, and improved childhood nutrition.
While GM crops are controversial, the technology has already prevented millions of pesticide poisonings and suicides globally.
As GM crops continue to be adopted, particularly in developing countries, they have immense potential to improve both physical and mental health.
Key Facts:
- GM insect-resistant cotton has prevented an estimated 75,000-144 million cases of pesticide poisoning among farmers in developing countries.
- India’s adoption of GM cotton is linked to a 25% drop in the farmer suicide rate, potentially preventing over 75,000 suicides.
- GM corn has 29-37% lower levels of cancer-causing mycotoxins than conventional varieties.
- Biofortified GM crops can provide essential micronutrients lacking in developing country diets, improving immunity, brain development, and long-term health.
Source: Plant Biotechnol J
Reduced Pesticide Poisonings
One of the most direct health benefits of GM crops comes from the insect resistance conferred by genes from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium.
Bt cotton and Bt corn produce proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests, dramatically reducing the need for application of chemical insecticides.
Developing countries like India, China, and South Africa have seen 60-90% decreases in insecticide use with the adoption of Bt cotton.
Since pesticide application in smallholder farms is done manually, often with handheld or backpack sprayers, farmers have high exposure to these toxic chemicals.
This frequently leads to acute pesticide poisoning, with symptoms like headaches, nausea, breathing difficulties, and skin rashes.
Rates of hospitalization for pesticide poisoning have declined rapidly where Bt crops have been introduced.
Studies found pesticide poisonings decreased by 9-33% for Chinese Bt cotton farmers, 50-80% for South African farmers, and up to 90% for Indian farmers.
Extrapolating from survey data, scientists estimate Bt cotton has prevented between 75 and 144 million cases of pesticide poisoning in India alone since its introduction in 2002.
Reduced pesticide exposure improves farmers’ health and quality of life tremendously.
Lower Farmer Suicide Rates
Pesticide poisonings are not the only health danger facing cotton farmers in developing countries.
India in particular has struggled with an epidemic of suicides among smallholder farmers, with an estimated 300,000 farmer suicides between 1995 and 2015.
Farmers face heavy debt burdens trying to finance inputs like fertilizer and pesticides.
Crop losses to pests can deal a fatal financial blow.
However, analysis of Indian suicide data found that suicides rates in cotton farming areas peaked in 2004, then plateaued and declined after the commercial introduction of Bt cotton in 2002-2003.
By reducing losses to pests, Bt cotton improved yields and farm incomes.
Scientists estimate this effect of Bt cotton adoption prevented between 75,000 and 115,000 suicides in India during the period 2002-2011 compared to the pre-2002 trend.
While mental health challenges affect all populations worldwide, the financial stability and improved crop resilience provided by Bt cotton likely relieved mental anguish and reduced stress for thousands of Indian farm families on the brink.
Lower Mycotoxins and Cancer Risk
Pest damage not only destroys crops directly, it creates entry points for fungal growth and mycotoxin production.
Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain fungi that frequently contaminate cereal crops and nuts worldwide.
Chronic dietary exposure to mycotoxins is associated with cancer and neural tube defects.
Maize infected with fungi like Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium can contain dangerous mycotoxins like fumonisins, aflatoxin, and deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin).
Field trials show Bt maize has significantly lower infestations of European corn borer, resulting in 29-37% reductions in common mycotoxins.
This means Bt maize is less likely to contaminate the food supply with carcinogens, protecting long-term public health.
Improved Childhood Nutrition
Beyond reducing toxins, genetic modification has allowed the development of biofortified crops with enhanced levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids missing from traditional staple crops.
Deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin A and other micronutrients affect up to 2 billion people globally and can seriously impair childhood development.
The nonprofit project HarvestPlus has used genetic modification to create crops like high-iron pearl millet, high-zinc rice, and Golden Rice enriched with beta-carotene (vitamin A).
GM vitamin A-enhanced bananas and cassava are also under development.
These nutritionally enhanced GM crops have potential to improve immunity, reduce birth defects, and combat stunting when adopted in developing countries where nutrient deficiencies are common.
Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy and childhood can also have long-lasting impacts on brain development and mental health.
Iron deficiency anemia early in life is linked to lasting cognitive and motor deficits.
Zinc deficiency is associated with abnormalities in neurogenesis, neurotransmitter systems, and hippocampal structure.
And vitamin A deficiency increases risk of poor memory and difficulties with learning, language, and motor skills.
Biofortified GM crops can provide these essential nutrients during critical periods of brain development, leading to lifelong benefits for cognition and mental health.
Future Health Promise of Genetically Modified Crops
GM technology has additional health promise beyond the impacts documented so far.
Scientists are working on GM foods with extended shelf life to reduce spoilage and food waste.
Produce engineered to resist browning could retain nutrients longer after harvest.
And oilseeds like soybean and canola can be modified to produce healthier oils free of trans fats.
As climate change threatens food security, heat and drought tolerant GM crops will also become increasingly important to maintain yields with less land and agricultural inputs.
The pipeline for new GM traits to benefit health, nutrition, and the environment continues to grow.
While GM crops remains controversial in some regions, the measurable public health benefits already demonstrated make a strong case for continued research and development of biotechnology applications in agriculture, especially for subsistence farmers in the developing world.
As more GM crops are commercialized and adopted, they have great potential to continue improving lives and reducing disease burdens globally.
References
- Study: The human health benefits from GM crops
- Author: Stuart J. Smyth (2020)
