35.9k views
4 votes
Which is/are concerns about genetically modified food crops?

A) I. GM plants will spread into the wild
B) II. GM crops threaten the natural balance
C) III. Use of genetically engineered crops will force pests to evolve
D) IV. GM crops may stop producing food because of damage to their genes

User Pesch
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

Concerns about GM food crops include potential environmental impacts like spreading into the wild and disrupting ecosystems and health concerns regarding consumption. The complexity of ecosystems makes risk assessment crucial for both environmental effects and human safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concerns about genetically modified (GM) food crops include the potential for GM plants to spread into the wild, which can lead to unintended consequences such as hybridization with native species. This hybridization might endow wild relatives with traits such as herbicide resistance, creating 'super weeds' that could harm ecosystems. Another concern is that the use of genetically engineered crops might force pests to evolve resistance, thus changing the natural balance. Lastly, GM crops are feared to possibly stop producing food if damage occurs to their modified genes, although this is not commonly reported.

Many of these concerns are based on the intrinsic complexities of ecological systems. Environmental risks and potential health risks of GE crops are areas of public concern and scientific investigation. Various organisms and entire ecosystems might be affected by the introduction of GE crops, which is why risk assessments to evaluate both environmental effects and human safety are considered vital.