Genetically Modified Crops: Solution for Modern Farming or Environmental Risk?

Genetically modified crops are increasingly being considered as tools to help farmers cope with the challenges of modern agriculture. On the positive side, GMOs can improve crop resilience to pests, diseases, and extreme weather caused by climate change, increase yields, and reduce the pressure to clear additional land for farming, helping to protect natural ecosystems. They can also decrease the need for chemical inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, which benefits both the environment and human health.

However, genetically modified crops also raise concerns. Critics point to potential risks for biodiversity, the development of resistant pests, and the dependence of farmers on large seed companies. Regulatory, ethical, and socio-economic questions, particularly for small-scale farmers, remain key challenges in implementing GMOs safely and effectively.

In this interview, we discuss both the promises and challenges of genetically modified crops with Dr. Tomasz Kijewski, a biologist and marine fauna genetics specialist at the Climate and Ocean Research and Education (CORE) Laboratory, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Sopot. Alongside his work in marine biology, Dr. Kijewski studies how genetic modification can support sustainable agriculture while balancing environmental and social concerns.

Can GMO help farmers grow more food during climate change?

Definitely yes. Imagine that a massive attack of harmful insects on the field can reduce yield by 80%. Think of cultivation on salty, too dry, or too poor soil. Rising temperatures on earth pose no less of a threat to crop plants. We should think of an opportunity to stop devastating more wild areas to create new fields when we can get high-yielding varieties.

Do you think GMO crops are a danger to biodiversity?

Let me explain what an arable field is – an area that is occupied by just o

ne species. We took over a huge piece of land to grow crops, which is definitely bad for biodiversity. The total agricultural area in the world is comparable to Asia and food farming only (not the animal feed) takes an area comparable to Australia. There is no room for wild species there, and if biodiversity increases in the field, we are trying to reduce it. This is essential for agriculture, and GMO crops are no exception. As we are able to increase yields, we reduce the demand for new areas. Since we can make crops without the use of pesticides (as plants can defend themselves), we reduce loss of non-pests insects and their predators. Therefore, I am convinced that applying modified varieties together with a wise environmental policy around fields (patches and lines of wild nature among fields) will not threaten biodiversity, but will support it. And still, every new modification and every new cultivar should be carefully tested on wide-spectrum possible effect, by an independent scientific council prior to enering market.

Can GMO seeds cause problems for small farmers?

This is a real problem facing numerous farmers around the world. And it comes not from GMO characteristics but from national policies and marketing strategies of big companies that develop GMO. This puts pressure on farmers who are eager to use high-yielding and safe seed materials but are defenceless against the marketing strategies of their contractors. To be clear, the biggest food producing concerns tend to exploit farmers despite of GMO or non-GMO crops, but some of GMO providers are most predatory. You could hear about farmers struggling with Monsanto in USA courts. I think the best solution is to develop local genetic engineering institutes or companies to provide their own varieties appropriate for local conditions and to balance local markets. The implementation of a suitable trade policy at the national level is also very important in this case, but a general ban may result in a decrease in the competitiveness of products on global markets and still brings opportunities to the biggest players.

What happens to the soil after many years of using GMO fertilizers or inputs?

Actually, GM plants demand lower volumes of fertilisers and pesticides, and in many cases they are created for this purpose. Some exceptions are Roundup Ready varieties resistant to herbicides (Roundup), but, as I mentioned, it depends on the farmer’s responsibility to use it in the right volume and time. Roundup is biodegradable in soil anyway. In addition, there are GM bacteria developed for the purpose of restoring degraded soils after industrial pollution or agricultural overexploitation. What about this?

Can pests become stronger because of GMO crops?

Yes, they can. We cannot stop evolution. Pests are subjected to selection in a natural way, and this is not due to GM directly, but this applies to every plant protection product. However, it is easier to evolve if the agent (herbicide or pesticide) is widely spread over the environment, e.g., Bt based  pesticide spraying over fields vs. Bt plants. The point is that making crops resistant to pests or safe from weeds with molecular engineering slows down this effect but does not stop it.

Is it possible for GMO plants to mix with organic plants in the field?

To my knowledge, mixing any variety in a single field is not the case for regular agriculture. The only exception that I know is permaculture, where plants of different species are cultivated together prior to mutual services such as pest deterring or soli fertilisation. Thus, it does not apply to GMOs as they are used in large-scale agriculture. However, there is such a situation as ‘jumping’ crops, which means pollinate the non-GMO field with GMO pollen. This is an undesirable situation because it is difficult to qualify such a crop, and a predatory contractor can make claims for the crop from the field he did not sow. Therefore, there is a regulation that neighbours cannot sow corn within a certain distance from the GM corn field. This creates an understandable conflict and has been the basis for lawsuits in the US.

It should be noted that the Law on GMOs has been adopted in Armenia for 2 years, which limits their widespread use, allowing only scientific research in a limited area.

About Armenia and its organic agriculture program:

Armenia is the only country in our region with a university-level program in organic agriculture. What do you think about that?

I believe this is a great opportunity for Armenia. Applying and developing knowledge will improve agriculture, environmental care and competitiveness on the organic product market. I would never say that organic agriculture is unnecessary or harmful, but we should all be aware that the efficiency of this method of cultivation does not allow gain food for the growing world population. You have a beautiful country and you need to take care of the natural environment. I hope and wish you manage it.

Have you heard anything about Armenian food or Armenian organic products? What do you think about them?

In fact, Armenian food is nor wide available in Poland apart from a few small stores with regional products. I like to eat in Armenian restaurants and I really such as that food, like yoghurt and meat dishes. I also know apricots and pomegranates and I like when they are from Armenia.

Useful links:

Banana story (not GMO) https://bananaroots.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/back-to-the-roots-part-ii-the-roots-of-the-cavendish-banana-in-england/

Article in New Scientist https://drive.google.com/file/d/13FJ3cT2AMkZn3uaFtEIORrJdd-ZnTRKi/view?usp=drive_link

Nuclear gardening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_gardening

The interview has been conducted by PAMC NGO member Tatev Lazaryan