In recent years, we have been faced with two terms, genetically modified and organic, in the agriculture and food industries. From a scientific standpoint, organic products are those that do not use any type of chemical process in any stage of planting, growing, and harvesting. This means that completely natural methods are used to produce these products, without causing any harm to humans or the environment. If, after various inspections, there is no chemical pollution in the water, soil, or product, and all standards are met, the product will be considered organic. On the other hand, genetically modified products are those that have one or more genes inserted for various purposes.

Producing and importing genetically modified agricultural products for consumption is one of the challenges in the agricultural and commercial sector of the country, which has sparked various debates among opponents and supporters regarding its potential harms or benefits.

Basically, the main reason for the creation of genetically modified technology is to increase the yield of high-quality products from the unit of crop cultivation, reduce food prices, produce newer products, and create food diversity. Considering the increasing food demand of the population, ensuring food security for this growing need requires special solutions. The use of genetically modified products is one of the solutions for food supply, especially in developing and populous countries.

Introducing genes related to different traits into plant species such as wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar beets, and many other plants with the aim of improving their quality, increasing their production, and making them resistant to biological pests is just a small example of the widespread use of genetically modified plants. Products such as edible oils, waxes, starches, and fats are produced to a small extent under normal conditions, but using genetic technology has significantly increased their production on a unit area basis.

Therefore, it can be said that genetically modified technology produces stronger, higher quality, and more durable products. In addition, genetically modified products consume more carbon dioxide and produce more oxygen. This feature reduces the greenhouse effect and is effective in reducing global warming. As mentioned, genetically modified products are resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions. For example, the production and propagation of salt-resistant, drought-resistant, and water-scarce plant species such as cacti and a resilient type of cedar are significant in reviving desert and desert areas and producing more oxygen. Reviving pastures and forests using species resistant to local pests with genetically modified products is also easier. Note that each of the production applications of genetically modified products, including increased and higher quality production, and increased oxygen production, is of key importance in the food industry and human health. On the other hand, with the increase in the world’s population, creating cultivable lands is an important issue. One of the ways to provide agricultural lands is the destruction

Critics of genetically modified products believe that these products damage the life cycle of organisms and disrupt the ecosystem by reducing biodiversity due to their resistance to pests and insects. They also believe that consuming these products can lead to resistance to certain drugs in the consumer’s body. Some researchers believe that residents living near areas where genetically modified products are grown have experienced immune system deficiencies and have been diagnosed with diseases such as various types of cancer. These speculations have led to sensitivity towards the production of genetically modified products, and some countries like Germany and America have taken measures for the cultivation and trade of these products. In line with these speculations, studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety of genetically modified food products. For example, a 90-day study was conducted on mice, where they were fed rice (KMD1) containing the protein (Cry1AC) for 90 days. The studies showed that there were no changes in the behavior, physical health, or weight of the mice.

Despite existing criticisms about the safety of genetically modified products, there is no credible evidence that these products are allergenic, threatening, or dangerous to human health.

Nearly fifty years have passed since the use of molecular biotechnology in the production of genetically modified products. So far, 67 countries in the world have issued licenses for the production of these products. However, there are many questions about the safety of genetically modified products, and in order to answer these questions, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was developed by member countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995. This protocol includes legal agreements that can address potential risks associated with genetically modified products. These agreements led to the acceptance of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on January 29, 2000.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is based on the “precautionary approach” outlined in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and has established its own laws. According to this principle, lack or absence of scientific information should not be used as an excuse to delay actions to prevent environmental degradation and erosion when there is a potential risk or irreparable harm. This protocol is, in fact, the first comprehensive legislative system to ensure the safe transfer, handling, and use of genetically modified products that are intended to be moved between countries.

Iran joined this global protocol in 2003 and allowed the entry of genetically modified products into the country.

According to some individuals, we have had production of these products in Iran in the years 83 to 85. Research has also been conducted in this area, and some researchers have claimed that 47% of the rice available in the market (Iranian and foreign) has been genetically modified. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that no licenses have been given for the production of genetically modified products so far. However, there are reports that without following the principles of field experiments, genetically modified product seeds are being cultivated in Iran, and these seeds can be transferred to other areas by insects and birds, without our knowledge, violating the fundamental laws of our country. This conflicting opinions about these products increases concerns in Iran.

Due to the lack of labeling, it is difficult to distinguish between genetically modified and organic products. The quantitative or percentage determination test is the most important application of this test for labeling genetically modified products; because according to the laws of each country, labeling of genetically modified products is only required within a certain range; for example, in the European Union, this range is 9.0%, and labeling of genetically modified products is mandatory if the percentage is higher than this. In Iran, the range is 2%, and labeling is mandatory if the percentage is higher than this.

The use of genetically modified products is not limited to recent years, but it has been around 20 years since people in Iran started using these products. Approximately 90% of the oil consumed in our country is imported from Argentina and Brazil, and is 100% genetically modified.

Currently, the import of genetically modified soybeans, canola, and corn is taking place according to domestic needs. So far, there has been no proven harm in using genetically modified products in Iran, and the use and adoption of this technology will be implemented to combat pests, protect the environment from toxins and chemicals, and reduce production costs. Currently, in Iran, genetically modified products are sometimes cultivated for research purposes.

The commentators of this matter in Iran also speak about the benefits of using genetically modified technology in production of products.

Professor Behzad Gharayazi, associate professor at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and a specialist in genetics, believed that the carcinogenicity of genetically modified products is a result of ignorance and lack of knowledge among some individuals, and it is not true in any way. The division between Western and Eastern technology is not relevant because such a division does not exist in science.

Professor ‘Abdul Hasan Kazemi: Creating improved traits and characteristics for the enhancement of quantity and quality of agricultural products is possible with the help of genetic engineering and control, and the major advantage of these products is the accurate assessment of potential risks associated with them.

They believe that some people, under the name of compassion, are striking at the root of genetic engineering while increasing the nutritional value with genetically modified products is the most affordable way to increase food production.

Increasing tolerance to stress such as drought and salinity, molecular farming, improving nutritional properties such as increasing protein, vitamins, minerals and reducing anti-nutritional factors (allergens) are among the capabilities of producing genetically modified products.

Dr. Masoud Amidi, a member of the Biotechnology Safety Committee of the Ministry of Science, stated that we should not resist technology. He believes that because we lack scientific education and democracy, we cannot properly communicate with technology.

Genetic engineering and genetically modified products are advanced technologies. Technology evolves based on human values and needs, so we should approach it rationally and embrace it. Genetically modified products are produced using advanced genetic engineering methods with the goal of improving and enhancing desirable traits such as food quality, resistance to pests and diseases, increasing quantity of the product, or eliminating undesirable traits. We should not be distrustful of this technology.

Dr. Behram Baghban believes that producing genetically modified products is safe and people should not be concerned about the food safety of these products. Genetic engineering, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and ICT are all sciences related to genetic modification that will play a fundamental role in the development and shaping of the third millennium. In addition to agricultural production, genetically modified products also have a positive impact on improving employment and the economy. The production of genetically modified cotton will soon begin in Iran, which will play a role in improving the country’s textile industry and creating jobs. (6)

In general, genetically modified products have many benefits and there have been no reports of negative effects of such products so far. However, if proper monitoring and management is not carried out in their cultivation, there may be concerns for the environment. The success of biotechnology and genetic engineering in Iran requires scientific evaluation and sustainable management. The use of genetically modified products in Iran requires awareness and cultural promotion.

Returns

• A Look at the Global Situation of Genetically Modified Products in 2008 – Behzad Gharayazi – Iran Biosafety Newsletter – 2009

• The Position of Genetically Modified Plants in Sustainable Agriculture: Past, Present, and Future – L. Rastgoo and A. Alamzadeh – Journal of Biosafety Society of Iran – 2008

• A study was conducted on Wistar rats for 90 days to assess the safety of genetically modified rice containing Cry1Ab protein (derived from Bacillus thuringiensis toxin). The study was conducted by Schroder, M., Poulsen, M., Wilcks, A., Kroghsbo, S., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J., Rychlik, M., Emami, K., Gatehouse, A., Shu, Q., Engel, K., Altosaar, I., and Knudsen, I and was published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2007.

• In 2002, Chassy conducted a food safety evaluation of crops produced through biotechnology, which was published in the Journal of American College of Nutrition.

• Genetically Modified Crops: Opportunity or Threat? – “Rusna” reports on the benefits and harms of genetically modified crops in an interview with experts – Rural News – June 8, 2019

• Genetically modified products, risk or opportunity – IRNA News Agency – September 26, 2018