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One of the 27 principles of sustainable development adopted at the United Nations Conference in Rio de Janeiro is the precautionary principle. It is relevant in situations in which certain human actions are feared to cause permanent changes to the environment. Any possibility of negative impact is taken as a certainty. This concern is also raised by genetic modifications to organisms.

GMO regulations in Poland

The most important legal act in Poland regarding GMO is the Genetically Modified Organisms Act of 22 June 2001. This Act regulates matters such as contained use of GMOscontained use of GMOscontained use of GMOs, placing GMO products on the market, or releasing GMOs into the environment for purposes other than placing them on the market. It defines a genetically modified organism as a non‑human organism the genetic material of which has undergone an artificial modification that does not occur naturally. The Act also enumerates methods of genetic modification, which include:

• direct insertion of foreign genetic material into a cell of the organism being modified;

• insertion of foreign DNA into the DNA of the recipient using viral, plasmid or other vectors;

• non‑natural methods of combining the genetic material of at least two different cells, resulting in a cell with different genetic material.

The Act also provides a definition of a GMO productGMO productGMO product, that is any product that contains any genetically modified organisms or any parts thereof.

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Fotografia przedstawia w dużym zbliżeniu żółte kolby kukurydzy. Jest to genetycznie zmodyfikowana odmiana MON 810.

In order to ensure biosecuritybiosecuritybiosecurity, the production, processing, transport, storing and using GMOs and products thereof are subject to strict monitoring. Production, storing, transport and destroying GMOs must be done in enclosed spaces, isolated from humans and environment. This applies to the so‑called contained use of GMOs described in the Genetically Modified Organisms Act. Genetically modified foodGMO foodGenetically modified food and food that contains GMOs must have special markings. Moreover, each time a company receives such food, it must document where it received this food from and where it transfers it to. Such evidence must be kept over the period of five years.

The European Union allows for growing 17 types of genetically modified corn (including MON 810 corn) and for industrial use of the genetically modified potato Amflora. However, EU associated countries may apply their own internal regulations to GMO cultivation. In 2013, Poland banned growing genetically modified crops, but every year it imports around 2 million tonnes of genetically modified soybeans to produce cattle, pig and poultry feed. Under the applicable law, GMO fodder may be used to feed animals since 2017.

No to GMO?

GMO proponents assume that genetically modified crops will help reduce world hunger. GMO opponents claim that people are starving not due to insufficient food but poor distribution thereof.

An argument in favour of developing new genetically modified cultivars is the recently changing climate throughout the world. By replacing traditional plant species that may soon turn out to be unable to survive the new environmental conditions, new ones have the potential to prevent a dramatic decline in crop yields.

As reported by the non‑governmental International Service for the Acquisition of Agri‑biotech Applications (ISAAA) in 2012, in the period of 1996‑2011 genetically modified crops boosted food production, generating $78 million in profits for the producers. At the same time, nearly 0.5 million tonnes less of pesticides were used, and COIndeks dolny 2₂ emissions dropped by 90,000 tonnes. Thanks to the increased efficiency of genetically modified crops, 90 million hectares of cropland were set aside, which in turn boosted the spread of wild plant and animal populations and helped sustain or increase biodiversity.

However, it should be noted that due to the introduction of biotech crops, 15 million people working in agriculture lost their jobs. Another major concern is that farmers are very likely to become dependent on biotech corporations.

Summary

• Genetic engineering plays a large part in creating organisms with genome changes that are beneficial for humans.

• Currently, there is a ban on growing genetically modified crops in effect in Poland.

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Keywords

GMO, biosecurity, genetic engineering

Glossary