Biosefaty and Genetically Modified Organizms

While the jury on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is still out, there is a growing body of evidence on environmental risks such as threats of gene flow, secondary weeds and pests, and the effects of toxins on non-target species. Supporters of GMOs claim improved characteristics of GM products, high yields, and low costs.

The health risks of GMOs include potential allergenicity of several GM foods and food ingredients, increased toxicity, and the potential development of antibiotic resistance and immunodeficiency. Moreover, there is a threat that genetic engineering can have social and financial effects, enabling transnational companies to monopolize and control the technology by enforcing intellectual property claims. For example, to ensure patent rights protection of GM-seeds, corporations have produced “terminator” seeds, which are sterile in subsequent generations, thus forcing farmers to buy seeds every year (Harutyunyan, 2005).

Armenia, as a country in transition, ranks high in vulnerability to the consequences of importation, production, and usage of GMOs due to such factors as dependency on agriculture, high necessity for

crop improvements, deficiency in GMO regulating legislation, and imperfect institutional capacity. Officially, GMOs are neither imported nor commercially produced in Armenia. However, according to some experts, NGO representatives, and officials there are apprehensions that many products imported to Armenia contain GM ingredients; in particular, GM soy, which was introduced initially as humanitarian aid and then on a commercial basis (Harutyunyan, 2005). This is partly because the genetic origin of imported seeds, plants, and animals is not registered at national border crossings due to lack of GMO testing laboratory. Thus, this field is not properly regulated (Harutyunyan et al.,2008).

It is worth noting that Armenia is a country of rich biodiversity and is a center of origin for wild ancestors of crops and livestock. There are more than 3,500 high plants, 4,000 fungi, and around 17,500 invertebrate and vertebrate species recorded in the territory of Armenia. Indeed, Armenia falls within one of the five centers of diversity and origin of the world’s major food crops described by Vavilov (1992), the creator of the world’s largest collections of plant germplasm. Hence, it is critically important for Armenia to strengthen its capacity to pursue biosafety policies based on well balanced decisions on the introduction of biotechnological innovations. The country should be responsible for providing a safe and healthy environment and conserving its genetic diversity for present and future generations (Harutyunyan, 2005).  

  So think before using those.