For years, you've been warned about "Frankenfoods" lurking in your grocery store, but what if everything you thought you knew about GMOs (genetically modified organism) was wrong? Despite overwhelming scientific consensus on their safety and benefits, genetically modified foods remain one of the most unfairly villainized innovations in modern agriculture.
As part of the Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TRuST) series at the University of Waterloo, Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts flatly debunked fears and misinformation about GMOs, highlighting their potential to fortify global food security. The TRuST series fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration aimed at improving public trust in science.
Roberts was invited to Waterloo by fellow Nobel Laureate and TRuST network's co-director, Dr. Donna Strickland, to deliver a lecture on the value of GMO crops, animal food and beyond. A British biochemist and molecular biologist, he won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Phillip Allen Sharp for discovering introns in eukaryotic DNA and the mechanism of gene splicing.
Sir Richard Roberts delivers his lecture
"For 35 years, GMOs have posed no issues - something that can't even be said for traditional foods," Roberts said. "Their potential is vast. Imagine bioengineered crops designed to absorb more carbon dioxide, helping combat climate change. Think of the 800 million people who go to bed hungry each night - not looking for pills or tablets, but for the nourishing food they need to survive. In their case, food is medicine."
One of the key myths Roberts debunked was the idea that GMOs are inherently dangerous to human health. He emphasized that decades of scientific research and rigorous testing have consistently shown GMOs are safe for consumption.
"GMOs go through a roughly five-year vetting process from their conception in the lab until they are commercially available to farmers," Roberts explained. "They are tested and tested again and again to ensure their viability." Roberts also highlighted how GMOs can reduce reliance on harmful pesticides, which pose risks to both human health and the environment. "Some plants naturally produce their own pest resistance, a trait that can be optimized and engineered across vital crops to enhance resilience and sustainability in agriculture," he noted.
"The messaging against GMOs is truly shameful," Roberts said. "How many people must die of malnutrition before we consider this a crime against humanity? Are we really going to let politics and money stand in the way of people eating nutritious food? Are we really going to allow millions of children to suffer from stunting? We need more science in politics and less politics in science."
Following the lecture Strickland, who received a Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2018 and is a distinguished professor at Waterloo, took the stage alongside Roberts for a conversation moderated by Dr. Chris Houser, the dean of Science at Waterloo, with a focus on clarity and accessibility, ensuring that the complex science behind GMOs could be understood by all.
Drs. Chris Houser, Sir Richard Roberts and Donna Strickland discuss science communication
Strickland, while not a biologist, brought a physicist's perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making and the scientific method.
"As Nobel Laureates, we have a responsibility to use our platform and amplify our voices in advocating for science," Strickland said. "Our role is to help the public understand science, just as we emphasize literacy in education. We need more people to grasp the importance of science and math in shaping the world around us."
She underscored the need for scientists to communicate their findings clearly and effectively to the public and those in positions of political influence - particularly in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly.
"I would love to see more science-savvy politicians," Strickland said. "In other countries, as high as 80 percent of their lawmakers have scientific backgrounds, yet in Canada and the United States, it's less than ten per cent. We need more scientific education in government."
Roberts emphasized his deep commitment to using science to address global challenges, particularly in the developing world. "My interest is really in using science to help the developing world," he said. "We need European politicians and people of influence to tell these skeptics that GMOs are safe and that we are going to use them to help people." He also highlighted how the skepticism surrounding GMOs mirrors resistance faced by other scientific advancements, stressing the importance of overcoming misinformation to ensure these technologies benefit those who need them most.
For those who missed the event, the livestream recording is available below, providing a chance to learn from two exceptional scholars. Roberts and Strickland's discussion not only dispels misinformation but also inspires informed dialogue and action, empowering us to shape a more sustainable and secure global future.
