FDA and USDA Approve Argentine GMO Wheat for U.S. Export Market Worth $6 Billion

Sep 5, 2024, 07:35 PM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have approved an Argentine-developed genetically modified (GMO) wheat strain for the United States. This marks a significant shift as wheat was previously the one U.S. crop that remained non-GMO due to export concerns. The U.S. exports $6 billion worth of wheat annually, with major buyers historically refusing GMO versions. The approval has sparked debate over the environmental and health impacts of GMOs. A new review in Science Magazine examines the environmental effects of GMO crops, while critics, including the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, raise concerns about potential health risks such as infertility, immune problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms.