Could the next breakthrough pesticide be rewriting our genes without us knowing?
- Gene-silencing RNAi pesticides promise precision but could quietly alter ecosystems—and even impact human genes.
- Already in our food, these minimally regulated compounds slip through safety checks, raising red flags about hidden genetic risks.
- Experts warn we’re part of an “open-air genetic experiment,” urging immediate action to prevent unintended, far-reaching consequences.
Imagine a technology that could genetically rewire organisms in real-time, silencing critical genes across entire ecosystems with unknown effects. Sounds like science fiction? It’s not. It’s the reality of a new class of pesticides harnessing RNA interference–or RNAi–and they’re already being deployed in our fields and food supply with minimal testing or oversight. According to organic producers and non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) advocates, the risks could be catastrophic.
Environmental Organization Warns of RNAi Pesticide Dangers
In 2020, a groundbreaking report from Friends of the Earth (FOE) rang the alarm on the dangers posed by gene-silencing RNAi pesticides. According to the non-governmental environmental organization report, these products can genetically modify organisms in the open environment, with risks of unintended effects on non-target species, human health, and the integrity of organic and non-GMO agriculture. Despite these threats, RNAi pesticides face little to no regulatory scrutiny in most countries, and some have already been approved for use.
In June 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency green-lit the RNAi corn developed by Monsanto and Dow, now being marketed under the trade name SmartStax Pro.
In a press release announcing the approval of SmartStax Pro, regulators praised the product for its value to the farmer and the low impact it has on the environment.
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