New reports from Friends of the Earth and Sustainable Pulse have sounded the alarm regarding the escalating risks of Genetically Modified (GM) crops following the U.S. approval of GMO wheat. While hundreds of scientists and research papers have already documented the multifaceted risks GM technology poses to agriculture, health, and the environment, there was—until now—a sense of relief that major global staples had remained largely untouched.
In countries like India and throughout South Asia, where wheat and rice are the foundation of food security, the push toward GM technology is particularly alarming. The U.S. government’s recent approval of HB4 genetically modified wheat is causing ripples of concern globally. This apprehension stems not only from the general risks associated with transgenics but from specific warnings that GM wheat offers no proven benefits while posing serious threats to public health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods.
The "Failed System" of Herbicide Tolerance
With the approval of HB4, consumers in the U.S. and abroad face the prospect of herbicide-tolerant wheat entering the global food supply. While it is not yet grown commercially in the States, the regulatory path has been cleared. Friends of the Earth is now calling on companies and consumers to reject the crop.
According to technical documents, HB4 wheat is engineered to tolerate glufosinate-ammonium, a toxic herbicide currently banned in the European Union.
- Health Risks: Research links glufosinate to premature birth, miscarriage, and developmental issues. EPA assessments suggest it is significantly more toxic than glyphosate regarding long-term exposure.
- Environmental Impact: Glufosinate is harmful to soil organisms, pollinators, and aquatic life, threatening the very biodiversity required for long-term farm resilience.
"GMO wheat poses high risks with no clear benefits," says Dana Perls, senior program manager at Friends of the Earth. "Organic farming and traditional breeding protect climate and food security without toxic trade-offs."
Economic and Trade Disruptions
The reports suggest that HB4 wheat will deepen chemical dependence and increase costs for farmers. Even limited commercialization could trigger massive trade disruptions. Genetic contamination and supply-chain mixing could jeopardize all U.S. wheat exports, impacting even those farmers who choose not to plant the GM variety. Furthermore, GMO seeds often undermine economic sovereignty by locking farmers into restrictive contracts with powerful agro-chemical corporations.
Questionable Climate Claims
Despite being marketed as a "climate solution," HB4 wheat lacks independent evidence proving it performs better under drought conditions. In fact, some data suggests it may yield less than conventional wheat, even in dry years.
Once these technologies are released into the environment, the damage is often irreversible. Therefore, the greatest caution must be exercised. To protect the environment, public health, and the sovereignty of small farmers, it is vital to resist these technologies with unity.
The Case for Natural Alternatives
I have traveled to many Indian villages and spoken with hundreds of farmers—including wheat growers—who are evolving climate-resilient, ecological methods without hazardous chemicals. They are moving toward natural farming, maintaining or even improving yields while producing healthier food for their communities. Women farmers, in particular, are at the frontlines of this movement.
When such safe, sustainable alternatives exist, there is no need to opt for high-risk technologies. As the late Prof. Pushpa M. Bhargava, founder of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, once noted:
"There are over 500 research publications by scientists of indisputable integrity... that establish harmful effects of GM crops... On the other hand, virtually every paper supporting GM crops is by scientists who have a declared conflict of interest."
The time to examine these risks is now—before the damage to our global food system becomes permanent.
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The writer is the Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food and 14 Questions on GM Crops
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