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In Hungary, the ban on GMOs was primarily driven by public health and environmental concerns, but there was also considerable resistance to GMOs among local farmers and consumers, which contributed to the policy decisions. The Hungarian government has emphasized the preservation of local food production and biodiversity, and has set itself the goal of protecting traditional farming methods.
"Do we really need to break taboos in today's Hungary to talk about GMOs?" began Dr. Ottó Toldi's presentation with this question. The Senior Analyst of the MCC Climate Policy Institute, based on his long years of research experience, contributed to the scientific understanding of gene transformation and GMOs and stressed their dangers.
The issue of gene transformation and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is becoming increasingly important again today, with the growing food needs of a growing population and the potential of modern biotechnology to open up new avenues in agriculture, food production and medicine. This technology allows the transplantation of selected genes or gene sequences from one living organism into another living organism, endowing it with new properties.
This is a highly controversial and debated area. Most people doubt the safety of genetically modified foods, while it is generally accepted in the scientific community that these products are essentially safe. A major argument in favor of genetic modification is that it can be used to produce crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases or that provide higher yields, thereby contributing to world food security. However, opponents point out that the cultivation of genetically modified crops can be harmful to the environment and human health in the long term.
He insisted that we can look at genetic modification and GMOs not only as processes that occur in nature, but also as safe and sustainable solutions. He outlined the benefits of genetic modifications, such as increased yields and increased resistance to pests, but also highlighted the potential risks, such as loss of biodiversity and impacts on ecosystems.
The ban on GMO cultivation in Hungary was the result of several factors. Genetic engineering is still at the center of intense scientific, economic and political debate. Rapid progress in the field of genetic modification, even on a scientific scale, has not allowed sufficient time to fully investigate the potential risks and long-term effects on human health and wildlife. There is a lack of long-term environmental impact studies, properly conducted toxicological/allergy studies and feeding trials. Our current knowledge is insufficient to make a realistic assessment of the environmental, ecological, health, social and economic risks of GMOs. If these organisms get out into the environment, they are very difficult, if not impossible, to monitor and to control. It is therefore very important to protect our unique natural assets, to preserve the GMO-free nature of our agriculture and to develop a GMO-free food chain.
He stressed the ethical and environmental aspects of genetic modification and warned that the use of this technology needs careful consideration.
Dr. Ottó Toldi, at the end of the presentation, pointed out that in the field of GM, particular emphasis should be placed on the safety and sustainability of the technology, which he hoped would be taken into account by countries where GM is not banned, as it affects Hungary's imports.
