GMOs have major market potential, says UGent study

According to a UGent statement, researchers have already created several crops with health advantages through genetic modification. The best results were achieved through the increase of multiple micronutrients in a single crop. This method leads to crops that contain more nutritional benefits, at a relatively low cost, according to the university.

A well-known example of such a crop is Golden Rice, which was created by enriching rice with vitamin A. Researchers at UGent have previously developed rice enriched with folic acid, or vitamin B9.

Researchers stressed in the study that there are potentially major public health benefits to be derived through the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but that there is much negative publicity around the subject, despite cultivators following strict rules and no known detrimental consequences.

“GMOs with health advantages are not a universal solution in the battle against malnourishment,” read the statement, “but they provide a complementary and cost-effective alternative when other strategies fail.”

The market study now shows that consumers would be willing to pay up to 70% more for GMOs with nutritional advantages. This is a big difference in consumer opinion from GMOs with only agricultural advantages, which would only be acceptable to consumers when offered at a lower price. In practice, no GMO with nutritional advantages has been approved, contrary to those with agricultural advantages.

Photo: Golden rice, pictured next to regular white rice. Golden rice is genetically modified to be richer in vitamin A