GMOs and Food Security

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Disha Sriram

Disha Sriram
Greece
GMOs and Food Security
Food and Agricultural Organization
Forest Hills Central High School

In the current day, the use of GMOs when it relates to food security has been a very controversial topic that both politicians and the public have debated. Greece’s past actions have put GMOs under restrictions as of the approval on September 21, 2005 which required that GE products and derived products had to be authorized by the European Union Studies Association before they were allowed to be distributed.
Today, the laws implemented in Greece regulate the distribution of GMOs and prohibit the growth or importation of GMOs in Greece. Greece maintains a de facto ban on the cultivation and importation of genetically engineered food products. Greece maintains this stance because of the potentially harmful impacts GMOs can cause such as toxicity, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, immuno-suppression, cancer, and loss of nutrition. These six factors and more have the potential to harm thousands to millions of people around the world.
The country of Greece strived to end the cultivation of GMOs within its borders completely and permanently, in which Greece and other European countries like Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Scotland, and more have succeeded in doing so after a European regulation (EU regulation) was updated in 2015 from 2001.
The country of Greece implores that the UN end the growth and development of GMOs. GMOs have been proven to raise allergy and environmental concerns that have to be removed now. As per being under EU regulation, Greece advocates for similar practices to be applied globally. Greece recognizes that it is impossible to completely cease the use and development of GMOs, but keeping them under check and moderated is the best way to move forward for the safety of our world.
Greece would propose a resolution similar to the guidelines we already have in place which is the EU regulation. Firstly, having the option to ban the growth of GMOs on their country’s soil. This would give a country the right to refuse to grow any and all GMOs allowing them to be freed of them from their land. Secondly, requiring a risk assessment on the release of GMOs onto their land. This would entail an assessment of the GMOs along with public consultation before the GMOs are released for cultivation. Thirdly, the right to refuse the growth of GMOs in one’s territory. This means that even if GMOs are found safe, your territory would still have the right to refuse the growth of GMOs on your land.
An expansion of the EU regulation would be a good way to reduce the use and spread of harmful GMOs so that we can have a safer planet.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: George Gostenik

GMOs (otherwise known as Genetically Modified Organisms) are organisms whos genetic material has been altered through non-natural processes by enhancing certain characteristics and getting rid of others. GMOs especially benefit poorer countries by accelerating crop growth. Our country uses GMOs to create herbicides to destroy unwanted vegetation. An estimated 244% of herbicide sales have increased since the introduction of GMOs in 1994 (as of 2021). The UN has negotiated a biosafety protocol to regulate the international movement of GMOs and ensure that they are completely safe to use.
As a first-world country, Canada benefits from GMOs less than 3rd world countries due to them having a higher GDP and being able to afford food production, so we are willing to help other countries if needed. Canada does not allow the sale of GM foods unless Health Canada’s scientists approve that they are safe and nutritious. As of 2019, 140 GM foods have been permitted for sale in Canada. The GM foods we have reviewed are as safe and nutritious as non-GM foods. If new information arises regarding the safety of GM foods, we will review the data carefully and take appropriate action if we identify risks or concerns from eating these foods. We use the comparative approach to determine if a GM food is safe and nutritious. We participate in the work of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) working group for the safety of novel foods and feeds.
The Dominion of Canada encourages the UN to create regulations on GM foods to avoid the risks associated with them such as toxic and allergenic compounds. Data on these foods must be reviewed carefully, and we recommend that other countries use the Comparative approach to determine if a GMO is safe or not. We have made specific regulations for GM foods to ensure our country’s people are not affected by any type of GMO.

Sources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/genetically-modified-foods-other-novel-foods/safety.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343528/#:~:text=ABSTRACT,modified%20organisms%2C%E2%80%9D%20or%20LMOs.
https://cban.ca/gmos/issues/environmental-impacts/#:~:text=Herbicide%20sales%20in%20Canada%20have,be%20killed%20by%20those%20herbicides.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Abby Huffman

Food and Agriculture Organization
GMOs and Food Security
South Africa
Abby Huffman
Forest Hills Eastern

As the world population grows, so does the amount of mouths to feed. The unprecedented rate of population growth, especially in underdeveloped countries, presents an unprecedented challenge to the world regarding food security. In simplest terms, there is not enough food to go around. To face this, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have been gaining popularity throughout the world. GMOs seem like a viable solution to food shortages for many, largely due to their timeliness of growth, increased shelf life, ability to enhance nutrition, and low carbon footprint. However, GMOs also come with noteworthy criticisms, as they are new and scientists are unaware of their long term effects. Despite this, more than seventy countries either import or grow GMOs. GMOs are an essential tool to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which should be the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) ultimate goal.

South Africa has been a pioneer in the production of GMOs, being the first nation in Africa to grow them and one of only three nations in Africa producing them today. Currently, South Africa produces three genetically modified crops: maize, soybean, and cotton. South Africa clearly supports GMOs and recognizes their ability to fight food insecurity, but they also take the proper precautions to ensure the safety of their citizens or anyone who consumes GMO products. In order to produce any GMO, South Africans must obtain a permit. Furthermore, South Africa’s GMO Act establishes strict regulations and implements measures to promote the responsible development, production, use, and application of genetically modified organisms. Risk assessments and quality assurances are done at every stage of GMO development to ensure close evaluation and monitoring long before these products are available on the market. These initiatives ensure that South Africa can reap the benefits of GMOs while minimizing their potential dangers. Similar checking systems could be conducted by FAO by request from nations. This would help enable GMO production safely in underdeveloped countries, where GMOs are arguably most needed. Funding for such assessments could come from anti-hunger NGOs and scientific institutions focused on GMO research. South Africa adheres to the Codex Alimentarius published by FAO and WHO (World Health Organization), which is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations for food production. South Africa’s rigorous assessments ensure its citizens’ adherence to the Codex, and an international reflection of the system could ensure the global community’s compliance to a healthy future. Research is another essential element to the development of GMOs, and FAO should also consider research initiatives and funding opportunities in order to end food insecurity for good.

The global challenge of food insecurity demands bold, innovative solutions, and GMOs offer a promising path forward. South Africa’s model demonstrates how GMOs can be responsibly developed and regulated to address hunger while safeguarding public health and the environment. To build on this success, the international community must take action. Governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions should collaborate to establish global frameworks for the safe development and distribution of GMOs, especially in underdeveloped regions where they are most needed. By investing in rigorous research, implementing risk assessments, and adhering to internationally recognized standards like the Codex Alimentarius, FAO can ensure a future where no one goes hungry. Together, we can harness the potential of science to create a world where food insecurity becomes a challenge of the past.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Viet Nam
Delegate Name: Isabella Feenstra

The beneficial and adverse effects that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) pose in the realm of food security, health, and sustainability produce widespread impacts on families, societies, and populations. Since biochemists Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen discovered the method of recombinant gene crossover between disparate organisms in 1973, producing the first genetically modified organism (GMOs), genetic modifications surfaced in vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, starches, and organisms. The implementation of GMOs to reduce herbicide use, increase crop yields, and improve nutrient density holds promise for alleviating food insecurity and the severity of famine. However, the ambiguous inimical threats GMOs pose to human health and the integrity of food sources remain largely unknown. Thus, GMO use must be carefully monitored and limited within the mainstream lines of agricultural and animal production.
Public opposition to GMOs stems from the obscurity found within their long-term effects on human health, as these nascent culinary items and organisms have yet to undergo extensive testing due to their recent creation. The public remains wary because GMOs have the potential to destabilize safe foods, introduce allergen contaminations or new allergen proteins, increase antibiotic resistance, plant immuno-suppressants, and cause nutrient deficiencies. Various Vietnamese communities hold this GMO reluctance stemming from VietNam’s past encounters with Agent Orange and DDT during the Vietnam War with the United States of America during the 1950s-1970s. Both Agent Orange and DDT—a herbicide and pesticide used to clear vegetation and insects around military bases— are persistent organic pollutants that proved to impart detrimental health impacts, including congenital disabilities and cancer, on the Vietnamese population. Additional inimical results of colonization and wartime pesticides/herbicides encompass the Great Famine of 1944-45 and contaminated agricultural grounds. Consequently, VietNam suffered high rates of food insecurity and low crop yields after the ecological destruction from herbicides. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Viet Nam underwent the “POPs and Harmful Chemical Management Project,” which removed 50 tons of post-war pesticides like DDT from high-risk areas. However, despite these efforts, VietNam persists as the country with the highest DDT exposure even though the government banned its use and acknowledges the negative influences of pesticides on human health.
To mitigate the effects of hunger and the low productivity of agrarian fields, The Socialist Republic of VietNam seeks to implement sustainable agricultural practices that support consumer markets and local farmers alike. The invaluable benefits of GMOs for food stability, production, and prices cannot be overlooked. The Vietnamese terrain of dense, insect-infested jungle compounds the need for insect-resistant crops that GMOs afford. Recognizing the delicate nature of our communities’ past experiences with alterations to the environment, we seek to gradually incorporate gene editing and “biotech crop solutions through scientific research, technology transfer partnerships, and the continuous refinement of regulatory frameworks” to achieve food security, sustainability, and safety for the welfare of our citizens. In 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) instated the Inter-Ministral Circular 45/2015 that demands all GMO food products must be equipped with a biến đổi gien (genetically modified) label if their GMO contents exceed 5%. Moreover, this applies to imported GMO goods. This legal framework leaves the decision of GMO consumption with the consumer by providing them with adept information on the origins of their food resources.
We support further research regarding the effects and possibilities of GMOs in agriculture to achieve greater economic prosperity, greater food security, and greater sustainability within our country.

Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3791249/
https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Vietnam%20issues%20mandatory%20GMO%20labeling%20Circular_Hanoi_Vietnam_12-30-2015.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/science-and-history-gmos-and-other-food-modification-processes
https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/remembering-vietnams-great-famine/
https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1664429/viet-nam-has-slow-adoption-rate-of-genetically-modified-crops-gap-with-world-widening-ministry.html
https://www.undp.org/vietnam/blog/overcoming-viet-nams-toxic-legacy
https://grain.org/en/article/6863-gmos-in-asia-what-s-happening-and-who-s-fighting-back

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Liam Watson

Food security has been a critical global issue worsened by increasing population growth, climate change, and generally low agricultural productivity. With approximately thirty percent of the global population facing food insecurity, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been debated to address this issue. The implementation of GMOs poses a possible solution to food insecurity problems by increasing crop yields, enhancing the resilience of crops, and reducing the reliance on herbicides and pesticides to grow produce. In spite of these benefits, there still remains a lot of research to be done regarding the use of GMOs, and the topic should be handled with caution.
Ghana, with approximately eleven percent of the population food insecure, still struggles with complex situations like low soil fertility, pests, diseases, and climate variability that threaten food security. As for the topic of GMOs, the government has been working on these challenges so far by exploring ways of assessing the potential of GMOs to improve agricultural productivity while also regulating the safety of GMOs regarding health, the environment, and biodiversity. Ghana has already approved Bt cotton for commercial use and is looking into the use of GMOs such as maize, rice, and cassava for resistance problems like drought, pests, and poor soil. As of 2011, Ghana passed the Biosafety Act, which provides legal eligibility for developing, testing, and commercializing GMOs under certain government oversight. Additionally, the Republic of Ghana supports UN Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), which advocate for sustainable agricultural practices and action towards climate change. In summary, Ghana is taking a cautious but progressive approach towards the development and utilization of GMOs.
Ghana strongly advocates for international support in addressing food security challenges, particularly through the responsible use of GMOs. The country of Ghana recommends increased investment in agricultural research and development to develop climate-resilient genetically modified (GM) crops, such as drought-tolerant maize, Bt cowpea, and salt-tolerant rice. Ghana also calls for the establishment of global biosafety standards to ensure the safe use of GMOs. In addition, Ghana advocates for international collaboration on biosafety, employing guidelines from the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to ensure safe and effective use of GMOs is available in all countries. Regarding the international community, Ghana urges countries to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and provide financial assistance to help developing countries implement such technologies.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Yemen
Delegate Name: Lucas Roberts

Lucas Roberts
Elaina Anderson
Model U.N
25 November 2024
Position on GMO’s
The Delegation of Yemen believes and sees the potential in genetically modified organisms to help reduce or eliminate hunger within countries, especially those still developing. Though due to being one of the many countries that does not have extensive knowledge or experience in GMO’s, we have worries residing with the safety and potential risks for health and the environment when mass-producing GMO’s. Since this a less explored concept for many nations throughout the world, The Delegation of Yemen would like to address risk prevention and minimization before focusing on laying down the foundation for mass producing and distribution to countries in need so as to not further worsen the situations.
For the preservation of biodiversity within nations that would be using GMO’s to satiate their populous’ hunger and famine, The Delegation of Yemen would like to take measures to insure that said use of GMO’s would not harm the populous or environment of the nation’s that would use them
After ensuring that we, the FAO, could find a way safely distribute and produce GMO’s en masse, then The Delegation of Yemen would look to begin planning where and how the GMO’s would be produced and distributed to first as well as lay the foundation for nations to be capable of effectively and consistently producing GMO’s to help reduce hunger throughout the world.

Works Cited
Mokbel, Hamoud. Open Knowledge.fao.org, openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/54b27ba7-b0c7-43af-9020-8486c6d733d0/content/al310e07.pdf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Jamil, Kaiser . “Biotechnology –A Solution to Hunger? | United Nations.” Www.un.org, United Nations, 2022, www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/biotechnology-solution-hunger.‌

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Mackenzee Stanley-Eldred

Lack of food security leads to malnutrition, instability, and hinders development, particularly in vulnerable populations. GMOs can help address food insecurity by enhancing crop resilience, increasing yields, and providing more nutritious food in regions vulnerable to environmental stress and food shortages. Egypt advocates for the advancement of GMOs with a focus on safety and prioritizing the interests of its people, ensuring both food security and environmental protection.

Genetically modified crops in Egypt, particularly Bt cotton and drought-resistant maize, have contributed to a reduction in food instability by increasing yields and lowering production costs. For example, Bt cotton has resulted in a 20-25% increase in yield while reducing pesticide use by up to 50%, benefiting both farmers’ income and food supply.

In Africa, genetically modified drought-tolerant maize has improved yields by 20-30% in countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe, helping farmers cope with increasingly unpredictable rainfall. In South Africa, the introduction of genetically modified maize resistant to the fall armyworm has significantly improved food security. Since the adoption of this GM maize in 2018, farmers have seen a 30-40% increase in maize yields, despite the pest’s widespread damage, helping to stabilize food supplies in the region.

Egypt believes that the advancements of GMOs are crucial for enhancing food security and agricultural productivity, even though health and environmental concerns remain, as long as rigorous safety protocols are followed. Egypt proposes expanding the use of GMOs, including drought-resistant and pest-resistant crops, alongside strict regulatory oversight, to enhance food security and agricultural resilience in the face of climate change and population growth.

Sources:
FAO (2020). The Role of Biotechnology in Food Security and Agricultural Sustainability. Food and Agriculture Organization.
Egypt Ministry of Agriculture. “Genetically Modified Crops in Egypt: Status and Policy,” 2020.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023,” FAO.
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). “Global Status of Biotech Crops: 2020.”
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The Role of Biotechnology in Food Security,” 2022.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Sierra Leone
Delegate Name: Yutika, Mishra

Delegate Name: Yutika Mishra
Country: Sierra Leone
Topic: GMO’s and Food Security
Committee: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Food security remains an important subject worldwide. About 2.8 billion people, 35% of the global population, cannot afford a healthy diet, and entire countries are unsure when they might be able to have food.
As in Sierra Leone, food security is currently deficient. In the past, we have encountered many roadblocks, such as climate change and disease outbreaks. The 2014 Ebola outbreak had a large negative impact on our country’s food security. Many of our young generations are malnourished, and not being provided with the nutrients they need.
As of now, Sierra Leone is trying to promote more agricultural intensification. Spreading out more in terms of crop diversification, essentially trying to bring more stability to our country.
We would like to have the UN focus more on research about climate change. It affects the entire UN very largely, and we believe that starting at the root of the problem would be beneficial for all.
Looking at past events, we see how much the CoronaVirus pandemic affected food security throughout the world, especially in more vulnerable countries. One solution that we propose is to implement more GMOs into our food. Although some countries are hesitant to implement GMOs in everyday food sources for their country, They may be able to help stabilize food security more for most countries. We propose that any countries who are against using GMOs will be allowed to do so unless food security worsens and that any countries willing to start implementing them may.
In conclusion, Sierra Leone is insistent that the UN helps contribute to the increase of food security around the world, to help our world become stronger again.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Krishna Mano

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
GMOs and Food Security
Israel
Krishna Mano
City High Middle School

In a world that is becoming increasingly populated, it is essential that we ensure that this growth occurs at a sustainable pace. Continuing violence and escalating tensions in regions around the world have hindered our ability to make progress in our everlasting goal to eliminate food insecurity. Israel seeks to use scientific developments such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to solve this pressing issue of malnutrition and undernourishment within our nation as well as with our global partners. Despite the progress we have made so far as an international community, there is still far more work to be done. For these advancements to occur, Israel urges the FAO to update our existing regulatory guidelines in order to match the circumstances that we, along with the rest of the world, are experiencing in the status quo.

As a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention since 1956 and party to the The Convention on Biological Diversity since 1995, Israel has long been committed to researching the safe and sustainable development of GMOs to provide food security for people in our country and across the world. Both the IPPC and the CBD provide strong frameworks to promote the research of GMOs as a method for increased long-term sustainability. To ensure that our nation and its activities follow through with the agreed-upon standards, our national government established a Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development in Israel in 2003 which, among other matters, addresses the need for scientific research to increase the food supply while ensuring that this growth occurs at a steady, renewable rate. These measures have proven to be successful thus far, as Israel now hosts one of the fastest growing agricultural technology (AgTech) sectors in the entire world. This recent expansion, driven by the kibbutz (village) cooperative farming movement, has led to a marked rise of wheat, citrus, and other vegetable cultivation. However, while our nation has committed to a periodic review of our progress regarding these goals, the international guidelines which we, along with several other nations, have based our individual goals on must be revised and updated in a changing global environment.

When it comes to maintaining peace and stability, and enduring difficulties in doing so, Israel carries a unique perspective that many countries do not share. Our nation’s sovereignty and dignity has been infringed upon by the various terrorist groups and militias that wreak havoc on our people and our neighbors in the Middle East. Israel wants no part in these conflicts but, for the safety of our citizens and the security of our national boundaries, are forced to engage. Although limiting the illicit activities committed by these subversive organizations are beyond the jurisdiction of this committee, the conflicts that they fuel have been a primary factor in leaving 16.2% of Israeli households food insecure. Our nation finds GMOs to be an essential remedy to this problem, but also notes that current regulations and international guidelines are insufficient in addressing ongoing conflicts or threats of military engagement. Hence, Israel urges a prompt and thorough update to the existing frameworks to continue the safe and responsible development of GMOs. We support international cooperation to the highest degree possible as the entire world seeks to see an increased quality of life for all of our citizens.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Joshua Opherk

GLIMUN Position Paper

GMOS and Food Security

As the global population of the world skyrocketed following the industrial revolution, the ever-present issue of food insecurity grew ever higher. As an expanding world fought to meet the demand, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) became a simple, easy, and cheap solution to the problems of the day. Despite this, it is the firm opinion of the Swiss delegation that GMO’s are a growing and pressing public health crisis that must face immediate international regulation in order to control.

GMO’s use the artificial tampering of organisms to produce food stuffs that are more practical for mass production, harvesting, and distribution. Although seemingly helpful, under the surface a dark truth lies. GMO’s are often used by corporations and other private entities to cut corners and reduce the time and effort necessary to produce items. As the power of these individual groups like fast food, fruit, vegetable, and dairy companies grows further, these organizations become ever more unlikely to take independent action to limit their usage of GMO technology. This is why it is so crucial that international intervention takes place in order to limit the expansion and further use of this practice.

One of the key reasons that GMO’s have such a space to grow is the rising crisis of food insecurity across the world. Famines in underdeveloped countries and rising prices of food all play a detrimental role in the growing calamity, which is why initiatives must be taken immediately to put checks on the large corporations and reduce prices and increase the availability of food. It is the hope of the Swiss delegation that through proactive and productive debate, this crisis can be solved definitively and resolutely.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Kenna Charbauski

In the current age, discussions concerning the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to mitigate the global food crisis are increasingly urgent. Recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reports underscore the issue’s severity, with over 168 million people experiencing food insecurity. GMOs present a possible solution by increasing crop yield and resistance to pests. However, the impact of gene editing remains largely untested, and adopting GMOs prematurely could pose risks to both human health and environmental safety. 

The Russian Federation faces minimal food insecurity and has vowed to complete extensive research and regulation before allowing any GMOs to enter the domestic market. Innovative and untested technologies bring risk to the Russian population, so it is imperative that the safety of all products is ensured by the state. Unless approved by the government, the Russian Federation bans the importation and cultivation of GMOs. Enacted in 2016, the Federal Law on State Regulation of Genetic Engineering requires all genetically modified(GM) products imported to and grown in Russia to be registered with the government. This framework allows Russia to approve and regulate GMOs through complete health and safety testing. In 2020, President Vladimir Putin signed the Food Security Doctrine(FSD), which facilitated the importation of GM soy and animal feed overseen by the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection. For consumer safety, all approved GM products (excluding animal feed) are required to disclose GMO content on the label. The FSD also provides federal funding for GM research, reflecting the Russian Federation’s commitment to developing safe GMO products by conducting trustworthy studies. GMOs used for research purposes are not subject to state registration so long as they adhere to current health regulations. 

Strict regulation of GMO products allows the Russian Federation to focus on producing domestic organic food for its population. In the 2024/2025 marketing year, Russia is estimated to produce 81.5 million metric tons of wheat. Russian policies require that surplus wheat is given to food-insecure nations. In 2023 President Putin initiated bilateral agreements to supply wheat to six countries facing chronic undernourishment. The Russian Federation emphasizes the importance of growing organic food but recognizes the ever-pressing potential of GMOs. Although GMOs hold promise for the future, many are currently untested. The Russian Federation strongly urges for a ban on the distribution of potentially unsafe GMOs. It is important to remain precautious as the safety of GMOs has yet to be scientifically confirmed. Additionally, the Russian Federation supports the right of consumers to know the contents of their food and recommends all GM foodstuffs be labeled. The Federation also supports the continuation of a committee on GMOs to oversee research on the safety of GM products and register any new developments. The Russian Federation remains optimistic about new developments but discourages any hasty advancements. By promoting regulations and prioritizing safety, Russia aims to balance innovation with caution.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Joshua Opherk

As the global population of the world skyrocketed following the industrial revolution, the ever-present issue of food insecurity grew ever higher. As an expanding world fought to meet the demand, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) became a simple, easy, and cheap solution to the problems of the day. Despite this, it is the firm opinion of the Swiss delegation that GMO’s are a growing and pressing public health crisis that must face immediate international regulation in order to control.

GMO’s use the artificial tampering of organisms to produce food stuffs that are more practical for mass production, harvesting, and distribution. Although seemingly helpful, under the surface a dark truth lies. GMO’s are often used by corporations and other private entities to cut corners and reduce the time and effort necessary to produce items. As the power of these individual groups like fast food, fruit, vegetable, and dairy companies grows further, these organizations become ever more unlikely to take independent action to limit their usage of GMO technology. This is why it is so crucial that international intervention takes place in order to limit the expansion and further use of this practice.

One of the key reasons that GMO’s have such a space to grow is the rising crisis of food insecurity across the world. Famines in underdeveloped countries and rising prices of food all play a detrimental role in the growing calamity, which is why initiatives must be taken immediately to put checks on the large corporations and reduce prices and increase the availability of food. It is the hope of the Swiss delegation that through proactive and productive debate, this crisis can be solved definitively and resolutely.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Sadie Ankin

A large population of The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing food insecurity, with over 22% of the population being acutely food insecure. To help combat this issue the DRC receives aid in providing food to their citizens. Although, a tradeoff is that the majority of this aid contains Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GMOs are plants, animals, or microorganisms that have been altered through non-natural processes, this is often referred to as genetic engineering. GMOs come with tremendous benefits, but nevertheless the topic is handled with extreme precaution.
The DRC follows what is known as the precautionary principle, in regards to their management of GMOs. The precautionary principle entails that the DRC emphasizes the risk of harm that GMOs can cause to humans and all living organisms. It also includes the position that more research needs to be done, until GMOs can be fully accepted and incorporated into the agriculture field in the DRC. Following the precautionary principle, essentially means that the DRC leads with a sense of hesitation surrounding the topic of GMOs. The DRC leads with such hesitation because it is one of the most biologically diverse countries in Africa. The use of GMOs yields extreme threats to the biodiversity within the DRC. Additionally, the DRC believes there is not enough research focusing on how GMOs impact human health. Throughout sub-saharan Africa there is a major split regarding support and opposition to GMOs. Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda support the use of GMOs, the DRC, along with Tanzania, and Burundi, have expressed reservations. Following trends of the region the DRC follows the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The DRC has been a party to CBD since 1994 and has taken several steps to implement its principles of conserving biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Overall, the legally binding treaties’s objective is to encourage actions regarding GMOs that will lead to a sustainable future. The DRC has been a party to the Nagoya Protocol, a supplementary agreement to the CBD, since 2015. The Nagoya Protocol provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety has many objectives including, working to ensure an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). Although the DRC remains skeptical about the use of GMOs, it is one of the nation’s only benefactors in trying to solve the problem of food insecurity.
The DRC recognizes that there is no way to completely eliminate the use of GMOs, especially due to the large percentage of citizens facing acute food insecurity. Instead, the DRC looks to implement the agreements: the Convection on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, all while following the precautionary principle. With these efforts in place, the DRC hopes to maintain the welfare of biodiversity, as agriculture is the livelihood of its people. Before fully accepting GMOs the DRC aims to conduct further research, to ensure that no harm is inflicted on its people or other living organisms.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: United States of America
Delegate Name: Sloane Truckenbrod

Delegate: Sloane Trukenbrod
Committee: ECOSOC
School: Francis W. Parker School
Topic: GMOs and Food Security
Representing: USA

A common debate in food security is about eating genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Genetic modification helps crops resist insects, drought, and disease, so farmers can grow more food with dependable harvests. In the United States alone, the varieties of transgenic corn, soybeans, and cotton account for over 90 percent of each of these crops. Because the world population will increase to 10 billion by 2050, GMOs have gained the greatest importance due to the rising demand for food. Yet, the debate on this topic has reached a fever pitch, as questions about environmental and health impacts evoke mixed feelings among the general public.
Even as the U.S. is a global powerhouse for food, food security remains a complicated issue in America, with climate change, economic inequality, and swinging production costs taking their toll. This means millions of Americans continue to suffer from food insecurity, about 10.5% of households, according to recent data from the USDA. With these challenges at hand, the government encourages GMOs as one sure way of ensuring foods are readily available to counter their price increases whenever the weather conditions become extreme. This is a means of ensuring that foods are within people’s reach and at affordable prices, especially for the less fortunate.
However, GMOs continue to meet with fierce resistance among the public in the United States. Many Americans are terrified of potential long-term side effects on health, even as scientific studies declare GMOs safe for consumption. Other concerns include those on the environmental impact, specifically on issues of biodiversity and contamination of organic crops. In these divided positions, centered around a scientific consensus, lies the quite problematic situation that exists for the government in promoting GMOs.
Americans also lack trust in the large companies driving GMO technology such as Bayer, formerly known as Monsanto. These companies have repeatedly been criticized for their controlling tendencies regarding seed and hard-sell legal tactics that can give the appearance of putting profits over public benefit. This perception of corporate control over the food system only serves to further entrench public distrust, making GMOs seem less like solutions to food security and more like tools of profit. As such, government support of GMOs should go hand in hand with transparency and public engagement toward building trust necessary for wider acceptance.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: China
Delegate Name: Wendy Schmit

Topic: GMOs and Food Security
Country: People’s Republic of China
Delegate: Wendy Schmit

Did you know that China holds around ⅙th of the world population? Being the densest populous country, China has more mouths to feed than any other continent in the world. In the past 100 years, China has lost between 30 to 40 million people to famine. This period of time was called Three Years of Great Famine and is the largest famine in modern history. Regions in the Northeast part of China struggle with food insecurity the most due to the constant changes in the land as it disrupts farmers’ crop seasons. Not only does this disrupt farmers’ lives, it also forces China to rely on international imports from other countries which is not a reliable source of production. As climate change continues to worsen.

With this staggering feat, Beijing has worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to create regulations for safe distribution of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) including different types of corn, soybeans, and rice. While China has made cautious and strategic steps into GMOs, the UN and other nations are a part of numerous projects and conventions, including the Aarhus Convention and the Cartagena Protocol of Biosafety which was organized under the leadership of Austria. The conventions focused on cooperation between the two conventions, channeling GMO/LMOs equipment, and mainstreaming biosafety and public awareness. Other organizations include Greenpeace, UNECE, and ISAAA.

China has made slow movements in innovation and the integration of GMOs, allowing them to sustain a well balanced and sustainable economy while also being healthy and effective. The health and continuous decline of food insecurity is one of the most imperative problems that the government recognizes. In the past 10 years, China has kept a constant number of 5 on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), making it 1 out of the 22 countries to do so. Despite this good trend, China wants to take cautious actions which is why China has slowly exercised the idea of GMOs, innovation and greener ways of farming. To promote self efficiency and more sustainable innovations, China has started certifying specific GMO crop productions like different varieties of maize and soybeans. Chinese citizens have had a history of being hesitant of producing GMOs because of the risk of health but once the government started the production, the Global Hunger Index has stayed the same or has improved, which is far from the rest of the population. Some other things that China has begun is turning to greener ways of production. Cutting back greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change and using technology to innovate sustainable agricultural methods. In the National Smart Agriculture Action Plan (2024-2028) including six other departments (MARA, NDRC, MEE, SFGA), China has turned to using digital platforms for large-scale production, machinery to improve efficiency in the food chain and to get laboratory equipment on the field.

While China wishes to see GMOs and other sustainable and healthy practices happen, the health and safety is the top priority of the Chinese government. It wants to sustain the progress that has already happened in China and the best way China knows how to do this is by innovations and education. China has already begun developing better communication equipment for local farmers and better weather predictors. Along with a nature based solution at the catchment scale, risk mitigation plan, and an emergency financial aid. However, this might be the most sustainable method for the long term and some countries might not have the funds or land space to do this.

Works Cited

Assisting countries to promote transparent and participatory decision-making ‎regarding living modified
organisms and genetically modified organisms ‎ | UNECE. (2020, January 9). Unece.org. https://unece.org/environment/news/assisting-countries-promote-transparent-and-participatory-decision-making

China’s Genetically Modified Dilemma. (2024). Asia Society.
https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/chinas-genetically-modified-dilemma‌

China. (n.d.). Global Hunger Index (GHI) – Peer-Reviewed Annual Publication Designed to
Comprehensively Measure and Track Hunger at the Global, Regional, and Country Levels. https://www.globalhungerindex.org/china.html

China: Plan for Green and Sustainable Ag Development | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
(2021, October 27). Fas.usda.gov. https://fas.usda.gov/data/china-plan-for-green-and-
sustainable-ag-development

Dong, K., Prytherch, M., McElwee, L., Kim, P., Blanchette, J., & Hass, R. (2024). China’s Food
Security: Key Challenges and Emerging Policy Responses. Www.csis.org.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-food-security-key-challenges-and-emerging-policy-responses

GreenPeace. (2019). GMOs & Toxic Pesticides. Greenpeace USA.
https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable-agriculture/issues/gmos/

Jin, Y., Schaub, S., Tosun, J., & Wesseler, J. (2022). Does China have a public debate on genetically
modified organisms? A discourse network analysis of public debate on Weibo. Public Understanding of Science, 096366252110701. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625211070150

Ka, F., Zhu, Y.-G., Wang, J., Chen, J., Johnson, M. F., Li, G., Chen, W.-Q., Wang, L., Li, P., & Wang, J.
(2024). Food security in climatic extremes: Challenges and opportunities for China. Cell Reports Sustainability, 1(2), 100013–100013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2023.100013

Liang, J., Yang, X., Jiao, Y., Wang, D., Zhao, Q., Sun, Y., Li, Y., & Wu, K. (2022). The evolution of
China’s regulation of agricultural biotechnology. ABIOTECH, 3(4), 237–249. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42994-022-00086-1

MARA Issues List of GM Maize and Soybean Approved for Planting in China. (2024). Crop Biotech
Update. https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21041

Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: China | Law Library of Congress. (2015). Loc.gov.
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‌Whiting, K. (2022, March 11). Food security: How China plans to feed its 1.4 billion people. World
Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/03/china-seawater-rice-food-security/

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Delegate Name: Ella Rose

In a world where GMOs are a huge threat to food security in every country, the Syrian Arab Republic has responded by banning GMOs in markets around the country to keep their people safe from this threat to food. The Syrian Arab Republic’s beliefs on GMOs are that it is a threat and harmful to people and food security. They have been a part of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety since 2004. This is an International agreement to make food transport safer, to protect foods from new biotechnology that isn’t good for the human body and not help keep biodiversity, which, if not maintained, can also damage the ecosystem.
The Syrian Arab Republic believes that this committee should be focusing on how to stop GMOs and the companies that produce these products, so we can get them off the agriculture market. Another topic of focus should be how to make food safer and get companies to be more reliable to not producing GMOs.

A solution that could contribute to the solution for stopping GMOs is to invest in green tech farming. Green tech farming is a more eco-friendly farming method to help stop the spread of GMOs and make sure that food production is monitored so that GMOs aren’t purposefully put in food. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement to try and ensure the safety of Living Modified Organisms, also known as LMOs. This agreement would aid with efforts to control GMOs because they are very difficult to completely eliminate.

In conclusion, the Syrian Arab Republic would like to propose a UN promotion of the solution of Green tech farming to help the more desolate areas with farming, as well as helping with climate change, also it can help the safety of food production and keeping it safe from GMOs and other chemicals.

Works Cited
https://bch.cbd.int/protocol
https://www.greentech-agriculture.com
https://www.fao.org

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Andrew Tompkins

Simply put, the Philippines has a food issue. The Philippines ranks 67th of 117 recorded countries on the GFSI (Global Food Security Index) and even more concerningly ranks 100th of 117 recorded countries in food sustainability. If you look at the nation’s GDP (gross domestic product) this figure appears confusing as the Philippines ranks 37th of 176 countries in GDP so it stands to reason that the nation is producing food at a level relative to its economic production. Now if you look at GDP per capita instead the Philippines drops to 114th of 176 countries which makes the GFSI score make more sense as it becomes apparent that the Philippines’ relatively high GDP in a vacuum isn’t able to hold up to its population of 117 million. Even with GDP per capita in consideration, their food sustainability score is still very low relative to their economy, this is a result of them being semi-dependant on other nations such as China and the USA for food imports due to their extremely small amount of arable land relative to their population.

Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are a broad topic in scientific research but for this discussion, we are examining GMOs in the context of food production. GMOs are a tool used to more efficiently produce agriculture. Farmers genetically alter agriculture for more favorable qualities such as quicker growth rates and a larger size once fully grown which allows higher levels of food production and lowers the cost of food due to an increase in supply and a decrease in production cost. The debate on GMOs centers around the weighting of the positive effects of GMOs, being cheaper food that’s more sustainable, and the negative effects of GMOs, which are their effect on the environment and their potential health downsides. GMOs negatively impact the environment because they introduce new species of plants into the ecosystem that are bred to outlast their natural counterparts which leads to the endangerment of native agricultural species.

While GMOs have their downsides and aren’t a sustainable long-term solution those downsides are for lack of a more accurate description, first-world problems. While dwindling biodiversity, large farming conglomerates pushing family farms to the side in favor of large-scale production, and an ambiguous effect on long-term health are important issues, nations like the Philippines all around the globe can’t afford to concern themselves with potential long-term effects when a solution is needed in the short term with no obvious alternatives. If GMO products can feed the ever-growing number of those under threat of starvation around the globe then we have no choice but to make use of them and accept the unfortunate consequences of GMOs as a necessary evil. That is not to say that nothing should be done about the harmfulness of GMOs. We propose that a dedicated United Nations task force be formed for the sole purpose of finding safer alternatives to GMOs or solutions that would cut down on the drawbacks of these genetically modified crops. Our counsel should strive to promote methods of containing GMO-produced agriculture so that it does not contaminate native agricultural species. Our member nations should place regulations on GMO agricultural production that put strict guidelines on how you handle these new strains so that natural strains can thrive.

The Philippines cares deeply about the environment, we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet filled with abundant biodiversity. We understand the consequences that GMOs may have on our environment, despite our priority being the quality of life and well-being of the Filipino people and if allowing GMO crops to become the new agricultural wave without restriction then that is a measure that our great nation is willing to take and that we are confident many other nations around the globe would take without question.

Work Cited:
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/frontier-technology-quarterly-may-2019/
https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/project/food-security-index/
https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732/#:~:text=Potential%20health%20risks%20to%20humans,resistant%20genes%20to%20gut%20flora.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Liam Watkins

Food security is of major importance for sustainably furthering continuous development, yet millions of people globally still face hunger and malnutrition. The Republic of Columbia is especially relevant in this conversation, as a country that, although agriculturally rich, has a delicate and endangered ecology. The Republic of Colombia recognizes the potential benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to alleviate hunger while safeguarding biodiversity. However, we are aware and cautious of the potential dangers and believe in implementing strict biosafety measures, as shown by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of which we are a signatory. The Republic of Colombia is dedicated to furthering productive solutions to solve food security and promote sustainable development.

Colombia, known for its coffee, bananas, and other exports, faces significant food security challenges, particularly in rural areas plagued by poverty, conflict, and climate change. We have cautiously permitted GMOs for specific crops like corn and cotton, mainly to boost productivity and reduce pesticide use. However, Colombia’s people have pushed against the use of GMOs due to concerns over safety and the loss of traditional farming practices. The impacts of GMOs on food security are very relevant to Colombia’s priorities, including rural development and biodiversity conservation to promote a more resilient ecology. While GMOs offer enhanced crop resilience against pests and climate stress, their ecological risks, such as gene flow to wild relatives, must be carefully managed. Colombia views GMOs not as a cure-all, but as a potential tool in a broader strategy for sustainable agricultural development.

The Republic of Colombia believes in essentially three central questions that this committee must focus on answering. How can international institutions like the FAO support nations in addressing public skepticism of GMOs while promoting informed decision-making? What policies can encourage the development of GMOs tailored to specific regional climates and ecosystems, especially in countries like Colombia with diverse geographies? And lastly, how can the FAO ensure that the adoption of GMOs respects the cultural and traditional agricultural practices of our indigenous communities?

The solutions that the Republic of Colombia would like to see further discussed in implementing would be further international collaboration on developing climate-resilient GMOs. The Republic of Colombia’s expertise in tropical agriculture is especially relevant to creating crops suited to biodiversity hotspots. The Republic of Columbia also supports the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, of which we are a signatory and advocate for its global implementation. Strengthening these frameworks minimizes environmental risks as we bring in more GMOs. We would also like to see pushes to spread accurate information about GMOs, including their benefits and limitations, for which participation with NGOs is particularly important. Lastly, to ensure inclusivity, Colombia emphasizes the importance of affordable GMO seeds and technical training and education for small farmers, enabling equitable benefits from technological advancements for all states.

The Republic of Colombia’s adherence to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety demonstrates its commitment to safe GMO handling. This protocol is a ‘guiding framework for balancing biotechnology use and biodiversity preservation’. Additionally, Colombia’s National Development Plan document outlines future development goals, in which rural development and food security are major issues, with plans including GMO adoption strategies to improve agricultural productivity. The Republic of Colombia signed The FAO’s Guidelines on Biotechnology guidelines which advocate for ‘science-based policies that address ethical, social, and economic dimensions of GMO use’. Our adherence to these documents illustrates our motivation and dedication to facing food insecurity.
Through this committee, The Republic of Colombia’s goal is to contribute to technological advancements in agriculture to end hunger while respecting the planet’s ecological and cultural diversity. Through collaboration, education, and, especially so, stringent regulation, The Republic of Colombia believes the FAO can lead the way in ensuring GMOs serve as a tool for global food security, not at the expense of public trust or environmental integrity.

Bibliography
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Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Albania
Delegate Name: Madilyn Feld

Albania is a somewhat secure country when it comes to food, but improvements still need to be made. For a household to have food insecurity is to have an insufficient amount of food and/or not knowing where your next meal is going to come from. 35% of the world’s population and nearly 32% of Albanians suffer from food insecurity (Halili). That number is growing rapidly by the year. These food shortages are mostly results of climate change and international conflicts, specifically between Ukraine and Russia. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI), 4.5% of Albanians are considered undernourished and 0.9% of Albanian children under the age of 5 die from hunger each year. Albania ranks 42nd out of 127 in the GHI and has a score of 7.9 which is considered low. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. That could be a plant or animal that has been genetically modified through its DNA. By using GMOs to produce food, we could potentially lower the number of Albanians and even world citizens suffering from food insecurity. By growing foods using biotechnology, we would be able to produce more food, therefore feeding more people. And with even more research and many more regulations, we will be able to ensure the safety of these products. According to an article by an Albanian college student, Albania does not have specific legislation on the usage of GMOs but is working towards establishing a traceability system for products composed of or deriving from GMOs. A traceability system is a way to track and label all GM products in the market.

What can we do to monitor the usage of GMOs and what kinds of systems would be beneficial for all nations and industries? We should ask ourselves these questions when building a solution. We should also discuss the controversies of using GMOs and how allowing them worldwide could affect UN countries. We also need to understand the risks that come with GMOs, especially to our citizens’ health. Can the use of GMOs help combat worldwide food insecurity? We need to fully understand the connections between food security and GMOs before any further actions are taken.

Albania highly suggests creating a global policy to monitor and regulate the usage of GMOs, especially for products placed in markets. Albania has no interest in fully banning the use of GMOs because they currently play a vital role in its food production and industry. That being said, Albania is also not for letting anyone use GMOs without regulations. The perfect solution would include a plan to regulate GMO production and be applicable to all nations, regardless of their type of industry or economy.
Albanian legislation on GMOs is quite limited. Legislation on this issue includes small protocols and a few laws that briefly cover GMO usage. Some of these regulatory actions include the ratification of “Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety”, the acceptance of the ‘GMO amendment,’ and the passing of the “Law on the Production, Processing, Certification, and Marketing of Biological Products”. These all briefly touch on the topic of GMOs but none put specific regulations or constraints on GMOs in place. In the future, we would like to see more of these created and passed in order to safely allow GMOs in our country.

In summary, Albania would look favorably upon coming up with a traceability system in order to regulate GMOs, and create a resolution similar to COP28 that would protect the most vulnerable from the effects of climate change. Resolution 2417 made great progress in the mission for zero hunger by “Condemning starvation of civilians and unlawfully denying humanitarian access as warfare tactics,” but we should strive for more than that. The usage of GMOs could potentially reduce global food insecurity by great amounts and it should continue to improve in safety over the years. In an ideal situation, we would be able to use GMOs worldwide without having to worry about the risks. Albania hopes to work with other countries in committee to improve GMO usage for a better future for the world.

Works Cited
Brankov, Tatajna. “Exploring the Legal Framework of Genetically Modified Organisms in the Western Balkans”. EKOHOMNKA 16 January, 2024.

Dersha, Edlira. “Needs and challenges in the area of Organism of Genetically Modified in Albania”. unece.org.

Albania Country Report. Crisis 24. 7 April, 2022.

Banjo, Damilola. “Albania’s Proposing a ‘Humanitarian Alliance’ to Get UN Aid Faster to Crisis Zones”. Pass Blue. 4 September, 2023.

“Genetically Modified Organisms, Albania Accepts Changes to the Aarhus Convention Regarding Transparency”. Monitor. 17 September, 2020.

“Albania”. Global Hunger Index. 2024.

“Traceability and Labeling”. European Union.

Halili, Eduart. “32% of Albanians Suffering Food Insecurity”. Albanian Daily News. 12 August, 2022.

“COP28 UAE Declaration On Sustainable Agriculture Resilient Food Systems, And Climate Action”. COP28.

“Conflict and Hunger”. WFP.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Senegal
Delegate Name: Caitlyn Leahy

Country: Republic of Senegal
Committee: Food and Agriculture Organization
Topic: GMOs and Food Security
Delegate: Caitlyn Leahy
School: Williamston High School

Widespread poverty and food insecurity are one of the most pressing issues in the world. One of the United Nations’ development goals is to end hunger and malnutrition, which is why the Food and Agriculture Organization sub-committee was created. Today, 37.9 million people live under the poverty line and have difficult access to nutritious food, as well as an estimated 828 million people who are malnourished. Areas with little access to resources and healthy food include regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as countries plagued by violence like Hati and Yemen. A new and hopeful solution to widespread hunger is genetically modified organisms that can help farmers produce more food and persist through challenges posed to traditional farming. Using GMO seeds for agriculture in these areas significantly increases the production of crops and the overall amount of food in an area.
Because of this,Senegal has implemented new laws to allow the use of genetically engineered seeds in their agriculture. The rural areas of Senegal are one of the hungriest, which causes 17% of children under the age of five to be chronically malnourished. This is because of intergenerational poverty and the young age of mothers in these areas. GMO farms will hopefully cause this cycle to end by making food more available to mothers and children. 90% of biotech farms are in underdeveloped nations as a solution to many climate and land related threats that can destroy a community’s access to healthy food. Senegal’s government implemented a 2009 policy that discouraged the use of GMOs and the use of other biologically enhanced techniques, but a 2022 law nullified these restrictions on genetically altered crops. The new law does have many of its own restrictions involving international trade partners and criminal charges. GMOs are controversial as many believe that it is inappropriate for the small-scale farming culture of Senegal and there is little research in this area.
The Republic of Senegal believes that more research should be implemented regarding how effective GMOs are on overall hunger and on how GMOs affect subsistence farming. Senegal supports using UN programmes to help fund easier access to some GMO seeds and funding for food banks in rural areas where surplus GMO crops would go to feed the community. To address the controversy of GMOs, Senegal proposes a labelling mandate for all products created using genetically modified crops, so consumers can choose if they do not want to purchase these goods. Senegal also believes that keeping regulatory government organizations well-funded would be one of the most pressing challenges of using GMOs. The Republic of Senegal expects to find allies with its neighboring countries that are open-minded to using genetically modified food as a solution to hunger.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Cordelia Bollis

Country: Peru
Committee: FAO
Topic: GMOs and Food Security
Delegate: Cordelia Bollis
School: Williamston High School

Genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs, have been globally prevalent in food production. Over time the world has become more dependent on GMOs as it has become beneficiary to use these to alter the DNA of a crop in order to make them modified to certain aspects you want in the crop. One way they modify crops is by making the crop more reproducible to combat the issue of world hunger, as world hunger continues to worsen over time, so the demand for more food to be produced increases. Furthermore, there has also been wheat that was modified to prevent the need for pesticides that could be harmful. However GMOs aren’t superlative, as they have raised the concern for the environment. Consumers have been relying on GMOs, however some are concerned with how liable the GMO labeling is, as this may pose a threat to their safety if they don’t wish to consume them.
Peru however, has been a key contributor on the issue of genetically modified organisms, or more commonly known as GMOs. In 2011, Peru legislated the law Consumer Protection and Defense Code or CPDC, which gives the consumers rights to know what ingredients are contained in their products, as stated in article 37 and 65 which mandates that foods that contain genetically modified components must have a label indicating that they are a GMO. However, many companies don’t obey this law or they make the labels hardly noticeable, which is very problematic as consumers don’t know if the products they are buying are correctly labeled, causing distrust. Also in 2011 Peru implemented a ten-year moratorium on the cultivation of GMOs hoping to study the effects GMOs have on the environment while also maintaining the safety of biodiversity within an ecosystem. Then Peru has invested money into researching methods that can detect GMOs in imported goods. Furthermore Peru also participates in biodiversity conservation programs such as the National Program for the Conservation of Native Crops, Support for Indigenous and Traditional Farming Communities, Potato Park, and Biotrade Initiatives. These programs help support Peru’s native plants, organic crops, and local farmers who cultivate non-GMO crops. Moreover, Peru works alongside NGOs to spread awareness campaigns through public events, social media, and partnerships with local markets which aim to educate the people on the impacts of GMOs and the importance of biodiversity.
The delegation of Peru acknowledges the importance of preserving biodiversity, traditional agricultural practices, consumers rights via labeling laws, and the need of educational awareness campaigns. Peru wants to continue the Consumer Protection and Defense Code, but with the expansion of stricter enforcement of said law, should be mandatory in order to protect consumer safety with these stricter labeling requirements. This would hopefully reduce the issue on hand, while also getting the consumer satisfactory products knowing that they are labeled correctly. Peru also wants to continue researching the effects GMOs have on the environment, by continuing the temporary ban in order to pursue said goal, and with this decision it prevents the risk of GMOs being exposed to the environment and becoming destructive to it. Peru also wants to expand the awareness campaigns of GMOs because lots of people don’t know the effects GMOs have on the environment and because many people in general don’t know how it affects their diet. Finally Peru acknowledges that European countries also have the same belief in which they have GMOs banned, as they’re unpredictable towards the safety of their environment.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Colin Zaremski

Committee: FAO
Topic: GMOs and Food Security
Country: Germany
Delegate: Colin Zaremski
School: Williamston High School

Food security across the world is an extremely important issue and it affects approximately over 300 million people worldwide in more than 70 countries. A large group of those people who are affected by food insecurity are on the brink of famine and mostly found in places of current conflict. Without proper access to food, places under threat of going into famine will continue to face this issue; however, a solution to food security is genetically modified organisms(GMOs). GMOs are plants that have been genetically modified for a specific purpose like growing in dry or arid climates or made for a larger crop yield. There have been issues with GMOs though. They have been known to mutate and cause health issues for those who consume them such as allergic reactions and dietary issues. For these reasons it has caused many people to become worried about the possible long term effects of GMOs and has caused a push to outlaw and find alternatives without GMOs. Without GMOs though, the world loses a tool it has in fighting food insecurity so the international community will have to find other practices and strategies to help combat food insecurity in many countries across the world.
Germany in the past has felt mixed about the use of GMOs. Germany has supported their use in scientific research but has recommended for them to not be used for human consumption. There is a push to use them to help the agricultural economy of Germany but, these steps may be overridden by possible European Union(EU) restrictions and bills put into place.with food security Germany has promised to help provide the necessary teachings to help food insecure regions learn how to efficiently grow food and help the starving populations. Germany has also been working together with EU partners and other countries to help provide food and other aid to regions with high food insecurity.
Germany’s plan going forward is to prevent the deregulation of GMOs across the EU and help impose more restrictions on them and limit their use to the civilian population of countries around the world. To help with food insecurity Germany has provided funding to various UN agencies set up to help combat food insecurity and continues to provide large funding to those agencies fighting food insecurity across the globe. Germany has also been calling for and supporting the trade and shipment of food to areas hit hard by food insecurity. Germany also pushes other able countries to help support their effort and provide funding or help the trade of food to hungry regions.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Ireland
Delegate Name: Elizabeth Zaremski

Country: Ireland
Committee: FAO
Topic: GMOs And Food Security
Delegate: Elizabeth Zaremski
School: Williamston High School

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs, have been used in food for decades. The way foods are genetically modified is by identifying the genetic information—or “gene”—that gives an organism (plant, animal, or microorganism) a desired trait, copying that information from the organism that has the trait, and then inserting that information into the DNA of another organism and growing the new organism. This gives one organism a certain characteristic of another. The practice of microorganisms have become a norm in today’s society, resulting in many food companies using GMOs. It can create many long-lasting effects on the people who consume them, including, but not limited to cancer, accelerated aging, changes in human DNA, toxicity for human organs, and food allergies. These effects can cause higher hospitalization rates in countries that don’t have the means to regulate the GMOs in their foods. As a result of these issues, we need food security. Food security can increase the physical availability of food, increase the economic and physical access to food, and increase food utilization.
In Ireland, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the environmental aspects of GM technology including contained use, crop trials, and the placing on the market of GM crops for general cultivation purposes. The seed certification division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) works with the EPA with respect to GM seed regulation, while the animal feed section of DAFM regulates the importation and use of GM feed. The use of GMOs in medicines and pharmaceuticals is the responsibility of the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Ireland has implemented the “contained use” of GMOs and GMMs (Genetically Modified Microorganisms). GMOs or GMMs may be classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4, based on the risk the GMO/GMM poses to human health and the environment as determined by a risk assessment. Class one is no risk level, and requires little to no containment. Class 2 is low-risk, and requires little containment. Class 3 is moderate-risk, and requires some containment. Class 4 is high-risk, and requires a lot of containment. Ireland has also started implementing a prohibition/restriction on GM crops in the country. This decision will not allow Irish farmers or consumers to obtain the benefits of innovative agricultural tools, including GM technology to combat the challenges of climate change and food insecurity.
Ireland plans to continue the prohibition of GM crops in the country and become free of GM crops and cultivation. Ireland plans to work with countries like the U.S., the U.K., and the rest of the E.U. to help the cause.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Afghanistan
Delegate Name: Jack Cook

The republic of Afghanistan is favorable towards the positive economic and agricultural effects created by GMOS. With this being said the potential downsides of GMOS are also an area of concern in the republic of Afghanistan. For multiple decades now, the nation of Afghanistan has ranked consistently low in terms of the global hunger index. This promotes the integration of GMOS to increase crop yields locally as well as increase drought tolerance which is a major issue in Afghanistan. Furthermore, nearly 61% of households in Afghanistan make their income from agriculture. With such a high number of Afghan citizens living off of agriculture and farming the increased crops yields promoted in GMOs could significantly help the Afghan economy which also ranks very low amongst other countries in the world. One study previously conducted on the effects of GMOs showed that crops grown from GM seeds yielded 160.4 bushels of Bt corn per field, while crops grown from non-GM seeds yielded 147.7 per field. Such a profound difference could be extremely beneficial towards the nation of Afghanistan’s economy but also food security.

In the past, the republic of Afghanistan has struggled greatly with food security for its citizens. More than 17 million Afghan citizens experience high levels of acute food insecurity this is approximately 40% of its citizens. Nearly 3.4 million of which experience IPC phase 4 levels of food insecurity. Some initiatives have helped to serve the food security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021 however it is not nearly enough. The Republic of Afghanistan has graciously accepted the help of the World Food Program (WFP) in supporting drought affected areas throughout Afghanistan as well as the assistance of the UNICEF in providing emergency nutrition assistance in Afghanistan. In addition, since the withdrawal of U.S troops from Afghanistan in 2021, The United States has contributed over 11 billion dollars to various assistance programs across Afghanistan. This includes 280 million USD towards the WFP which helped over 18 million people in food assistance. Afghanistan also received 81 million dollars through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund which also provided crucial support to Afghan citizens. Needless to say, Afghanistan relies pretty heavily on outside support and food security initiatives. Even though the Afghan government is not currently in power the government of Afghanistan still feels strongly about the topic of its citizens in relation to food security and advocates strongly for further assistance and or measures to reduce food insecurity and economic instability in the area of agriculture. Recognizing this standpoint the government of Afghanistan does not support the limiting or banning of GMOs which could show major improvements in many aspects of Afghanistan including food security and local economies.

Recognizing the last two paragraphs the republic of Afghanistan strongly supports and encourages any helpful relief initiatives based on the topic of food/food security and or any friendly treaties or trades in the interest of obtaining new methods for reliable food sourcing for afghan people. Whilst the citizens of Afghanistan continue to struggle with food security the government of Afghanistan would not be open to any relations that clearly violate any Afghan laws or trading regulations. This also includes any potential relations looking to clearly take advantage of the people of Afghanistan and or Afghanistan’s resources.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: France
Delegate Name: Hannah Hudack

Great Lakes Invitational Model UN Nations Conference
Food Agriculture Organization
Delegation: France

GMO’s and Food Security in France

The topic of using GMOs for the future stems from an understanding of food security as well as the benefits they bring forth. GMO’s, (genetically modified organisms) were mainly used to prevent farmers from crop loss and to control weeds. However, it was realized that they can do much more than just that. GMO’s can be used in medicine, laboratory research, and in textiles because they prevent contamination and help us better understand the root of biological disease. Since knowing this, it has been the main possible solution to prevent food insecurity among the next generations. By 2030, indications state that 582 million people will be underfed and malnourished due to access of little or no food (Manetti). The meaning of food security is the state of having access to nutritious and affordable food. If the indications of 2030 are true, then food insecurity and worldwide malnutrition could spread. This is exactly why GMOs are linked to this topic, since they could be the main possible solution to this concern. If GMOs can prevent the loss of crops and require less resources to maintain, then it is the FAO’s mission to recognize and implement the FFPI (FAO’s food price index) and FIFF (food import financing facility) so that securing the state of healthy and nutritious food can be obtained by all.
Reports linked with food security in France state that 8 million people struggle to get a plentiful diet and three meals a day because of food insecurity. This situation is rooted from waste of food, agricultural crop loss, and a small percentage on restrictions put on GMOs by the government (Elie). In 1996, just as the United States sent the first cargo of GMOs to Europe, a French Newspaper caught the attention of others because it stated that the GMOs could kill society (Kuntz). Many people believed this since they were still getting over the “mad cow” crisis that occurred, which was a period of disease in cows that caused beef contamination. Not only did they experience this, but when hemophiliacs were given GMOs to treat HIV, they also were found contaminated (Kuntz). In a manner of distrust, France rejected genetically modified maize, which marked their first pushback on GMOs. However, when a new governor was selected in 1997, France gave genetically modified beets a try but with regulations (Kuntz). Public opinion is also a reason that makes France restrictive with this practice, stating they still do not trust the process. Reports of almost 3,000 Anti-GMO protests are seen destroying GMO crops and pushing back on a regulation of GMOs law (Boring). With the negative perspective on this idea, it will be hard to implement healthy food security in France, since the main solution is the practice of GMOs.
To combat the issue of food security in France, we need to promote the usage of GMOs because it’s the fastest and most convenient way to help with fighting worldwide malnutrition. For France, the main negativity stems from the public opinion, who has clearly showed their distrust with protests and outright statements. This can be understood in some level with what contamination situations they have gone through, but this is why we need to make the people trust GMOs and their safety aspects. Biosafety laws that give the basic standard for governing GMOs need to be introduced while giving public education on what GMOs are and their benefits. This would give people an understanding on why they are so important in the progress for our future. Another plan would be to follow risk assessment checks while using the GMOs to ensure that everything is safe and nothing is contaminated. Publishing the checks can give people an understanding that GMOs are safe to use. Finally labeling products that have GMOs is only right because people have a right to know what’s in their food, even if they don’t support it. This whole plan would be partnered with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as well as the FAO because not only is this issue occurring in France, but throughout the world as well.

Citations:
Boring, Nicolas. “Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: France.” Library of Congress, 1 Mar. 2014, maint.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/france.php#:~:text=The%20production%20and%20sale%20of,rules%20that%20provide%20additional%20restrictions. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Elie, Gatien. “Hunger in France’s Land of Plenty.” Le Monde Diplomatique, 1 Oct. 2021, mondediplo.com/2021/10/13food-box#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20recent%20Senate,the%20Ipsos%2DSecours%20Populaire%20survey. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kuntz, Marcel . “The GMO Case in France: Politics, Lawlessness and Postmodernism.” PubMed Central, 5 Oct. 2014, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5033180/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Manetti, Stefania. “Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs.” National Library of Medicine, 4 Mar. 2024, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002432.htm. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Sophia Plencner

Position Paper: GMO’s and Food Safety
Country: Spain
Committee: The Food and Agriculture Organization
Topic: GMOs and Food Safety
Introduction:
GMOs and food safety are highly relevant subjects in Spain. Spain’s farmers undoubtedly use GMOs to protect their crops and livestock, in turn keeping food shelf stable for longer amounts of time and provoking concerns. Spain is hesitant with the use of GMOs for food safety measures and has been for years. This position paper details Spain’s concerns, positions, and possible solutions to keep food safe for our buyers and citizens.
Spain’s Perspective:
Spain understands the positives and negatives of the use of GMOs. Not everything is known about GMO’s which makes it difficult to decide whether or not they should be used. Spain is specifically concerned about the following issues:
Sickness/Disease: The finding of increased risk of cancers, obesity, and certain diseases such as kidney and celiac, cause controversy on whether or not we should continue with our food safety programs.
Environmental: The loss of biodiversity in soil and water ecosystems is an enlarging concern.
Antibiotic resistance: Certain genetically modified crops and plants host genes that make them resistant to different types of antibiotics.
Spain’s Policy Positions:
Spain regards a parliamentary but international approach to decide if GMOs should be considered as food safety. The Key policy positions include:
Bring awareness to effects of GMOs: Spain is set on sharing the effects of genetically modified crops and foods to let farmers and consumers know the pros and cons of their use.
Make GMOs safer and more effective: Spain supports the development of safer and more effective GMOs by conducting tests on their crops.
Increase/decrease: Spain, based on findings, will either increase or decrease their use of GMOs within the country.
Additional research: Spain is supporting the awareness of GMOs by sharing their findings in research and studies.
Proposed Solutions:
To discuss the effectiveness of GMOs and food safety, Spain proposes the following solutions:
Immediate testing on genetically modified crops: Test already modified plants for certain harm factors to see if they are helpful or harmful.
Conduct studies: Decide if GMOs or non-GMOs are more likely to cause harm by conducting scientific studies and experiments.
Reach out to neighboring countries to get data: Get other countries’ opinions on use of GMOs and their data from previous research and testing.
Conclusion:
Spain is committed to finding problems with GMOs and working to improve their effectiveness and safety. By working together and with other nations, we can decide whether or not GMOs are actually safe for human and animal consumption, alter their makeup to safely protect our citizens and environment, and bring awareness to our findings.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Adam Bonde

As the world has been progressing recently, FAO delegates are in a precarious situation. To change this, FAO strives to “achieve food security for all and [to] make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.” The government of Iran has worked closely with the FAO since 1953, trying to tackle challenges related to water and food scarcity, agriculture, food security, and climate change. This challenge is becoming more daunting every second, the main proprietor being GMOs. In recent years, 94% of soybeans, 96% of cotton, 92% of corn, 95% of canola crops, and 99.9% of all sugars are genetically altered to be produced rapidly, but the genetic modification of these plants has caused numerous, direct or indirect health issues to over 60 million people worldwide. This concern for GMOs has been relevant for Iran as well as over ¾ of other countries, particularly the respective demographics of each country, which have reportedly been faced with over a 50% majority being concerned towards the health effects of GMOs. Iran, as a country, struggles to decide what is best for the population to keep food security. To truly describe the issues and fixes that could or will occur, understanding the meaning of food security and GMO is imperative. Food security means healthy and reliable foods for people, and GMOs are pesticides that genetically modify the DNA in plants to make them grow faster and more efficiently. These 2 terms are essentially polar opposites, in which a change to one will affect the other. Demonstrating this, Iran believes GMOs cannot simply be removed from agricultural institutions, as they are ingrained into the agricultural and economic systems. The removal of GMOs within Iran would cause a complete agricultural collapse. Considering that Iran’s irrigation systems are recovering from their water reserve dropping from 130 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2013 to 105 bcm in 2017 of renewable water sourcing. Iran will not be able to recover its economic and agriculture pitfall with the removal of GMOs, though if supported by the FAO as well as other delegations, the delegation of Iran is amenable to slightly reducing the usage of GMOs to further support the health of their population.

Since the production of plants would take vastly longer, though, this idea would cause a decrease in food security. This is why Iran, along with many other countries, is struggling to figure out what will be best regarding the use of GMOs relating to food safety. The delegation of Iran reports that Iran has a passive stance on the use of GMOs, believing that they should be used in moderation to keep proper hygiene within food products, but simply eliminating GMOs is not an option; their effect on the food industry is imperative for Iran’s economic interests. Iran has already put in place numerous policies to ensure the proper usage of GMOs while still keeping in mind the desperation for biosafety regulations that the population is so skeptical yet enthusiastic towards. One of these policies is the investment into developing biotechnology so proper usage of this biotechnology can be reached, resulting in improved crop yields and resistance to disease, drought, and pests instead of dangerous chemicals. FAO has provided guidelines on how to safely utilize such biotechnology. As Iran, we propose that FAO create further guidelines and amendments towards the usage of biochemicals so they can be useful for countries but not a risk to their population’s health.

After careful consideration, Iran is fully and completely committed to assisting the FAO in their efforts to provide secure and safe food for all countries, as well as efforts to minimize famine within conflict zones. The FAO sentiment emphasizing solutions to provide healthy usage of biotechnology within plants to provide larger quantities of food, addressing the shortages that many countries face, is echoed by Iran. This proper use of GMOs will be imperative to solve the issues of famine in any place, particularly within conflict zones, as GMOs can help increase longevity for food given to survivors as well as quantity given to survivors, while still keeping secure and healthy food for all. If all of these ideals are implemented as recommended by Iran as well as the FAO, this committee will create more resilient agricultural systems for all countries.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: India
Delegate Name: Xinyu Wang

Committee: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Food Security
Country: Republic of India
Delegate: Xinyu Wang, City High Middle School

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) represent a transformative advancement in agricultural science, designed to enhance crop yields, resistance to pests, and resilience to extreme climate conditions. For a country like India, where agriculture forms a significant part of the economy and sustains a large portion of the population, GMOs could potentially contribute to improving food security and self-sufficiency.

In India, agriculture provides livelihoods for nearly 60% of the population and contributes approximately 17-18% of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product ). Despite this, challenges such as climate change, pest invasions, and fluctuating market demands put pressure on India’s food production capabilities. The introduction of GM crops, like Bt cotton, has shown promise in addressing some of these issues, with increased yields and reduced pesticide usage. Yet, concerns over ecological impacts, potential health risks, and economic implications for small-scale farmers continue to spark resistance against the widespread adoption of GMOs.

The primary concerns surrounding GMOs in India include biosafety risks, environmental effects such as potential loss of biodiversity, and the risk of corporate control over seed supplies, which may disadvantage local farmers. Additionally, public distrust in GMOs is high due to perceived health risks and lack of transparent regulatory processes. Moreover, there are limited public sector resources for conducting comprehensive GMO research, leaving the field heavily reliant on private companies whose interests may not always align with national or public goals.

As a developing nation with a large population dependent on agriculture, India believes that GMOs can be part of the solution for food security, provided that safety and ethical concerns are adequately addressed. India advocates for stringent biosafety protocols, research, and extensive risk assessments before introducing any new GM crop to its fields. The Indian government aims to ensure that GMOs are accessible and beneficial to small and marginal farmers, while also protecting environmental and human health.

India recommends that the FAO establish an internationally recognized definition of GMOs, which will facilitate standardized regulatory frameworks. India also urges member states to adopt a rigorous, science-based regulatory system for the approval and monitoring of GMOs.
India calls on all nations to prioritize local ecosystem preservation. GMOs should be carefully evaluated for potential environmental impacts, especially in biodiversity-rich regions.
India advocates for increased support to developing nations in building research capacity. By investing in local, government-led research, countries can conduct unbiased assessments of GMOs, ensuring that safety and effectiveness align with national interests.
India encourages a balanced approach to intellectual property rights, ensuring that smallholder farmers are not marginalized. India suggests the establishment of subsidies or financial assistance for resource-poor farmers wishing to adopt GM technologies.
India emphasizes the need for educating the public on the benefits and risks of GMOs. Awareness campaigns should focus on dispelling myths, highlighting scientific findings, and promoting an informed choice for consumers.
India advocates for stronger international cooperation and information sharing regarding GMOs. This includes transparent data on long-term health and environmental impacts and best practices in GMO cultivation and regulation.

India reaffirms its commitment to achieving food security and agricultural resilience, while upholding the principles of environmental sustainability and public health. India looks forward to working collaboratively with the FAO and other member states to develop a balanced approach to GMO adoption that respects local ecosystems, promotes equitable access, and ensures the well-being of all citizens.

sources
1. Government of India. “Agriculture Census 2021.” Ministry of Agriculture.
2. Food and Agriculture Organization. “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022.”
3. World Health Organization. “Frequently Asked Questions on Genetically Modified Foods.”

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Olivia Sokol

Committee: ECOSOC
Topic: Food security
Delegate: Olivia Sokol
School: Williamston High School

The ability to maintain efficient security on food and agricultural resources is crucial for the citizens of a country. Food security has been seen as a global issue, and directly affects the rate of food, jobs and economic growth in a country/society. The access to quality food and nutrients is fundamental to all human existence. Shifts or changes in the global economy such as inflation, can affect food security around the world, especially in developing countries. There are many countries around the world that suffer from food insecurity such as Afghanistan and Mali. It is important to measure food security within a nation to target the food and financial aid it may need. To help aid the developing countries, there are many worldwide non-profit organizations such as the Food and Hunger Organization (FAO), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Previously Belgium has taken significant steps in helping not only itself, but other countries as well. In 2021, the Belgian Development Cooperation spent $142 million euros on agricultural and food security. Within the $142 million, $41 million of that went directly to humanitarian aid, and $5 million went into food aid. The government of Belgium also donated 7.5 million euros ($8.1 million USD) to the WFP in response to the rising food needs in Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. Belgium’s support has been crucial for these countries, not only providing funds for national food spending but also giving to the vulnerable citizens and refugees that desperately need immediate help. Without Belgian support, many families of various countries would not be able to get the resources and food they need for survival. The WFP and Belgium have established a solid partnership, and have taken a collaborative approach in their goals and funding. In total, Belgium has donated a total of $32 million USD to the organization, becoming one of their largest donors.

In the future, Belgium will continue to support the WFP and continue to set aside money for food and humanitarian projects and aid. To help achieve the goal of establishing food security everywhere, there have been many implications for different types of experimental food systems for the capital region in Brussels, Belgium. The plan includes 7 themes and 15 different actions to help food systems and sustainability in the future. The hopes are to have these plans effectively running by 2035. This will initially help domestic food security, a sustainable food supply, increase local food production, and to help the food economy. It would be beneficial to have a joint support of the top WFP donors such as Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States of America to help stop this global issue altogether.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Jackson Bunda

SUBMITTED TO: The Food and Agriculture Organization
SUBJECT: GMOs and Food Security
PROPOSED BY: The Republic of Venezuela
NAME: Jackson Bunda
SCHOOL: Forest Hills Northern

Alarmed by the rapid increase in GMO farming and the potential introduction of new allergens because of it; however, more deeply concerned by the estimated 690 million people worldwide facing food insecurity. We urgently recommend that the UN take greater action to increase food security and ensure the safe trade of food products.

As Venezuela continues encountering economic obstacles, increasing food security and safe trade remains a priority. Venezuela, on its own, has taken measures to do so through Food Security programs such as CLAP (Local Committees for Supply and Production), which work to supply people with essential foods and ingredients. On a global scale, we have also supported food security measures worldwide with organizations such as WFP (World Food Programme). Venezuela also believes that on the topic of GMOs, actions must be taken to adopt a policy in which the 40 countries in the UN with GMO restrictions would agree, thereby increasing the circulation of food. Venezuela, on its own, has participated in trade with China, Cuba, and Iran for essential unaltered food products to provide food to its citizens. Venezuela has also worked with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a South American Organization that works to evenly distribute food amongst ourselves. However, even throughout all these efforts, Venezuela continues to encounter obstacles regarding GMOs and Food Security.

Therefore, to address these problems, Venezuela proposes the establishment of Regional Food Security Partnerships and widespread Sustainable Agricultural Practices. By creating Bilateral agreements, agreements with neighboring countries, as well as developing regional organizations, organizations which are made to respond to region-specific needs, which in this case, is supplying food and granting safer food trade, we would be able to establish a market that could further enhance the growth of unaltered genetically diverse foods that countries are looking for. Furthermore, we could also increase industry development by distributing income among neighbors and renovating or establishing farms to generate more food. We would lower conflict among the borders and provide greater access to food in those locations. Finally, by informing each other of Sustainable Agricultural Practices, countries would be able to produce higher quantities of food which would then lower inflated prices of practical goods, increase the safety of those goods, and leave a market that can further expand to tackle even more malnutrition.

SOURCES:
The World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
World Food Programme (WFP)
https://www.wfp.org/
United Nations Publications
https://shop.un.org/
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
https://www.csis.org/

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Jackson Bunda

Alarmed by the rapid increase in GMO farming and the potential introduction of new allergens because of it; however, more deeply concerned by the estimated 690 million people worldwide facing food insecurity. We urgently recommend that the UN take greater action to increase food security and ensure the safe trade of food products.

As Venezuela continues encountering economic obstacles, increasing food security and safe trade remains a priority. Venezuela, on its own, has taken measures to do so through Food Security programs such as CLAP (Local Committees for Supply and Production), which work to supply people with essential foods and ingredients. On a global scale, we have also supported food security measures worldwide with organizations such as WFP (World Food Programme). Venezuela also believes that on the topic of GMOs, actions must be taken to adopt a policy in which the 40 countries in the UN with GMO restrictions would agree, thereby increasing the circulation of food. Venezuela, on its own, has participated in trade with China, Cuba, and Iran for essential unaltered food products to provide food to its citizens. Venezuela has also worked with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a South American Organization that works to evenly distribute food amongst ourselves. However, even throughout all these efforts, Venezuela continues to encounter obstacles regarding GMOs and Food Security.

Therefore, to address these problems, Venezuela proposes the establishment of Regional Food Security Partnerships and widespread Sustainable Agricultural Practices. By creating Bilateral agreements, agreements with neighboring countries, as well as developing regional organizations, organizations which are made to respond to region-specific needs, which in this case, is supplying food and granting safer food trade, we would be able to establish a market that could further enhance the growth of unaltered genetically diverse foods that countries are looking for. Furthermore, we could also increase industry development by distributing income among neighbors and renovating or establishing farms to generate more food. We would lower conflict among the borders and provide greater access to food in those locations. Finally, by informing each other of Sustainable Agricultural Practices, countries would be able to produce higher quantities of food which would then lower inflated prices of practical goods, increase the safety of those goods, and leave a market that can further expand to tackle even more malnutrition.

SOURCES:
The World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
World Food Programme (WFP)
https://www.wfp.org/
United Nations Publications
https://shop.un.org/
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
https://www.csis.org/

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Jackson Bunda

SUBMITTED TO: The Food and Agriculture Organization
SUBJECT: Famine in Conflict Zones
PROPOSED BY: The Republic of Venezuela
NAME: Jackson Bunda
SCHOOL: Forest Hills Northern

Alarmed by the rapid increase in GMO farming and the potential introduction of new allergens because of it; however, more deeply concerned by the estimated 690 million people worldwide facing food insecurity. We urgently recommend that the UN take greater action to increase food security and ensure the safe trade of food products.

As Venezuela continues encountering economic obstacles, increasing food security and safe trade remains a priority. Venezuela, on its own, has taken measures to do so through Food Security programs such as CLAP (Local Committees for Supply and Production), which work to supply people with essential foods and ingredients. On a global scale, we have also supported food security measures worldwide with organizations such as WFP (World Food Programme). Venezuela also believes that on the topic of GMOs, actions must be taken to adopt a policy in which the 40 countries in the UN with GMO restrictions would agree, thereby increasing the circulation of food. Venezuela, on its own, has participated in trade with China, Cuba, and Iran for essential unaltered food products to provide food to its citizens. Venezuela has also worked with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a South American Organization that works to evenly distribute food amongst ourselves. However, even throughout all these efforts, Venezuela continues to encounter obstacles regarding GMOs and Food Security.

Therefore, to address these problems, Venezuela proposes the establishment of Regional Food Security Partnerships and widespread Sustainable Agricultural Practices. By creating Bilateral agreements, agreements with neighboring countries, as well as developing regional organizations, organizations which are made to respond to region-specific needs, which in this case, is supplying food and granting safer food trade, we would be able to establish a market that could further enhance the growth of unaltered genetically diverse foods that countries are looking for. Furthermore, we could also increase industry development by distributing income among neighbors and renovating or establishing farms to generate more food. We would lower conflict among the borders and provide greater access to food in those locations. Finally, by informing each other of Sustainable Agricultural Practices, countries would be able to produce higher quantities of food which would then lower inflated prices of practical goods, increase the safety of those goods, and leave a market that can further expand to tackle even more malnutrition.

SOURCES:
The World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
World Food Programme (WFP)
https://www.wfp.org/
United Nations Publications
https://shop.un.org/
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
https://www.csis.org/

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Maximus Hengeveld

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GMOs and Food Security
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Maximus Hengeveld
Forest Hills Eastern High School

In the last four years global hunger has increased. It is projected that 582 million people will be undernourished by 2030. The United Nations created the FAO to try and combat this problem. The FAO has its food price index (FFPI) and global funding such as the FIFF as attempts to lower global hunger and give people more healthy and sustainable food. Although now GMOs are more prevalent and are more of a problem than they ever were. GMOs is food that has been genetically changed to make it more cost effective and reduce crop loss. This at first seems great but GMOs in fact are not good for the environment or the health of people. GMOs can get into food from animals eating it, labs, or even just the plants themselves. There are no easy solutions to GMOs which is why it must be brought up. Algeria wants to help solve this problem and build a solution to fix it.
Although Algeria has been mostly independent in fixing its GMO problem it has seeked help from a small non-profit organization called GRAIN. GRAIN supports small farmers and advocates for community controlled food systems. In 2000 Algeria banned imports, marketing, and the utilization of GMOs. They have also put in place strict regulations including a National Biosafety Framework to help stop GMOs. Additionally also aided in spreading awareness to educate its citizens about the risks GMO presents. Finally Algeria has been supporting traditional agriculture methods and sustainable farming practices. Algeria would like to get more help with stopping GMOs in its country and is willing to work towards a resolution to fix them.
Algeria could invest more in scientific research against the risks of GMOs to make better decisions, and they could also partake more internationally to help combat against the increasing GMOs. Algeria would like to combat GMOs by maintaining its strict import bans, marketing, and the use of GMOs. Additionally Algeria would like to strengthen its biosafety regulations to stop the introductions of more GMOs. Algeria would promote spreading awareness of the risks that GMOs bring to people’s health and the environment. Finally Algeria encourages the committee to work with other countries and organizations that have similar views for stopping GMOs.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Reese Graham

The Republic of Indonesia recognizes the benefits that the use of GMOs in food production can provide, and encourages their role in mitigating global food instability. Genetically modified organisms, GMOs, have begun to play a more important role in modern day agriculture, particularly in places impacted by severe drought, loss of arable land, and climate change. These natural disturbances can have severe consequences on food security, therefore opening the door to agricultural technologies to grow in popularity. Indonesia supports these developments, but also understands the research that needs to be done before fully moving forward with GMOs.

GMOs are most often crops, such as wheat, fruits, or vegetables. By artificially adjusting their DNA, the crops can become more resistant to pesticides and herbicides, deteriorate less rapidly, and be more sustainable. Indonesia has taken advantage of this by implementing genetically modified soybeans to shift towards more efficient domestic production. This was initiated and encouraged in 2022, and since then we have continued working to develop genetically engineered products of our own, with careful research and consideration.

As the population grows and the effects of climate change worsen, food insecurity rates have continued to rise. GMOs can be more productive than regular crops, due to the benefits they pose for crop resiliency. Depending on the modifications, they may require less pesticides, and be able to grow in increasingly harsh conditions. Indonesia has faced climate extremes in 2024 alone — with both severe prolonged droughts and heavy flooding. Therefore, we support the initiatives to increase knowledge of genetic modification, and believe it is in our best interests to put more resources towards research and development.

Indonesia recognizes the importance of careful research when it comes to GMOs, and understands the time and effort required to carry out careful testing and rigorous safety assessments. This research is important to ensure safety of the consumers and growing environment, and we propose that more funding and resources be put towards this research, which should be conducted and shared with the public in order to ensure consumer peace of mind. Organizations such as the FAO can be integral pieces of this, and can help support global initiatives to further GMO development, particularly in nations susceptible to food insecurity and climate change.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Vivienne Grzelak

Delegate: Viv Grzelak
School: Williamston High School
Country: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Committee: FAO
Topic: GMOs and Food Security

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs for short, are generally seen as a negative concept for most countries. As it is seen as a means of scientific advancement, it is not generally accepted by most countries as good for the public. Most public and governmental perception is negative and seen as a negative means of trade and not healthy for the general public’s consumption. Nevertheless, being able to modify plants to be more durable for colder and dry climates could benefit those populations, but could lessen the trade between countries with poor agricultural conditions and the countries who give them the needed food; ultimately making their economy worse and their country less stable overall.

Currently, the ROK chooses to produce most of its own food to boost the domestic economy. Even though this is not a viable option for many countries, South Korea chooses this route to boost the economy and protect the already vulnerable agricultural sector of the country. Along with that, a lot of consumer reports from the ROK show that many Korean residents are not in favor of the mass distribution of GMOs across the country, and that over half of residents interviewed for a study showed that they perceived GMOs as risky to their health.
Due to attempts of genetically modified products being traded to the Republic of Korea, many trade deals with the ROK have been strained, especially with the United States and the European Union. Both of these states would like to begin trade of GMOs with South Korea, but due to previously stated aversions to GMOs trade it has proven difficult.

For the future, the ROK would like to focus on helping other countries become more self-sufficient and grow crops specific to their regions. Our efforts to make sustainable agriculture to support our economy and residents has proved to work extremely well. It has also helped our country steer away from relying on GMOs to support our country’s food needs while giving some of our most vulnerable citizens a reliable and sustainable income to support their farms.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Ella Duffner

The United Kingdom recognizes global food insecurity as an issue of increasing prominence. As the effects of climate change become more prevalent, many food supplies become at risk. To combat this, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have become increasingly widespread.

GMOs can be incredibly useful to increase the efficiency of food grown as both produce and for feed, especially as the world’s population continues to rise. These crops are more resilient, have higher yields, and lead to less food waste. All of these factors make GMOs increasingly useful to both producers and consumers. However, with GMOs growing in popularity, concerns for them have also grown. Concerns include the discrete transfer of allergens, as an allergen modifying a non-allergen can create a neo-allergen, causing a reaction in someone who may be unaware of this modification. A rise in pest-resistant qualities could lead to unfavorable shifts in pest populations, as well as more resilient pests. Weed populations could also be affected in a similar way. Concerns have also been raised for human health in relation to GMOs, especially about toxicity. Overall, GMOs have many potential pros and cons, making them an area of increasing interest. GMOs present an incredible opportunity for advancement but must be properly regulated.

Since the United Kindom withdrew from the European Union in 2020, it is no longer held to the previous restrictions of the EU, such as Directive 2001/18/EC, which outlines the need for systematic and independent research to be thoroughly conducted on all potential risks prior to the release of genetically modified organisms. This directive outlines requirements such as the “step by step” principle, calling for the very gradual release of GMOs into the environment, and alongside this, outlines that they must go through sufficient field testing in the ecosystems they affect. This directive also requires a notification procedure prior to the release of a GMO product, containing risk assessments, labeling, and monitoring proposals. While the UK is no longer held to this directive, its policies have not shifted far. The usefulness and necessity of genetic modification are clear, but alongside this is the fact that they must continue to be monitored, regulated, and assessed.

In the United Kingdom, it is required that all foods that have been genetically modified or contain genetically modified ingredients be labeled as such. However, foods produced with genetically modified technology and animals fed by genetically modified feed do not have to be labeled. Safety assessments of genetically modified foods must be carried out by the Food Standards Agency, with the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. Qualities assessed are toxicity, nutritional value, and allergen presence. These GM foods are then allowed to be introduced to the market if they have been assessed to present no health risks, are not misleading to consumers, and have the same or more nutritional value than the non-GM alternative. Food security has risen in recent years in the UK, and GMOs could help to decrease these numbers. Overall, when monitored carefully and assessed thoroughly, GMOs can be incredibly useful in feeding a growing world population in the face of rising climate change.

Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/genetically-modified-organisms-applications-and-consents
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2001/18/oj
https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/genetically-modified-foods#:~:text=We%20recognise%20that%20some%20people,contain%20ingredients%20produced%20from%20GMOs
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/publication/FTQ_May_2019.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3791249/#:~:text=It%20is%20known%20that%20the,antibiotic%20resistance%2C%20toxicity%20and%20allergenicity.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18989835/
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0011/FactsheetGenetic.pdf
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/genetic-technology-precision-breeding#:~:text=Rebranding%20GMOs%20as%20precision%20bred%20or%20precision%20breeding&text=The%20name%20’precision%20breeding’%20is,not%20limited%20to%20such%20techniques.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/developing-genetically-modified-organisms
https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2024/09/27/one-in-four-people-are-food-insecure-fsa-finds/#:~:text=Conducted%20between%20October%202023%20and,uncertain%20access%20to%20adequate%20food.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Carter Hilliard

As a nation that has recently experienced severe food insecurity, Pakistan is extremely sympathetic to areas that are currently struggling. This being said, Pakistan has consistently been opposed to deregulation of GMOs. Recently however, Pakistan has permitted the import of genetically modified seeds, and this may reflect a potential softening of their views on GMOs. In 2012 the only legal GMO plant in Pakistan was Bt cotton, but now the import of any genetically modified plant is allowed, yet strictly controlled. Pakistan is in favor of potentially using GMOs to increase food production in areas struggling with food insecurity, but they believe that there should still be strict controls and regulations on them to avoid moral and health issues.

On November 5, 2024, Pakistan released their long standing ban on many genetically modified organisms, allowing multiple companies to import genetically modified soybean crops. This move will help to produce higher quantities of feed for poultry and other livestock. It has been endorsed by the Pakistan Poultry Association and several other agricultural stakeholders. This follows a trend in Pakistani public policy to reduce food insecurities that have plagued Pakistan for the past while. Pakistan hopes that other nations will follow their actions in eliminating total bans on genetically modified agricultural products as a method of increasing food production even in nations without the resources to develop their own GMO technology.

The Pakistani government, despite a recent loosening of regulations on genetically modified imports and food crops, is still concerned about the prevalence of and reliance on GMOs that has only worsened in the past few years. There are still many unknowns about the use of GMOs that deserve more time to be looked into before their use is truly widespread. Even though using GMOs to reduce food insecurities is a method that Pakistan is employing, they are also in favor of alternative methods for reducing food insecurities, such as the use of less invasive synthetic biology to increase food production.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Jordan
Delegate Name: Kaianne Sayen

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is facing struggles with its food security because we have limited agricultural land along with an arid climate and a strong reliance on food imports. These challenges have recently worsened due to rising food prices globally and climate change. We are cautious in our use of GMOs due to public concerns and potential environmental effects. People are concerned about the misinformation spread about GMOs relating to health concerns and the reliance on corporations for efficient crop growth. However, GMOs can also improve our food security. For example, crops can be modified to require less resources. While the country has yet to implement the use of GMOs, much of our imported food contains genetically modified ingredients. We are aware of the many potential benefits of GMOs as related to food security and want to take advantage of this. On the other hand, we want to address the health concerns related to the use of GMOs and we would like to conduct research and educate our people on the effects of GMOs. Additionally, concerns of straying from natural cultural agricultural practices have been expressed and Jordan will aim to simply enhance what we have rather than replace it. Jordan wants to implement the use of GMOs to promote food security while also maintaining sustainability and health. We also want to educate our people on the implementation of GMOs to remove the uncertainty surrounding the issue. We recommend that the committee conduct extensive research on the health and environmental impacts of genetically modified organisms and to make this research transparent to the public eye to reduce uncertainty about GMOs. Lastly, we recommend that the use of GMOs is used for the enhancement of traditionally agricultural practices rather than the replacement of them.

Topic: 2024-GMOs and Food Security
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Sundos Hejazi

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia encourages the use of GMOs in food production, especially as a method to reduce levels of hunger and food insecurity. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are DNA-altered crops, and their role in the food and agriculture industry is prevalent and unavoidable. While Ethiopia recognizes the potential risks of integrating GMOs into the food supply, we also see the benefits of GMOs and the role they play in lowering food prices and decreasing food insecurity. For these reasons, Ethiopia urges further research into the GMO field so we can safely integrate them into the food and agriculture sector globally as they are crucial for increasing food security levels within our country and the world.

The implementation of GMO crops in the food production world allows farmers to use less pesticides when planting, allowing for healthier crops and a healthier population, thus decreasing levels of food insecurity and poor nutrition. However, we understand that GMOs can have their disadvantages, so we encourage organizations to continue further research before implementing GMOs completely, as we believe that proper study and relevant information must be gathered before any immediate action is taken. The FAO would play a large role in this research but would require funding from other organizations, and we encourage fellow members to prioritize this matter so we can find viable funding.

As for the quantity of food produced, GMOS are also proven to increase crop yield and size, meaning more food and as a result, less food insecurity. Ethiopia’s use of GMOs has proven successful, but we are still continuing to ensure that proper research and knowledge is collected regarding the topic, and we urge all other nations to do the same before opening the food industry to GMOs. This way we can maximize our use of GMOs to help reduce the levels of food insecurity across the world while keeping food safe for consumers and ensuring that the proper due diligence is applied. Within Ethiopia, there have long been struggles with food insecurity, and the government has approved some GMOs to combat this issue, which is why we are in support of GMOs as long as proper research is concluded and possible risks are factored into government decisions. We also understand that some public concerns with GMOs are prevalent, and members should keep this in mind when making any decisions regarding the use of GMOs in food and agriculture production.

Ethiopia understands the concerns that come with discussions about GMOs, but we highly encourage countries to investigate them thoroughly and conduct extensive research before deciding to integrate them into food production. To do this, we urge fellow delegates to make researching GMOs and the funding it requires a priority, so we can all work together to reduce levels of global food insecurity and foster a more sustainable and healthy society.

Sources:https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/why-do-farmers-us-grow-gmo-crops#:~:text=Farmers%20can%20use%20less%20spray,that%20end%20up%20on%20crops.
https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2018/06/ethiopia-progresses-gmo-crops/#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20improve,field%20research%20on%20GM%20maize.
https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/biotechnology-solution-hunger
https://escientificpublishers.com/JBI-05-0043#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20the%20Ethiopian%20parliament,public%20debate%20or%20media%20coverage.

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