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.
