By Abraham Vazquez

The question of whether or not to use genetically modified organisms (GMO)
without prior research is causing prolonged debates in Peru.

Professor of the Peruvian National University of Agriculture, Antonieta
Gutierrez Rosati, has emphasized the importance of preventing indiscriminate
use of GMOs. Caution is needed to protect the population and prevent adverse
environmental effects in the future, she said in an interview with El
Comercio, a Peruvian newspaper. She said focusing on short term economic
gains without considering potentially negative, long term effects GMOs, is
an ?incoherent economic model.? ?The use of GMOs and their liberation into
the environment without previous analysis could produce irreversible
damage,? she said.

Despite warnings, the debate between those in favor of and against
genetically modified seeds in Peru continues. A year after the debate
started, the authorities responsible for preventing the use of these
organisms have yet to make any decisions on the subject, expressing little
interest on the topic of bio-security.

Similar debates have arisen in other countries, although in Peru, the use of
GMOs is still fairly new.
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