90 Percent of Imported Food Products in Iran Are Genetically Modified

The head of the Iranian Genetics Association states that only 35 to 45 percent of the food basket in the country is supplied through conventional agriculture, and 90 percent of the remaining 55 percent that is imported is genetically modified. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are those that have been genetically altered. In the technology for producing GMOs, one or more genes are added to or removed from the natural genome of the organism. GMO products are essentially foods that have been genetically modified and have received a new and desirable gene from other organisms. According to a report from the local website 'Nasl Shahvar' on March 3, Mahmoud Tolayi, the head of the Genetics Association, made these statements at the conference 'Poison, Organic, Genetically Modified' at Shahroud University of Technology. He stated that 'GMO products have been part of Iranian families' food baskets for 20 years' and that 'the social excitement surrounding GMO products began when discussions about the national production of these products started.' The head of the Iranian Genetics Association attributed part of the 'misguided excitement' about GMO products in the country to 'foreign propaganda' and described this action as 'America's method' to 'prevent technology transfer to developing countries' using 'internal pressure.' He also claimed that due to the 'trend of progress and significant successes' of the Islamic Republic in scientific, economic, military, and political fields, 'the arrogance has opened an economic front and intensified its fight against Iran in recent years.' According to this official, based on the development outlook document, Iran must reach 'an annual production of 300 million tons of food' by the year 1404 (2025), while the current production is 'less than 90 million tons per year.' Mr. Tolayi added that 'only 35 to 45 percent of the food basket in the country is supplied through conventional agriculture, and the remaining 55 percent is supplied through imports, of which 90 percent are genetically modified products.' Tolayi claimed that 'if there is a danger associated with GMO products, it should be directed towards imported GMO products, not those produced by domestic researchers and specialists under the biosafety law.' His claim comes at a time when the deputy head of research at the Iranian Environmental Protection Organization recently reported that soy, corn, and 'concentrate' potatoes in the country are 'genetically modified' and have a significant impact on the rise of autism, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. Davood Hayat-Ghaib also called for 'risk assessment [of consumption] of GMO products' in Iran for humans as well as livestock and poultry. According to this environmental official, '38 countries around the world have banned the cultivation of GMO products because if they cultivate them, they must also conduct research, which will be costly and time-consuming for them.' The head of the Iranian Genetics Association, continuing his remarks, criticized the import of goods into Iran, stating that 'currently we import goods from at least 22 countries around the world, and a large part of our national resources is spent on developing the economy and employment in China, Turkey, and so on.' He added that from the list of the ten goods with the highest import volume, 'at least six are related to food and agriculture,' and 'we import vegetable seeds from only 20 countries.' Tolayi also mentioned the annual import of $900 million worth of pesticides into the country, stating that 'due to the reduction of soil fertility and capability, the presence of pests and plant diseases, we consume five times the per capita pesticide consumption in Europe along with food.'