I am a current graduate student in Nutritional Sciences. We've touched on GMOs in a few of my classes. Below I've listed citations for the research papers we've looked at. I've also placed my own list of pros/cons of GMOs at the bottom that I've developed after learning about them in classes and reading papers.
Brooks G: ISAAA. GM Crops: The First Ten Years - Global Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts. Brief No. 36-2006, Full report.
Johns, T., and Eyzaguirre, P.B. Biofortification, biodiversity and diet: A search for complementary applications against poverty and malnutrition. Food Policy 2007;32:1-24.
Pelletier DL. FDA's regulation of genetically engineered foods: Scientific, legal and political dimensions. Food Policy 2006; 31:570-91.
Tabashnik et al., Insect resistance to Bt crops: evidence versus theory. Nature Biotech 2008;26:199-202.
FAO Focus: Weighing the GMO Argument: Against
The Hidden Health Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods Food Safety Review. THE CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY
Smithson, S, “Eat, Drink, and Be Wary”: Genetically modified animals could make it to your plate with minimal testing and no public input. Grist Magazine, July 30, 2003
Doug Gurian-Sherman. Failure to Yield: Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops. Union of Concerned Scientists. 2009
Pros: -With increasing economic growth in numerous countries around the world, there is a demand for more environmentally draining foods. Using GMOs to create crops that are more tolerable to extremes (i.e. cold, heat, crowding, drought or acidic soil) could lead to increased yields in less time, larger yields with reduced water usage, reduced pesticide usage, and reduced land usage. This will be beneficial in reducing the toll on the environment, but also in producing a greater quantity of crops to feed a growing population globally. -GMOs have shown to be powerful in helping to alleviate world hunger and malnutrition thus far. Key examples include golden rice and orange flesh sweet potatoes. Additionally, bio fortification of plants is much quicker and more efficient than using selective breeding.
Cons: -GMO crops can carry antibiotic resistant genes, and in theory, the DNA of the gene could confer resistance to bacteria in the gut of a human or animal, in the soil, or on a plant. -Overuse of pesticides. Glyphosate-tolerant GMO soy is the number one GMO crop plant and glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide. Could result in resistant weeds, resistant insects, or compromise marine flora. Also could have adverse effects on human health, such as impaired GI strip motility, endocrine function, implications in asthma and cancer. A study showed 44% of urban populations had measurable glyphosate in their urine. This was linked to increase in celiac disease and changes in gut microbiota. -Increased adoption of GMOs leads to a decline in biodiversity. This may result in a greater reliance and utilization of corn and soy in our food supply. -Many studies showing no negative consequences of GMOs have been funded by companies like Monsanto and data may be falsified. -Very few systematic and long term studies on their effect on human health. -Regulation issues. Loopholes allow GMOs to enter the market with minimal regulation. The USDA does not provide safety decision information. -Allergens like transgenic soybean and starlink corn.