Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have long been a topic of controversy in Korea and abroad. The public has been questioning their safety. The government and multinational companies that develop and sell GMO products have claimed that they have no safety problems, however the public including domestic and international civic groups have refuted their claim, arguing it has not been confirmed whether they are 100 percent safe.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which boasts the highest authority in the scientific community, announced in 2016 that "80 experts had reviewed some 900 academic results and found no scientific evidence that GMOs affect human health." Some experts in biology fields have also emphasized that commercialized GMOs have brought this world many benefits such as increased food production, solving the problem of starvation in developing countries, and economic development.

However, opponents put emphasis on the uncertainty and potential risk of GMOs. They constantly suggest that it can't be said to be 100% safe, because GMO technology has not yet been widely available. In other words, this means no one knows how it will affect people in the future while the technology gradually develops.

Furthermore, several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) challenged the NAS for unfairness when they announced that GMOs were harmless. This was because the NAS included so many people from GMO-related companies such as Monsanto. Thus, they insist that the production and import of GMOs should be more strictly regulated.

The controversy over GMOs has still not reached an agreement. It seems necessary for consumers to have the right to know and choose between the ongoing conflict of opinions. Therefore, transparent and accurate information should be provided to the public through more detailed scientific research. 'Mandatory labeling' of all GMO products should also be considered so that we can make our own choices.

L.L.F reporter Hyeon-bin Song