Assumptions That Misrepresent GMOs

Alongside conspiracy theories about the deep state [1], the Illuminati, the United Nations, Jews, and alien invaders, there is the demonization of generically modified organisms, or GMOs.  While any living thing that is genetically altered is a GMO, modified food has been the focus of the belief that an elite group is trying to force the world into reliance on artificially enhanced food, or that the GMOs are inherently unhealthy and outright dangerous.  Malicious proliferation of a damaging food supply or forced dependence on a specific cabal for food is the charge.

For some of those who assume that changes to, say, corn's genetic code must be catastrophic or immoral, things that neither logically follow nor have evidence suggesting them, the concept of chemicals in their food frightens them.  Mere chemicals do not have to be placed by people to already be present in the makeup of the food, and not all artificially placed chemicals would have to inevitably lead to disaster.  GMOs could be used to guard against environmental factors that threaten crops or to augment their health effects when consumed.

Close to 90% of corn in America is supposed to be modified to boost crop yields or better withstand the herbicides that kill competing weeds. Without erasing the genetic components already there, the insertion of a gene like Bt adds new qualities like the enhanced ability to endure insects such as caterpillars. Creatures could develop resistance to genetic modifications, yes, and still GMOs can give a significant advantage to crops.  

Golden rice, for another example, has been engineered to have beta carotene, which lends it the golden coloring while also having the power to help with vitamin A in countries like Bangladesh, where rice is plentiful.  GMOs are conceptually neutral and could be pursued for purposes like eliminating this malnutrition or they could be used recklessly.  Like alcohol, cars, firearms, and social media, how they are used is what can be destructive rather than the thing itself.

GMOs are a faster, more direct way to achieve similar goals to selective breeding, where creatures or plants pass on traits to offspring across multiple generations.  The overlapping outcomes are reached using somewhat differing methods.  With many crops already impacted, it would not be as if GMO usage is a looming but still-future issue.  If someone could alter the genetic code of corn or potatoes to improve the nutritional value or survivability of the crop, they could tamper with it in ways that hinder the nutrition or safety, but this is not because GMOs can only be wielded for harmful or conspiratorial ends.

"Chemicals" would not be the default problem if chemicals are all around us as it is.  Alterations would not be dangerous for humans unless they are particular kinds of modifications, and legitimate problems with the food supply could be resolved or lessened by specific genetic manipulation.  Conspiracy theories, as long as they are consistent with logical axioms and all other facts, could be or could have been true, but they can only be assumed by the typical consumer who only has hearsay and sensory limitations or total assumptions (as in, unprompted by even misunderstandings of sensory experiences) to hold on to.

[1].  https://thechristianrationalist.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-deep-state.html