Report Warns Against GMO Wheat

A new report from Friends of the Earth is raising concerns about the potential introduction of genetically engineered wheat into the U.S. food system, citing health, environmental, and economic risks. The report focuses on HB4 wheat, a genetically engineered variety developed to tolerate the herbicide glufosinate, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2024 but is not yet commercially grown in the United States.

HB4 wheat is designed to withstand direct applications of glufosinate, a herbicide that has been linked in scientific studies to reproductive harm, developmental effects, and ecosystem impacts. Because the crop is engineered for herbicide tolerance, the report warns that its adoption could increase overall herbicide use and lead to higher residue levels in foods such as bread, pasta, and cereals.

The report also highlights potential economic risks for U.S. farmers. Wheat is a major export crop, with roughly 44 percent of production shipped internationally. However, key trading partners including Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines do not accept genetically engineered wheat, raising concerns that even limited adoption could disrupt export markets or lead to contamination of non-GMO supply chains.

While supporters of HB4 wheat cite its potential for drought tolerance and climate resilience, the report argues that these benefits remain unproven at scale and that the crop may reinforce input-dependent agricultural systems rather than offering long-term sustainability gains.

Sources: Friends of the Earth. “New Report Warns Against Genetically Engineered Wheat.” March 9, 2026. Bienkowski, B. “Report raises alarm over GMO wheat as it inches closer to U.S. fields.” The New Lede, March 10, 2026.

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