Dr. Oz: labeling is bigger issue in GMO debate

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The National Academies of Sciences says genetically engineered crops also referred to as genetically modified organisms or GMOs are safe for humans and animals to eat.

The non-profit group convened a committee of more than fifty experts who took two years to review more than 900 studies covering the two decades since the crops were introduced.

They found GMO crops saved farmers in the United States money, but they did not appear to increase crop yields.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the Dr. Oz show, was asked to weigh in on the findings during FOX 5 NY's 'Good Day New York' on Wednesday.

"(This) is what I've been saying as well, but there might be subtle things it does to us like introduce ways that your intestines might not work properly or weird changes to your health that we can't pin on anything else," said Dr. Oz.

But the popular surgeon says there is a bigger question here: your right to choose GMOS or not.

"The societal concerns that I voice, the reasons we should have labeling, that we as Americans have the right to choose. If I don't want to have extra herbicide or if I'm not sure how it's going to affect the environment, whatever the reason might be, we should label it so we can decide," said Dr. Oz.

GMOs have been shown to lower pest populations in some areas and increased the number of herbicide-resistant weeds in others. And the report states there is no evidence these crops affected the monarch butterfly population.

In addition, the group states genetically-engineered crops are not responsible for increases in cancer, obesity, gastrointestinal illness, kidney disease , autism or allergies.

Groups opposed to genetically engineered crops criticize the report, citing the committee's ties to the biotech and other industries creating a conflict of interest.

Industry experts say the report will likely not sway consumers who focus on buying non-GMO foods away from their decision.