A new report by the Friends of the Earth has raised serious concerns over the United States government’s approval of HB4 genetically engineered (GMO) wheat, cautioning that the crop could pose significant risks to public health, ecosystems and farmers’ economic stability while offering no proven benefits.
According to the environmental advocacy group, the approval marks a historic shift after decades of public opposition and international trade concerns that had previously kept genetically modified wheat off U.S. farms.
Although HB4 wheat has not yet been grown commercially in the United States, consumers could soon face the prospect of herbicide-tolerant wheat entering the food supply.
Friends of the Earth is urging companies, farmers and consumers to reject the crop before it reaches the market.
Developed by Argentine biotechnology firm Bioceres Crop Solutions, HB4 wheat has been engineered to tolerate the herbicide glufosinate ammonium. The chemical is banned in the European Union due to concerns about its potential impact on human health and the environment, including risks to soil organisms and biodiversity.
“GMO wheat poses high risks with no clear benefits. It threatens farmers, consumers and ecosystems,” said Dana Perls, senior program manager at Friends of the Earth.
She called on stakeholders to support sustainable alternatives such as organic farming and traditional crop breeding, which she said protect climate stability, biodiversity and food security without reliance on toxic chemicals.
The report argues that HB4 wheat represents a continuation of a chemical-intensive agricultural model introduced in the 1990s with herbicide-tolerant crops such as Monsanto’s Roundup Ready varieties.
According to the group, these crops led to increased herbicide use, the emergence of resistant “superweeds,” and higher production costs for farmers.
Friends of the Earth warned that extending this model to wheat — a global staple food — could deepen chemical dependence in agriculture and exacerbate environmental damage.
The report highlights significant economic risks, noting that wheat is the third most widely grown crop in the United States and that roughly 44 percent of U.S. wheat production is exported annually.
Key trading partners, including Mexico, Japan and the Philippines, have historically rejected GMO wheat. Even limited commercialization of HB4 could disrupt export markets or contaminate non-GMO supplies, potentially costing farmers millions of dollars.
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The organization also cautioned that farmers who do not plant the crop could still be affected through cross-contamination and supply-chain mixing.
Additionally, it warned that proprietary GMO seeds could restrict farmers through contractual obligations to large seed and chemical corporations.
HB4 wheat’s tolerance to glufosinate ammonium has sparked particular alarm. The report cites studies linking the herbicide to reproductive harm, including premature birth, miscarriage and developmental problems. Pregnant women and children are considered especially vulnerable.
Because glufosinate can be sprayed directly on the crop, the approval could lead to higher residues in everyday foods such as bread, pasta and cereals, the report warns.
Beyond human health, the herbicide is said to threaten pollinators, soil microorganisms and aquatic life, potentially undermining long-term agricultural productivity. Its mobility in soil also raises concerns about water contamination.
Friends of the Earth criticized the U.S. approval process, alleging that regulators relied heavily on industry-provided data and did not require comprehensive independent testing of potential health and environmental risks before deeming the crop safe.
The report also challenges claims that HB4 wheat offers drought tolerance, arguing that independent evidence does not support superior performance under dry conditions. In some analyses, it reportedly yielded less than conventional wheat varieties, even during drought years.
The organization concluded that introducing GMO wheat could intensify industrial agriculture’s reliance on synthetic chemicals, expand corporate control over seeds and expose both farmers and consumers to unnecessary risks.
Instead, it advocates reforms to U.S. biotechnology regulations based on the precautionary principle and increased investment in agroecological methods, including organic farming. Genetically modified organisms and hundreds of synthetic pesticides — including glufosinate — are prohibited in certified organic agriculture.
The report was disseminated through global sustainable agriculture news networks, including Sustainable Pulse, which focuses on developments in GMOs, food systems and environmental sustainability.
While HB4 wheat is not yet in commercial production in the United States, the debate surrounding its approval is expected to intensify as regulators, farmers, food companies and consumers weigh its potential risks and benefits.