Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms are likely to be introduced to the public.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in a laboratory through genetic engineering. It involves introducing of a gene from a different organism. It is a fairly new science that creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. The majority of GMO’s current genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield, drought tolerance and enhanced nutrition. Although the Biotech industry have made some gains in this area, progress in crop sustainability is a work in progress.
GMOs were approved for commercial use and first planted in U.S. soil in 1996. Their use has increased dramatically since that time. It is estimated that 90% of all soybean, cotton and corn acreage in the United States is used to grow genetically engineered crops. Other approved food crops include; sugar beets, alfalfa, canola, papaya and summer squash. In March the FDA approve genetically modified apples that don’t brown and potatoes that resist bruising. The apples genetically altered to resist turning brown after they're bruised or sliced. The growers of the GM potatoes claim that their potatoes have 40 percent less bruising from impacts and pressure during harvest and storage then conventional potatoes, which result in an additional 3 billion pounds of potatoes that are normally thrown away each year by consumers.
There is a general agreement in the scientific community that food from genetically modified crops are not essentially riskier to human health. According to the European Commission Directorate General for Health, the Consumers and the National Research Council, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Medical Association, there have not been any conclusive studies proving genetically modified foods have negative effects.
Despite these endorsements, there are concerns about GMO’s related to food safety, regulation, labelling and environmental impact. Advocacy opponent groups fear that there has not been enough long-term research and there could be risks have not been identified yet. Another problem lies with the research itself. GM seeds are subject to intellectual property rights and owned by corporations. Since the seeds are proprietary, there has been limited access to research material and differences the design, analysis and the interpretation of data from studies. Another huge concern is the effect of a genetically modified organism effects on the human body. There is no definitive answer on the possibility of gene transfer to humans or genetic outcrossing to other organisms which could lead to toxicity or adverse reactions.
Not all countries agree with the FDA’s position. There are over 60 nations do not consider GMOs to be safe., Japan, Australia and all of the countries in the European Union have either put significant restrictions or outright banned the production and sale of GMOs. There are approximately 64 countries that require labeling of products that contain GMO’s. In the US manufacturers are not required to identify GMO information on their labels. The FDA has maintained this stance despite surveys showing a majority of the public want this information to be labeled. A recent study by Consumer Reports revealed that over 80 processed foods include organism’s whose DNA has been altered. A Consumer Reports study last year indicated a significant number of items: cereals, baby formulas, and some snacks contained some ingredients which have had their DNA altered. Consumers need to be aware that even if a food is labeled “natural,” it does not mean it is free of GMO’s. There is no accepted standard as to what “natural” means. However, if a product is labeled “USDA Organic” it is required to be free of GMO’s.
