One specific concern is the possibility for GMOs to negatively affect human health. This could result from differences in nutritional content, allergic response, or undesired side effects such as toxicity, organ damage, or gene transfer.
GMOs are the subject of strong hostility in France and in other European countries, particularly because their risk/benefit balance is perceived as very unfavorable and because the general public often lacks confidence in their promoters and the regulatory process.
Various ethical issues associated with HGT from GMOs have been raised including perceived threats to the integrity and intrinsic value of the organisms involved, to the concept of natural order and integrity of species, and to the integrity of the ecosystems in which the genetically modified organism occurs [24].
The UQ PhD study found the benefits of GM plants and food outweighed the risks, finding no compelling evidence of harm to humans from GM plants. Dr Carter said there was no evidence to justify continuing moratoriums on commercial GM planting so long as thorough risk assessments were done.
The biggest threat caused by GM foods is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.
The possible benefits of genetic engineering include:
- More nutritious food.
- Tastier food.
- Disease- and drought-resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources (such as water and fertilizer)
- Less use of pesticides.
- Increased supply of food with reduced cost and longer shelf life.
- Faster growing plants and animals.
No. Eating GM food will not affect a person's genes. Most of the food we eat contains genes, although in cooked or processed foods, most of the DNA has been destroyed or degraded and the genes are fragmented. Our digestive system breaks them down without any effect on our genetic make-up.
A group of scientists did an extensive review of research on the safety of crops from GMOs over the past 10 years. They found no significant harm directly tied to genetic engineering. And the American Medical Association thinks genetically modified foods are OK.
Types of Genetic Modification Methods for Crops
- Traditional Crop Modification. Traditional methods of modifying plants, like selective breeding and crossbreeding, have been around for nearly 10,000 years.
- Genetic Engineering.
- Genome Editing.
Without the FDA's approval, implantation of a genetically modified human embryo is illegal in the USA. However, genetically modifying human embryos for research purposes are permitted, even though such experiments remain ineligible for public funding.
Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides. GM foods can also allow for reductions in food prices through improved yields and reliability.
GE crops paired with their pesticide counterparts wreak havoc on the environment through: Increased herbicide use. Increase of herbicide-resistant weeds. The contamination of organic and conventional (non-GMO) crops.
After a decade of cultivation, environmental benefits are emerging. Bt corn reduces the need for pesticides, and while the primary benefit comes largely during a heavy corn-borer infestation, an unpredictable event, a secondary effect is that beneficial insects fare much better under these conditions.
GMOs also reduce the amount of pesticides that need to be sprayed, while simultaneously increasing the amount of crops available to be eaten and sold. Over the last 20 years, GMOs have reduced pesticide applications by 8.2% and helped increase crop yields by 22%.
Livestock are modified with the intention of improving economically important traits such as growth-rate, quality of meat, milk composition, disease resistance and survival. Animals have been engineered to grow faster, be healthier and resist diseases.
Environmental improvementsCrop biotechnology has contributed to significantly reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This results from less fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with GM crops.
