While some individuals are concerned with what they should eat, others are more concerned about where the food comes from and how it was produced. The general public’s interest in genetic manipulation, pesticide use, and organically farmed food has grown, as has the debate about the necessity and safety of various farming practices. What exactly is genetically modified food, why is it done, and how does it relate to pesticide use? A qualified dietitian will discuss the most recent research on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with you so that you can make the healthiest resolution about which foods to buy and eat.
What Does GMO Stand For?
GMOs are plants or animals in the genetic material (DNA) altered in a way that will not occur naturally, either by pairing or natural recombination. It’s also referred to as gene technology or genetic engineering. Americans first had access to GMO foods in the 1990s. Corn, soybeans, and canola are common GMO crops in the United States.
GMOs are a big step forward in science because they allow researchers to choose individual genes to be transferred from one organism to another, even between species that aren’t related. Some individuals are pleased by the scientific study allowing this form of DNA alteration when they hear about GMO technology, while others are terrified that science can alter DNA. There is no right or wrong way to feel about GMOs, but before you make an opinion, it’s a good idea to grasp why foods may be genetically modified fully.
It’s also worth noting that GMOs are not the same as hybridization or selective breeding, which are natural processes used by farmers for hundreds of years to produce crops with specific desirable qualities, such as larger strawberries or corn in different colors. In those circumstances, the DNA is not altered.
Why Are Foods Genetically Modified?
Researchers create GMOs to benefit farmers or consumers. For example, if GMO crops have a better yield, farmers benefit more, while customers receive more food at a reduced cost. In addition, foods are sometimes genetically engineered to provide a greater nutritional value. For example, Golden Rice, GMO rice, contains 50% of the daily value for vitamin A, a primary dietary deficit in the impoverished world.
Foods can also be genetically modified to increase crop protection. The crop’s DNA is modified to make it more resistant to disease, drought, and pests. This also implies that the crop may be more herbicide tolerant, allowing for lower pesticide application rates. Some of these gains can be made without engineering, but changing plants or animals using traditional breeding methods takes a long time and cannot be accurate or specific.
GMOs have the advantage of allowing researchers to modify plants or animals in a more precise and timely manner. But, of course, some opponents perceive this as a disadvantage rather than a positive. They are concerned about modifying the DNA of foods, which could lead to allergies or antibiotic resistance.
Why Are Supplements Genetically Modified?
Supplements are manufactured in factories using a variety of substances, some of which may be genetically modified. This could be done for utility, cost, or any other practical purpose. Vitamin D supplements, for example, may be manufactured from lanolin, which is generated from sheep’s wool. Because certain sheep have been genetically altered to produce more wool and milk, the lanolin from those sheep is labeled GMO. Some supplement firms choose to avoid using GMO components in their products. GMO and non-GMO supplements are also accessible.
Common Concerns About GMOs
Some people are concerned about using GMOs on human health and the environment. Here are some of the reasons:
Allergens
There is some fear that introducing genes from common allergens (peanuts, fish, and soy) into other foods may produce allergic reactions in persons who are sensitive to them. On the other hand, transferring genes from common allergens is avoided unless scientists can demonstrate that the gene being transferred is not allergenic.
Pesticides
Some GMO plants are engineered to be insect resistant, reducing the need for pesticides. However, many GMOs are developed to withstand direct herbicide application, such as glyphosate (the primary ingredient in Roundup). The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a potential human carcinogen (with overexposure).
Transfer of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes
There is widespread concern that antibiotic-resistant genes could be transmitted into GMO foods and eventually into human bodies. However, the likelihood of transmission is modest (but not impossible).
Other Crop Contamination
Outcrossing occurs when genes from GM plants pass over into non-GMO or organic crops. Some individuals are worried about the uncontrollable spread of this pathogen and how it may harm soil, wild plants, the environment, and other crops.
How GMOs Are Safely Regulated
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed in 1992 that foods derived from genetically modified (GMO) plants must fulfill the requirements and safety standards of foods generated from traditionally bred plants. GMOs are regulated by the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They keep track of the effects of GMOs on human health and the environment.
The Plant Biotechnology Consultation Program monitors the safety of GMOs. The GMO plant developer uploads food safety evaluation data to the FDA through this program. It should be considered, however, that this initiative is entirely voluntary, which means that GMO plant developers are not technically compelled to disclose safety data to the FDA (but the FDA says that most do).
Is it possible for a GMO to be certified organic?
Organic foods and supplements, by definition, cannot be grown from GMO seeds or contain genetically modified substances. USDA states that “the use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in organic food is forbidden.” So, if you want to eat non-GMO foods, look for products that are labeled non-GMO or organic.
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
Genetic modification is a high-level technology that can assist boost agricultural yield while cutting food prices, yet some people remain skeptical. In addition, because GMO foods have only been available since the 1990s, there is considerable concern that not enough research has been conducted on their long-term safety. However, for the time being, the FDA, USDA, and EPA consider them safe, and GMO foods (particularly maize, soy, and canola) are readily available to consumers. If you don’t want to eat GMO foods, look for those labeled non-GMO or USDA organic.
