Some members of the public have expressed concern with the safety of genetically engineered food since its introduction to the market in the 1990s. Common sources of genetically modified food in the U.S. are corn, soybeans and canola. The World Health Organization addresses three major public concerns with GM foods, including allergic reactions, the presence of modified food genes in the body and cross breeding with nonmodified crops. The safety of GM foods is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Allergenicity
The World Health Organization discourages genetic modification using genes from commonly allergenic foods. The exception is when the protein of the transferred gene is shown to be nonallergenic. "A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions," notes Deborah Whitman in her 2000 article, "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the WHO have examined protocols for testing GM foods for allergens.
Gene Transfer
The transfer of modified genes into cells in the body or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract are cause for concern if the genes pose risks to human health. GM foods resistant to antibiotics would be particularly concerning, according to the WHO. An expert panel of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO encouraged foods to be modified without antibiotic-resistant genes.
Outcrossing
Outcrossing is the transfer of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or wild species. Crops derived from conventional and GM seeds can also be mixed. The WHO noted crossing crops can pose a risk to food safety and security. "This risk is real, as was shown when traces of a maize type which was only approved for feed use appeared in maize products for human consumption in the United States of America," the WHO stated. Several countries reduce mixing by separating the fields where GM and conventional crops are grown.
Regulation
Each government follows a different protocol for regulating GM foods. Some don't yet regulate them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration work together to regulate GM foods. The San Diego Center for Molecular Agriculture notes the USDA regulates the transportation, growth and propagation of GM plants, the EPA regulates chemicals and the FDA regulates food safety. The EPA regulates crops genetically engineered to be pest-resistant, the center noted.
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