It's human nature to embrace new developments that can potentially further the existence of humanity. However, not every development is healthy -- and whether or not genetically modified foods are healthy is debatable. On one hand, GM foods can contribute to human growth and development because crop yields increase, leading to better nutrition for much of the world, according to the World Health Organization. On the other hand, GM foods are unnatural and could pose health risks.
About GM Food
GM food is grown and genetically engineered with genetic material that does not occur naturally. Scientists also select genes from one organism and transfer them to another. Scientists genetically modify food for various reasons -- a main one is to improve crop production. Other reasons for tampering with Mother Nature are to lower the price of food and to make food more durable and resistant against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides.
Health Risks
Because of the introduction of new genetic material, possible health risks could ensue. For example, to create insect resistant crops, scientists use a gene from soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis. This BT gene is a toxin that kills insects that disturb crops and is supposed to be safe for humans. Monsanto, a U.S.-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation, uses this genetically modified gene for growing corn. Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology, who wrote the bestselling books, "Seeds of Deception" and "Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods," is concerned about the safety of BT toxin. He cites a study conducted by researchers at Sherbrooke University Hospital in Quebec that study found BT toxins in 93 percent of the 30 pregnant women tested and in 67 percent of non-pregnant women. The study has been accepted for publication in 2011 in the journal, "Reproductive Toxicology."
Allergies
The U.S. started using BT corn in 1996, and many people are concerned about increased allergies because of this gene, according to WHO. As of 2005, WHO has not found any allergic effects. However, Smith disputes that assessment, stating that the BT gene triggers immune system responses based on research conducted in Italy, which found that mice fed the Monsanto corn showed elevated antibodies associated with infections and allergies. The Italian study was performed on mice and was published in 2008 in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry."
Other Health Risks
According to WHO, gene transfer and outcrossing are other main concerns regarding GM foods. There's a danger that modified genes can turn out to be harmful for human health and that the body could develop antibiotic-resistant genes in response to transferred genes. Outcrossing occurs when food that is not approved for human consumption, but is approved for animal feed, appears in products made for humans. This happened before with maize, according to WHO.
Bottom Line
You cannot lump all GM foods together because they all have different modified genes. WHO believes that with proper assessment, GM foods are not likely to present health risks. The benefits to be gained are plants that can withstand disease, crops with more nutrients and fish that can grow bigger.
References
- World Health Organization; Current GM Foods Can Bring Benefits But Safety Assessments Must Continue; June 2005
- World Health Organization: 20 Questions on Genetically Modified Foods
- Institute for Responsible Technology; Dangerous Toxins From Genetically Modified Plants Found in Women and Fetuses; Jeffrey Smith; May 2011
- "Reproductive Toxicology"; Maternal and Fetal Exposure to Pesticides ... ; Aziz Aris, et.al.; February 2011
- "Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Intestinal and Peripheral Immune Response to ... ; Alberto Finamore; November 2008
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