Genetically Modified Foods Research Assignment Paper

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Genetically Modified Foods
To understand what genetically modified food is, one first needs to understand what genetically modified organisms are. WHO defines genetically modified organisms as “organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.” The foreign genes can come from insects, bacteria, animals, viruses or even human beings. Genetically modified foods, therefore, encompass any type of food that is manufactured or produced from genetically modified organisms. There have been numerous debates as well as critics as people keep questioning the safety of GM foods. Two solid parties, one purporting that GM foods are safe for consumption while the other one vehemently opposing have come up and neither is about to agree with the notions of the other side. Instead of focusing on the debate, it is essential that people first understand why GM foods are produced and what the initial intentions were. The essence of any technological innovation is to improve the lives of people and to eliminate the problems that existed. Developers of GM seeds sought to find ways they can use to increase the resistance of crops thus improving crop protection. Considering this initial intention and barring other selfish intentions that might have attracted new entrants into GM seed development, it is safe to say that GM foods are safe for consumption and this makes the gist of this article.
First of all, it is important to acknowledge that there are some GM foods that are not safe. The market has been flooded by every Tom, Dick, and Harry whose interests might be different from the initial intentions of gene technology. However, it would be wrong to brand all GM foods unsafe because of a few elements who are motivated by selfish desires and mostly money. Everyone assumes that conventional foods are safe unless an abnormality is detected. However, GM foods do not get a free pass and they are always assessed before they are released to the market. The WHO has the Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses whose mandate is to help national food safety agencies in conducting risk assessments for GM foods. This is essential and can help to avert any health related concerns associated with the foods. According to O’Callaghan (2017) reported that “millions of eggs are being recalled from shops and warehouses in Germany and the Netherlands and being blocked from sale in Belgium.” To avert such cases it is indeed essential that safety assessments be conducted to help determine which foods are safe and which ones are not.
Safety Assessment of GMO foods
Before any food is declared safe for consumption, tests must be done and after it has passed these then and only then can it be declared fit. Some of the issues national food safety agencies and WHO focusses on include:
* Toxicity
Toxicity simply involves any dangerous effects that could be found on the GM foods. After harvesting the first crop, it is necessary to test whether there could be any serious issues associated with the food. Like any new product before it is sold, tests must be done to ensure that it is safe to be used or consumed. It would be within the rights of the consumers to sue a company if its products are defective and negatively affects one’s health.
* Allergenicity
Allergenicity simply means that ability to cause an allergic reaction on the consumers. GM foods can indeed induce allergic reactions if correct measures are not taken. Therefore, tests focused on allergenicity are necessary.
* Any particular components thought to have any toxic or nutritional properties
Gene insertion can be done through various ways. However, there are instances when the insertion can also lead to the absorption of other components which can have toxic properties. Therefore, it is essential to ensure such components and their effects are neutralized before consumers can have the chance to sample.
* Stability of the gene used
The inserted gene needs to be stable and invariable. Some are unstable and can thus lead to undesired effects.
* Specific nutritional effects which could be directly related with the modification
Any food should be tested and its nutritional effects assessed. It is, therefore, to assess the nutritional effects of GM foods.
* Unplann...