Genetically Modified Foods
The "Age of Genetics" was created by remarkable advances in the use of biotechnology to manipulate plant and animal genomes. Given that the world population has topped 6 billion and is expected to reach 9.2 billion by 2050, some scientists have proposed that only the worldwide introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods will increase crop yields enough to meet future nutritional demands. Pest resistance, herbicide, cold, drought, and salinity tolerance, along with increased nutrition, are seen as positive attributes of GM foods. However, others caution that unintended harm to other organisms, reduced effectiveness to pesticides, gene transfer to non-target species, allergenicity, and as yet unknown effects on human health are potential concerns regarding GM foods.
If you were in a position to control the introduction of a GM primary food product (rice, for example), what criteria would you establish before allowing such introduction?
Write your answers in the comments section.
(Adopted from Concepts of Genetics 10th Edition, Klug, Cummings, Spencer, Palladino)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGenetic engineering is among the various methods being used to meet breeding goals, namely, to develop robust, high yielding cultivars that require little or no spraying, custom tailored to specific regional conditions, also offers for conferring resistance to viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, goals also include tolerance to drought and salinity.
ReplyDeleteTHE CRITERIA FOR INTRODUCTION OF GM FOOD MAY INCLUDE THESE ACCORDINGLY:
• Analysis of the chemical composition of the relevant plant parts, measuring nutrients, anti-nutrients as well as any natural toxins or known allergens;
• Assess the risk of gene transfer from the food to microorganisms in the human gut;
• Study the possibility that any new components in the food might be allergens;
• Estimate how much of a normal diet the food will make up;
• Additional animal toxicity tests if there is the possibility that the food might pose a risk.
The concept of substantial equivalence(it is the initial step, establishing toxicological and nutritional differences in the new food compared to a conventional counterpart)is an adequate tool in order to identify safety issues related to genetically modified products that have a traditional counterpart".
• Check levels of variability generated in relation to conventional breeding.
• The risk of horizontal gene transfer between GMO plants and animals is very low,And in most cases is expected to be lower than background rates.
Studies on the possible effects of feeding animals with genetically modified food found no residues of recombinant DNA or novel proteins in any organ or tissue samples
i would check if GMO could withstand stress tolerance like drought,harsh climatic conditions , better yield , resistance to pesticides, herbicides to a certain extent also check if that genetically improved trait is safe for humans ( not causing any disease, side effects , allergies ) or ecological imbalance to environment for these that specific GMO has to be tested using different exposures
ReplyDeleteThe use of new agricultural practices in which only GM seeds are sown is genetic engineering. There is only one exact species that grows through this process. As time goes by, all the traditional species of a certain plant or crop are replaced by the GM variety. The primary product obtained from these plants is used as food and sources of food. About 80% of the food we consume in today’s world is genetically modified. There are advantages with this technique in the field of science, though there are several disadvantages. The extreme consumption of such primary food products is leading to cancers, insulin level fluctuations in the human body, low immunity, sterility, autism etc.
ReplyDeleteThese can be prevented by taking certain measures before the introduction of a GM primary food product into the market. I suggest some simple criteria to be followed for the introduction of GM crops or food sources:
1. Ensure that the crops are disease and pest resistant.
2. Check for the viability of the crop.
3. The yield of the crop should be more when compared to the normal crop plants.
4. The crops should be less toxic.
5. They should be thoroughly checked for any allergens present and removed before hand.
6. The crops should not cause much pollution to the environment.
As a solution to put a check to the problems with GM food products, we must stop using them and try to use the natural resources and nature friendly techniques in the field of agriculture for a healthier life.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would have to make sure there wouldn't be any adverse effects to the human population. At least no long term negative effects. I would achieve this by using a small test group consisting of volunteers of different ethnicities. Proper lab tests and monitoring would have to be administered to observe any kind of effects, be it positive or negative, of the GM food. Only after determining that it was absolutely safe for human consumption would I have it introduced to the public.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBefore introducing GM crops into fields I would take the following criteria firstly it should give more yield in less time, it does not effect the fertility of soil,it must be drought,herbicide,cold,salinity tolerant and pest resistance along with increased nutrition are seen as positive attributes of GM crops and economically affortable to every farmer
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere are different criterias for an GM product to be introduced, they are generally based on the product which we are trying to introduce.
ReplyDeleteWhen a new gene is introduced into a plant, the general outcome is the formation of a new protein. These proteins are often new for human consumption.
The safety of a particular protein regarding toxicity should be assessed using animal feeding tests.
Some GM products cause allergic reactions in some people. So, allergy check should be done before introducing, some of the tests which i prefer to do are as follows:
• Degree of similarity to other allergens
• Stability of the protein during digestion
• Tests with blood from individuals who are sensitive to allergies
I believe that for a GM product to be introduced, it must test positive in all areas, including the adverse effects. The adverse effects mentioned currently in GM products are: harm to organisms, reduced effectiveness to pesticides, gene transfer to non-target species, allergenicity, and unknown health effects on humans. Therefore, these areas must test positive. Thus, the criteria I would establish before allowing an introduction of a GM primary food product are:
ReplyDelete-Effectiveness towards pesticide use
-Ability to produce a greater yield in nutrition in humans
-Extent of harm on humans
-Testing of gene transfer
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAccording to The World Conservation Union (IUCN) report it was found that the controversies are essentially in three areas :-They are
ReplyDelete● The interpretation of science and specifically whether GMOs are inherently safe or inherently dangerous from a human and environmental perspective;
● Economic analysis and in particular how to evaluate the cost-and-benefits associated with GMOs;
● Socio-cultural impacts and bisafety implications revolving around issues of food production and security, livelihoods, and human and environmental health.
Based on the above three areas,if I am in a position to control the introduction of genetically modified primary food crops,
Some of the factor I would mainly consider are:-
1. Whether the crop is disease, pest and weed resistant,
2. Abiotic stress tolerance
3. Genetic viability of the seeds,
4. Cost effective,
5. Large productivity with high nutritional contents,
6. Trait effects on non-target species
7. Indirect environmental effects
8. Affects on human beings
9. Environmental impact etc.
Agriculture of any type - subsistence, organic or intensive - affects the environment, so it is natural to expect that the use of new genetic techniques in agriculture will also affect the environment.
Socio-cultural impacts and bio safety implications are based on various customs depends on the country and their religious beliefs.
My first step would be to notify the local relevant authoratative bodies which in Jamaica would be the Ministry of Health and The Bureau of Standards Jamaica for safety assessment. This gives an oppurtunity for production process to be clarified and any safety issues to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteScientific assessment should then take place by individuals with expertise in molecular biology, toxicology, chemistry, nutritional sciences and microbiology. Some of the assessment would include; development of the modified organism, potential of the GM food to develop toxins and the composition and nutritional value of the GM food.
Thirdly, all findings, recommendations and assessments must be compiled and submitted in a report. This report is then evaluated by senior staff of a relevant authoratative body.
If the GM food meets all the required standards of both food and environmental safety then the proponent of the product will be notified of it's approval and allowance for it to be sold in the country will be given.
The introduction to GM crops was mainly established in America, germany and other countries. Farming takes place on an industrial scale with millions of acres exclusively for growing crops. Intensive use of pesticides has virtually wiped out wild animals and plants in the huge crop fields. And these farms are separate to the rest of the countryside and nature reserves. So I think the use of herbicide or insect resistant crops could potentially have severe effects on our biodiversity by wiping out the flowers and insects that feed on them.
ReplyDeleteGM foods even if they were simply engineered to stay fresh for longer, more would purchase foods modified to resist insect pests, resulting in less use of pesticides. And also soil quality should be improved by removing heavy metals from the soil, so that they can be harvested and destroyed. Testing also needs to be carried out preferably by independent research bodies rather than biotech companies, before genetically modified organisms should be released into the world.
When introducing any new technology, including gene technology in the form of genetically modified foods, into the food chain, there is a need to adopt appropriate safeguards to protect human health. When considering safety in relation to GM foods, generalisations cannot validly be made. Instances have to be considered and studied in a case-by-case approach, and each case should be assessed in relation to the food involved, as ready for consumption, whether by man or by animals.
ReplyDeleteAcceptability or non-acceptability should be established by determining whether a novel food is considerably equivalent to an analogous conventional food in terms of composition, nutritional properties, toxin and allergen content, the amount consumed, the type of processing (industrial or domestic) that the food might undergo and consumption by vulnerable groups of people , for example infants and the elderly. Based on this, foods would be assigned into three categories:
1. Products that are substantially equivalent to existing foods or food components
2. Products that are substantially equivalent to existing foods or food components except for defined differences
3. Products that are not substantially equivalent to existing foods or food components
Where differences are identified, extensive animal feeding and toxicological trials would be carried out. Care must be taken that allergenic is not inadvertently introduced into the diet. This requires assessment by predictive methods, experimental testing and a post-marketing surveillance. The testing of GM products for suspected allergens can be done by an IgE test with serum from sensitive individuals. After it has been determined that the product is safe for human consumption it can then be introduced.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGene technology is one of the branches of modern biotechnology that is concerned with understanding the expression of genes, taking advantage of natural variation, modifying and /or transferring genes to new host to create products of desired traits. A popular method to achieve such accomplishment is through the usage of genetically modified foods.
ReplyDeleteBefore introducing this method, it is essential to ensure that this method will be safe for humans to consume. There should also be little or no harm that will be done to the plant in the effort to change the natural pattern growth of the plant. The crops should also be resistant to pest, less toxic and the environment should be favorable for this production. The nutritional value is a major concern and should also be analyzed carefully before introducing should method. Proper screening test should also be done on a regular basis to ensure that at all times these products are safe.
Information sessions should also be carried out by the Ministry of health to educate and inform the public on this new technology. It would also be necessary to ensure that the criteria made by the World Health Organization concerning the establishment of GM foods are met.