Public concerns on Genetically Modified Food and Labeling Policy

Source: The pros and cons of GM foods: Food for thought

Udeshi, Sujata. DNA : Daily News & Analysis [Mumbai] 20 Feb 2010.
Advantages:
1/ Feed the huge world population.
Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major
challenge in the years to come. GM foods promise to meet this need.
2/ Nutrition and Pharmaceuticals enhancement:
Enhancing the nutritional qualities like rice with more vitamins or tomatoes with
vaccines to protect against diseases are all being researched for their beneficial
effects.
3/ Solving problems in agriculture
a/ Disease resistance. There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant
diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered
resistance to these diseases.
b/ Temperature tolerance. Unexpected temperature can destroy sensitive seedlings.
For example, an antifreeze gene has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and
potato which are able to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified
seedling
Disadvantages:
1/Health:
a/ Toxins and Poisons found in GM foods: 99.9 per cent of edible GM foods are
designed to contain toxic pesticides whose effect on the human body and the
environment are not known. However, few studies with GM food have shown to
damage vital organs and immune systems, lead to death, increase natural plant
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Public concerns on Genetically Modified Food and Labeling Policy

toxins, create new toxins and increase allergens in food. Seralini, a French molecular
biologist has shown Bt brinjal had been modified to produced an unknown chimeric
(artificial) toxin.
b/ Food Allergies: Increases in food allergies such as peanuts, milk, eggs and shellfish
leading to increases in asthma, eczema and respiratory problem. A variety of GM
soya had to be withdrawn from the market because of the allergic reaction it caused
when eaten.
2/ Affecting environment:
a/ Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops could give rise to super-weeds
and super-pests that would need newer, stronger chemicals to destroy them.
b/GM crops could cross-pollinate with nearby non-GM plants and create ecological
problems. If this were to happen with GM foods containing vaccines, antibiotics,
contraceptives and so on, it would very well turn into a human health nightmare.
3/ morality controversial
Environmental activists, religious organisations, public interest groups, professional
associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns
about GM foods, and criticised agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for
potential hazards, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory
oversight.