Running head: GMO HEALTH RISKS

GMO Health Risks

Ada Benjamin
University of Texas at El Paso
Prof. Fatima S. Masoud
RWS 1312: Research and Critical Writing

GMO HEALTH RISKS

2
Abstract

From the beginning of time, humans have tried to solve the fundamental problem of
steady and reliable food provision. While this problem persisted, another arose and it was about
the maximization of the output from natural food sources. The urge for things to be done quicker
and enhancement of production has been something humans strive to achieve every day. In the
case of food production, a wide variety of technical and technological solutions based on
scientific achievements and results have been introduced. These solutions gave rise to a
biotechnological method called genetic engineering, also known as genetic modification. Genetic
modification (GM) is the direct intervention on the genetic makeup of an organism usually by
introducing foreign DNA into its gene pool by means that would not occur naturally. GM crops
offer unique features such as herbicide, insecticide and toxin release; disease and drought
resistance; low cost; better nutritional value; and higher yield. From this technology emerged
some interesting products such as fish that mature quickly, fruit trees that yield years earlier than
its normal yielding years, and bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases
such as hepatitis B. The purpose of this literary review is to look into the potential health risks
associated with the consumption of these GM foods.
Keywords: Genetically modified organism (GMO), Genetic modification (GM), Transgenic,
Biotechnology, Health risks
GMO Health Risk: A Review of Literature
Foods produced through the use of GMOs are increasingly coming into existence and are
being injected into the market, making them available for purchase and consumption by
consumers in the United States. According to J.S. de Vendmois, from the International Journal
of Biological Sciences, the debate on the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
used for food and feed is still very lively throughout the world, more than 15 years after their

GMO HEALTH RISKS

first commercial release (de Vendmois et al., 2010, p. 590). A genetically modified organism
(GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering
techniques (i.e., a genetically engineered organism). GM, like all new technologies, can also pose
risks, some known and some unknown. Public concern and controversies surrounding GM crops
and foods commonly focus on human and environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice,
intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, famine reduction and environmental
conservation.
The methods used to transfer the genes of modified DNA of a genetically modified plant are
unpredictable and imprecise. These unintended changes are possible differences in the foods
nutritional values, toxic and allergic effects, lower crop yields and unforeseen harm to the
environment that cannot be recalled (Dona et al., 2009, pp. 164-165). We therefore investigate
the health risks associated with the consumption of GMO foods by examining and answering
these four important questions:
1. What are GMOs?
2. Are there health risks associated with eating GMOs?
3. What legal procedures and policies are being conducted to ensure that GMO production
and consumption is being properly regulated?
4. What is the future of GMO foods?
These questions will narrow the purpose of this literature review by providing the reader with
adequate and useful information on GMO foods, including the potential risks involved in its
consumption, and the different points of view surrounding GMO regulation policies.
What are GMOs?
GMO stands for genetically modified organism, which is any organism whose genetic
material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques (i.e., a genetically engineered
organism). GMOs are the primary result of advancements in DNA science and research, Gachet

GMO HEALTH RISKS

describes it as if DNA [became] like a magnetic tape, that can be cut, moved and reinserted to
create new or different information. Thanks to molecular biologyplant genomic DNA has
also been significantly improved. (Gachet, 1998, p. 380). This process is presented in Figure 1,
which shows how foreign DNA is recombined to create a modified gene.

Figure 1: Genetic Modification: the genome sample 2 has had some of its original DNA stripped from it
and it was then added to the genome 1. The Recombination process attaches the two together thus
forming the newly Modified Gene.

This is how GMOs have come to be, and with further research and studies within the
DNA world, GMOs will continue to mature as a practiced science. Genetically engineered
plants have been accepted by many countries across the world. For example, the United States,
Canada, Australia, and Japan all permit GMOs to be sold as products. With the most widely
produced GMO crops being corn and soy. These ingredients are very commonly used in
processed foods, a very high 60% of all processed foods to be exact, contain the modified
soy bean alone. (Gachet, 1998, p. 383). Clearly, the use of GMOs in common foods is on the
rise.

GMO HEALTH RISKS

Producers of GM crops have several reasons as to why they choose to harvest GMOs.
These reasons are not limited to the following: to increase resistance of crops to certain toxins or
viruses, to increase pesticide resistance, to increase resistance to certain powerful herbicides, and
to increase food yield. However, so many people believe this approach solely aims to increase
profitability to the corporations that produce them. These corporations claim that GMOs are
needed in order to produce higher yields of food in order to fight world hunger. However,
according to Gustavsson et al (2011)., the real factor impacting world hunger is the
misdistribution of food due to faulty international trade laws which adversely affect the people of
the country producing the food (p. 1). That is, international trade laws are made in order to have
food produced in countries that do not consume it but are rather imported into other countries for
consumption. Nearly 160 million tons of food is wasted annually worldwide. This amounts to
about 50 billion dollars of wasted produce. This article argues that the countries where food is
imported for consumption are at fault for not implementing a food waste and food distribution
system where people fighting hunger can have access to redistributed food. In other words, no
matter how much food is being produced, the people fighting hunger still will not have access to
this food unless trade laws are changed or abolished. In fact, from these statements we can imply
that producing higher yields of GMOs will not solve the hunger crisis but will actually lead to
more food waste, land waste, and wasted money.
Are there health risks associated with eating GMOs?
There are many conflicting point of views regarding the potential health risks of
consuming GMOs. According to Arvanitoyannis & Dona (2009), health risks that follow eating
GM foods include the potential for pleiotropic and insertional effects, effects on animal and
human health resulting from the increase of anti-nutrients, potential effects on human health
resulting from the use of viral DNA in plants, possible transfer of antibiotic resistant genes to

GMO HEALTH RISKS

bacteria in gastrointestinal tract, and possible effects of GM foods on allergic responses (p.165).
However, U.S. government agencies do not view GMOs as a health risk. In particular, the FDA
has stated that GM foods are no different from their natural counterparts that have existed for
centuries, and that GM crops are GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as long as their
producers say they are (Smith, 2013, p.1). Thus, the FDA does not require any safety
evaluations or labeling of GMOs which is why a company can introduce a GMO to the market
without prior FDA approval. This negligence has given the producers power to harm the
consumers that are very much unaware of what they purchase and consume since they have little
to no information regarding the presence of GMOs in their foods.
Research has shown that GMOs are harmful and can cause unintended side effects. For
example, there are GM foods that contain genes that increase resistance to certain antibiotics.
Therefore, a risk in question would be that if a person eats a lot of GM foods, antibiotics might
not have the usual effects against infection in that person for proper treatment. Furthermore, in
tests done on rats there has been proven results of liver shrinkage, and rats being 12-16%
heavier (Smith, 2013, p. 5). This explains the masses of people that suffer from obesity and
liver failure and even possibly death. Also, an important question to ask is, could frequent
consumption of this GM food lead to overdose or toxin build up in the body? GM plants, such as
soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola, have had foreign genes forced into their DNA. The
inserted genes come from species, such as bacteria and viruses, which have never been in the
human food. (Smith, 2013, pp. 4-10). By inserting these chemicals and other entities into the
organisms us humans eat, the result then becomes an insertion of unfamiliar, possibly toxic, and
unnatural features that do not compute well with the multiple natural functioning systems within
our bodies. So without even knowing it, people are consuming chemicals in their foods that
could be killing them. As Smith states, Heavily invested biotech corporations are gambling with

GMO HEALTH RISKS

the health of our nation [and many others] for their profit. In summary, consumers need to know
the truth about the food they are consuming. By understanding the health risks associated with
GMOs, consumers would be more informed and would try to avoid GMO consumption at all
costs.
What legal procedures and policies are being conducted to ensure that GMO
production and consumption is being properly regulated?
The idea of labeling products to show that is GMO free or not should not be something of
discussion, but sadly it is. The procedures and laws that are brought up in this discussion are not
just about one nation in itself, but also in respect to transatlantic trading blocs amongst power
trading countries like the ones listed before: United States, Japan, Europe and Australia. These
countries are trying to be more mindful of their nation by trying to regain the trust of their
people, many of which have lost trust in the food market. Although the idea is not favored by
many food groups or corporations, who hide behind a claim on freedom of speech, the results
would mean a financial decrease in the pockets of those very food organizations. A market of
consumer-driven solution may eventually terminate the GMO dispute between the two
transatlantic trading blocs. (Loureiro, 2003, p. 1). This means that countries are beginning to
look at the possible effects, GMO labeling would have on their economic trading profit.
What is the future of GMO foods?
The possibility, in regards to the future of GMOs, can only be determined on the present.
This is not a matter of A=B or if this happens then that, but rather it is a discussion of universal
health. If people want a better tomorrow, one must prepare today; with this being said the
protocols that have taken place today do not reflect a good outcome for the future. However, the
simple fact that GMO production and labeling has become a topic issue in America, and
countries around the world brings good hope for the future of GMO foods and the individuals

GMO HEALTH RISKS

who consume them. (Benjamin, Observation, 10/20/2016) With health concerns and questions
becoming more of a priority than the economics behind GMO labeling or production, the only
apprehension is the willingness of lawmakers to allow certain tolerances of non-GMO
products. (Linder, 2000, p. 7). This willingness is a strong key factor for all to learn to be
more accepting of, meaning that the consumer, lawmakers, and corporations must become more
mindful of who is being affected. If GMO labeling becomes legal, it would help many be more
cautious. If nothing is changed and GMO labeling is not required in the future, who is happiest:
customer or corporation? But isnt the customer always right? (Benjamin, Observation,
10/20/2016) The demand for labeling has increased tremendously, so has the demand for
stopping the production of GMO foods. The future of anything dealing with GMO and
biotechnology is in the hands of the present. The simple courtesy of labeling the use of non-use
of GMOs, can accumulate a tremendous increase in profit; but how will corporations know this
unless they take the initiative to try?
Conclusion
In conclusion, after reviewing the multiple primary and secondary sources which have
answered the many questions of concern in regard to GMOs, it can be safe to say that the
attention level from nations all over about the topic has risen. People are beginning to pay more
attention to their rights, health and humanity. It is an ever-changing topic issue that cannot be
simply solved in a step one, step two manner. If dealt with properly and in a timely manner it
can be the rise or downfall of one of those powerful trading nations -and others- in their own
economies. This research in all areas, has showcased the multiple outcomes, strategies and
formats in which legal and health GMO concerns can decrease, which in turn would increase the
trust of the consumer, and their willingness to spend.

GMO HEALTH RISKS

References
Dona, A., & Arvanitoyannis, I. S. (2009). Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods. Critical
Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 49(2), 164-175.
doi:10.1080/10408390701855993
Gachet, E., Martin, G., Vigneau, F., & Meyer, G. (1998, November). Detection of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) by PCR: A brief review of methodologies available. Trends
in Food Science & Technology, 9(11-12), 380-388. doi:10.1016/s0924-2244(99)00002-3
Gustavsson, J., Cederberg, C., Sonesson, U., Van Otterdijk, R., & Meybeck, A. (2011). Global
food losses and food waste. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
Rom
Jeffrey S. State-Of-The-Science On The Health Risks of GM Foods. Institute for Responsible
Technology, 1-25.
Linder, B. (2000, January 23). The Future for Frankenstein Foods - AgEcon Search. Retrieved
October 22, 2016, from http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/171917/2/lindner.pdf
Loureiro, M. L. (2003, April). EuroChoices - Wiley Online Library. Retrieved October 21, 2016,
from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1746-692X
Singh, A. (2014). Genetically Modified Food: A Review on Mechanism of Production and
Labeling Concern" APAR Advances in Plants & Agriculture Research, 1(4).
doi:10.15406/apar.2014.01.00020
Smith, J. (2013, January). State of the Science on the Health Risks of GM Foods. Retrieved
October 16, 2016, from http://responsibletechnology.org/state-of-science/

GMO HEALTH RISKS

10

Vendmois, J. S. (2010). Debate on GMOs Health Risks after Statistical Findings in Regulatory
Tests. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 590-598. doi:10.7150/ijbs.6.590