воскресенье, 16 июня 2013 г.
четверг, 13 июня 2013 г.
Some questions on genetically modified foods
1. What are genetically modified (GM) organisms and GM
foods?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as
organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not
occur naturally. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene
technology”, sometimes also “genetic engineering”. It allows selected
individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between
non-related species.
Such methods are used to create GM plants – which are
then used to grow GM food crops.
2. Why are GM foods produced?
GM foods are developed – and marketed – because there
is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods.
This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit
(in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. Initially GM seed
developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers so have
concentrated on innovations that farmers (and the food industry more generally)
would appreciate.
The initial objective for developing plants based on
GM organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM crops currently on the
market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the
introduction of resistance against plant diseases. So GM crops are insect
resistant, virus resistant and herbicide tolerant.
3. What are the main issues of concern for human
health?
The safety assessment of GM foods generally
investigates: (a) direct health effects (toxicity), (b) tendencies to provoke
allergic reaction (allergenicity); (c) specific components thought to have
nutritional or toxic properties; (d) the stability of the inserted gene; (e)
nutritional effects associated with genetic modification; and (f) any
unintended effects which could result from the gene insertion.
4. Are GM foods safe?
Different GM organisms include different genes
inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their
safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible
to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods.
GM foods currently available on the international
market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for
human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a
result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries
where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the
Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring,
should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.
5. How are GM foods regulated nationally?
The way governments have regulated GM foods varies. In
some countries GM foods are not yet regulated. Countries which have legislation
in place focus primarily on assessment of risks for consumer health. Countries
which have provisions for GM foods usually also regulate GMOs in general,
taking into account health and environmental risks, as well as control- and
trade-related issues (such as potential testing and labelling regimes). In view
of the dynamics of the debate on GM foods, legislation is likely to continue to
evolve.
6. Why has there been concern about GM foods among
some politicians, public interest groups and consumers, especially in Europe?
Since the first introduction on the market in the
mid-1990s of a major GM food (herbicide-resistant soybeans), there has been
increasing concern about such food among politicians, activists and consumers,
especially in Europe. Several factors are involved.
In the late 1980s – early 1990s, the results of
decades of molecular research reached the public domain. Until that time,
consumers were generally not very aware of the potential of this research. In
the case of food, consumers started to wonder about safety because they
perceive that modern biotechnology is leading to the creation of new species.
Consumers frequently ask, “what is in it for me?”.
Where medicines are concerned, many consumers more readily accept biotechnology
as beneficial for their health (e.g. medicines with improved treatment
potential). In the case of the first GM foods introduced onto the European
market, the products were of no apparent direct benefit to consumers (not
cheaper, no increased shelf-life, no better taste). The potential for GM seeds
to result in bigger yields per cultivated area should lead to lower prices.
However, public attention has focused on the risk side of the risk-benefit
equation.
Consumer confidence in the safety of food supplies in
Europe has decreased significantly as a result of a number of food scares that
took place in the second half of the 1990s that are unrelated to GM foods. This
has also had an impact on discussions about the acceptability of GM foods.
Consumers have questioned the validity of risk assessments, both with regard to
consumer health and environmental risks, focusing in particular on long-term
effects. Other topics for debate by consumer organizations have included
allergenicity and antimicrobial resistance. Consumer concerns have triggered a
discussion on the desirability of labelling GM foods, allowing an informed
choice. At the same time, it has proved difficult to detect traces of GMOs in
foods: this means that very low concentrations often cannot be detected.
7. What is the state of public debate on GM foods in
other regions of the world?
The release of GMOs into the environment and the
marketing of GM foods have resulted in a public debate in many parts of the
world. This debate is likely to continue, probably in the broader context of
other uses of biotechnology (e.g. in human medicine) and their consequences for
human societies. Even though the issues under debate are usually very similar
(costs and benefits, safety issues), the outcome of the debate differs from
country to country. On issues such as labelling and traceability of GM foods as
a way to address consumer concerns, there is no consensus to date.
Most recently, the humanitarian crisis in southern
Africa has drawn attention to the use of GM food as food aid in emergency
situations. A number of governments in the region raised concerns relating to
environmental and food safety fears. Although workable solutions have been
found for distribution of milled grain in some countries, others have
restricted the use of GM food aid and obtained commodities which do not contain
GMOs.
8. Are people’s reactions related to the different
attitudes to food in various regions of the world?
Depending on the region of the world, people often
have different attitudes to food. In addition to nutritional value, food often
has societal and historical connotations, and in some instances may have
religious importance. Technological modification of food and food production
can evoke a negative response among consumers, especially in the absence of
good communication on risk assessment efforts and cost/benefit evaluations.
Genetically Modified Food
Agriculture and Food
How harmful is Genetic Engineering? Is relying on toxic chemicals the only way forward? Can 'business as usual' in agriculture provide food for the future?
Chemical-itensive agriculture is a problem that Greenpeace is campaigning to reduce. We work globally to promote food and agricultural techniques that are good for people and the planet.
Chemical-itensive agriculture is a problem that Greenpeace is campaigning to reduce. We work globally to promote food and agricultural techniques that are good for people and the planet.
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