In this hi-tech era, even the food we consume can be modified according to our needs and requirements. With the advancement of science, Genetically Modified Foods are rapidly gaining popularity around the globe. The term GM foods or Genetically Modified foods denotes crops created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits like improved nutritional content or increased resistance to pests.
GM crops can be produced to be herbicide resistant which helps to kill the weeds without affecting the crop. Also GM rice with built-in Vitamin A that can help prevent blindness in millions of children in third world countries who suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.
Also, through genetic engineering, we can produce crops that will have a longer shelf life. For example tomatoes that softens more slowly can be developed. Likewise potatoes that absorb less fat when fried, and many other resistant crops can be developed.
As genetically modified foods are starting to intrude in our diet, questions regarding their safety is of growing concern. However, the unknown effects of GM crops on human health is a major issue. Many of them may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health.
Especially babies are more vulnerable to developing allergies. Children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There also is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. Also, animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have shown that they may toxically affect several organs and systems.
If you look at it from a purely commercial view, the benefits are many, however outside that, the perils of genetically modified foods are multi-dimensional. They include the creation of new "transgenic" life forms - organisms that cross unnatural gene lines which have unpredictable behavior or replicate themselves out of control in the wild. Mutations may also be able to travel internally to other cells, tissue systems and organs throughout the human body.
In short, further studies are needed to assess the potential risks of GM foods even though the technology promises many benefits.
Source: India Syndicate
