Harms and benefits of GMO foods: should we give them up?

A few years ago, the abbreviation GMO made a lot of noise in the information space. At first, few people understood the exact definition of the words, and once they learned the meaning of the letters, it was difficult to decide whether such products would be beneficial or have a negative impact. Distrust was aroused by the fact that the human hand interfered in the natural process of growing plants and animals.

The controversy has not subsided to this day. Shoppers often bypass GMO labeling, thinking that products with altered DNA will have a negative impact on health. Is this really the case? What studies exist that prove the harmlessness of modified organisms? A nutriciologist shares his opinion.

What are GMOs?

Nutriciologist, member of the National Society of Nutritionists, member of the National Health League.

GMOs – genetically modified organisms – are products in which the genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. As a result, plants, microorganisms have acquired new properties or characteristics that were not inherent in their parents.

The main purpose of engineering was to improve the quality of products, yields, preservation. The new types of products developed in the laboratory were supposed to facilitate human labor, but man himself was wary of the benefits. To this day, the controversy around modified organisms continues unabated.

How does the public feel about GMOs?

Data from VTsIOM (All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion) states that almost 80% of Russians do not want to eat products of genetic engineering. Similar surveys have been conducted in other countries. The results were similar: 90% of Europeans and Americans surveyed were also negatively disposed towards GMOs.

Respondents believed that any, even if scientific, interference in the DNA of the body is unnatural, and consumption can cause mutations and diseases in humans.

What does science say about GMOs?

Attitudes toward GMO foods are debatable in scientific circles as well. There are several points of view, but most of the world’s major medical communities have not identified risks from altered organisms.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission, and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences all state that GMO foods that have passed appropriate safety assessments are not harmful to the human body.

A study published in the journal Critical Reviews in Biotechnology in 2019 reviewed more than 100 scientific papers and concluded that modified organisms do not pose a health risk.

This was also stated in a 2016 report by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The conducted results showed that the GMO crops eaten by humans and animals had no effect on their body condition.

However, scientists believe that more research is needed to assess the long-term effects of consuming foods with altered genes.

There are also concerns that they will have a negative impact on the environment. GMO plants may displace less adaptable and temperature-tolerant agricultural crops.

Despite the controversy, most are confident that genetically modified foods are the future. That’s because they yield higher yields, are resistant to climate change, are superior in flavor to selectively bred plants, and require less maintenance.

Labeling of GMO foods

Because consumers are concerned about the potential risks associated with GMO foods, a special warning label is printed on the labels of products containing the altered gene.

It is important to note that each country has different regulatory regulations and policies regarding the labeling of gene-altered products.

Some countries require mandatory labeling of GMO products, while other nations do not require these labels.

The safety of GMO products is regulated and monitored by the relevant authorities. They conduct risk assessments and require appropriate labeling. In Russia, Rospotrebnadzor is in charge of such control.

In a number of European countries and the USA, genetically modified organisms are allowed for sale and are widely used in agriculture. The import and cultivation of transgenic products is still prohibited in Russia.

Products that may contain GMOs

Today there are several types of products that are bred with the help of gene modification. They can be divided into two large groups: plant crops containing modified genes and raw materials processed from GMOs, for example, soybean curd, corn flakes, chips.

Often found and already consumed in food:

GMO vegetable oils from soy, corn, and canola.

Corn products: corn, both fresh and processed, cornmeal, corn starch, corn flakes.

Soy products: soybeans and soy-based products such as soy milk, soy tofu, soy sauce.

Cotton: some products that contain cotton, such as cottonseed oil, may be produced from modified organisms and used for animal feed.

Seafood: in some countries, fish feed used for aquaculture and fisheries may contain GMO ingredients.

Dairy products and meat: there are cases where animals are fed transgenic products and therefore their milk and meat may contain traces of GMOs.

If you have personal concerns or principled considerations about GMOs, you can exclude or limit their consumption in your diet. It is important to consult reliable sources of information and discuss your concerns with nutrition and medical experts.