Genetically modified foods: benefits, risks, and regulatory considerations

GMO

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

Risks and Perceptions Analysis of Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically modified foods have the potential of solving many of the issues that are present in respect to feeding the world's population; especially as it grows to an estimate nine billion by the end of the century. The technologies can create crops that are able to resist certain insects and are more suitable to grow in less than ideal environmental conditions. However, on the other hand, there are some real and perceived risks that are associated with these technological developments. There seems to be a general perception of skepticism regarding the safety of gene technology and the fears of potential negative implications that these modifications could produce rest in the collective consciousness of the public. This brief synthesis will consider a few of the factors that are associated with the continued use and development of genetically modified foods.

GMOs

Currently transgenic crops or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the most highly regulated foods in the world and covers a broad range of different products (DeFrancesco, 2013). Many of these products have been on the market for more than a decade and been consumed by millions of people without any adverse effects being identified. There doesn't seem as if there have been any ill effects on the products that have been around for some time. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the effects are difficult to determine or that new product developments could carry different risks. Furthermore there are also certain risks that are relevant to the environment rather than the consumers.

One potential risk is the movement of genetic information from one organism to another that occurs outside the realm of normal reproduction. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) T. is often used to refer to all forms of gene transfer that do not involve parent to-offspring transfer (sexual or asexual) and it can occur either naturally or by human intervention (e.g. gene technology, embryo rescue, in vitro fertilization, protoplast fusion, self-cloning) (Keese, 2008). Due to these mechanisms, a gene that was designed to be used in a controlled situation, such as in a genetically engineered crop that cannot reproduce naturally, can be released into the environment and could have potential impacts upon the natural systems. However, these risks are generally considered negligible to human health and the environment (Keese, 2008).

Beyond the actual risks that might be inherent in the use of the technology, the perceived risks from the public are likely far greater. Despite for the potential for these innovative biotechnologies being able to meet the needs of the world's growing food demands, there is a considerable amount of perceived risks that are present in many different civilizations. The fact that perceived risk is a highly significant factor in shaping consumer behavior is widely accepted and this is significant because consumer GM food purchasing behavior has been tied to the effects of perceived risk (Cabuk & Tanrikulu, 2014).