There is growing interest in growth in the market for functional and genetically modified foods. This type of food is ‘similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food that is consumed as part of a usual everyday diet. Many GM (genetically modified) foods have health benefits that, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and remove strains of allergen DNA found in popular foods such as peanuts. GM foods have been developed using fortification that uses modern agricultural biotechnology. However, applying lab methods of biotechnology to food production has shown to be hazardous for psychological and physical health. GM foods are a controversial topic and Western attitudes towards the subject tend to vary between different nations.
Recent …show more content…
Especially Europeans. In Europe their legal framework focusing on genetically modified foods and food regulations in general have three major requirements: first, all foods must “Protect human and animal health and the environment by introducing a safety assessment of the highest possible standards at EU level before any GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) is placed on the market.” Second, food must be “Put in place harmonized procedures for risk assessment and authorization of GMOs that are efficient, time- limited and transparent”. Finally, all GM foods must “Ensure clear labelling of GMOs placed on the market in order to enable consumers as well as professionals (e.g. farmers, and food feed chain operators) to make an informed choice.” Other Western attitudes and regulations are also based along these principles however, that does not mean that these rules are followed. According to National Geographic “Most people in the United States don 't even realize that they 've been eating genetically modified foods since the mid-1990s. More than 60 percent of all processed foods on U.S. supermarket shelves—including pizza, chips, cookies, ice cream, salad dressing, corn syrup, and baking powder—contain ingredients from engineered soybeans, corn, or canola.” That is a prime example of how well the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) informs it’s American …show more content…
In recent years health professionals have become alarmed by the number of bacterial strains that show up resistant to antibiotics. Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics by creating antibiotic resistance genes through natural mutations. In the early stages of the process scientists do not know if the target plant will incorporate the new gene into its genome (haploid set of chromosomes found in an organism). But “by attaching the targeted gene to an antibiotic resistance gene the new GM plant can be tested by being grown in a lab containing the appropriate antibiotic. If the plant survives scientists know that it has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene along with the targeted gene.” (greenfacts.org) There is an increase in concern that bacteria living in the guts of humans and animals could pick up an antibiotic resistance gene from a GM plant before the DNA becomes completely digested which could potentially turn out to be completely and utterly lethal for the infected
Recent …show more content…
Especially Europeans. In Europe their legal framework focusing on genetically modified foods and food regulations in general have three major requirements: first, all foods must “Protect human and animal health and the environment by introducing a safety assessment of the highest possible standards at EU level before any GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) is placed on the market.” Second, food must be “Put in place harmonized procedures for risk assessment and authorization of GMOs that are efficient, time- limited and transparent”. Finally, all GM foods must “Ensure clear labelling of GMOs placed on the market in order to enable consumers as well as professionals (e.g. farmers, and food feed chain operators) to make an informed choice.” Other Western attitudes and regulations are also based along these principles however, that does not mean that these rules are followed. According to National Geographic “Most people in the United States don 't even realize that they 've been eating genetically modified foods since the mid-1990s. More than 60 percent of all processed foods on U.S. supermarket shelves—including pizza, chips, cookies, ice cream, salad dressing, corn syrup, and baking powder—contain ingredients from engineered soybeans, corn, or canola.” That is a prime example of how well the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) informs it’s American …show more content…
In recent years health professionals have become alarmed by the number of bacterial strains that show up resistant to antibiotics. Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics by creating antibiotic resistance genes through natural mutations. In the early stages of the process scientists do not know if the target plant will incorporate the new gene into its genome (haploid set of chromosomes found in an organism). But “by attaching the targeted gene to an antibiotic resistance gene the new GM plant can be tested by being grown in a lab containing the appropriate antibiotic. If the plant survives scientists know that it has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene along with the targeted gene.” (greenfacts.org) There is an increase in concern that bacteria living in the guts of humans and animals could pick up an antibiotic resistance gene from a GM plant before the DNA becomes completely digested which could potentially turn out to be completely and utterly lethal for the infected