What Is Genetically Modified Foods?
Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
These modifications are made to introduce desirable traits such as resistance to pests, herbicides, or harsh environmental conditions, improved nutritional content, or enhanced growth rates.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become a significant part of the food supply in many parts of the world.
Some of the most commonly grown Genetically modified foods include:
- Corn:
- GM corn is engineered for traits like insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. It’s widely used in animal feed, processed foods, and biofuels.
- Soybeans:
- GM soybeans are primarily modified for herbicide resistance. They are a key ingredient in animal feed, vegetable oils, and many processed foods.
- Cotton:
- GM cotton is developed to resist pests and reduce the need for chemical insecticides. Cottonseed oil, derived from GM cotton, is used in food products like margarine and salad dressings.
Concerns and Controversies:
- Health Risks:
- While numerous studies have confirmed the safety of GMOs, some people remain concerned about potential long-term health effects. Rigorous testing and regulatory approval processes aim to ensure that GM foods are safe for consumption.
- Environmental Impact:
- There are concerns about the potential impact of GMOs on biodiversity and the environment. The development of herbicide-tolerant crops, for example, has led to increased herbicide use, which can affect non-target plants and animals.
- Ethical and Socioeconomic Issues:
- The use of GMOs raises ethical questions about the ownership and control of genetic resources. Critics argue that GMOs can lead to corporate monopolies in agriculture, reducing farmers’ autonomy and increasing their dependence on seed companies.
- Labeling and Consumer Choice:
- There is ongoing debate about the labeling of GMO foods. Some consumers demand transparency and the right to know whether their food contains GMOs, while others argue that mandatory labeling might imply that GMOs are inherently unsafe.
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EXPLORING MORE ON Genetically modified (GM) foods
The Executive Director, Center For Food Security & Agricultural Research PROF. QRISSTUBERG AMUA
During and interview on channelsTV gave his insights on Genetically modified (GM) foods.
The interviewer Setting and example with banana, said the previous banana which used to be eaten many years back has seed in it, but right now due to the Genetically Modified food system Bananas are now seedless.
Getting to the point PROF. QRISSTUBERG AMUA clarified the difference between GMO and Hybridization, Where he said;
in a Natural environment plant crops hybridize which is a natural process. Hybridization happens naturally through the natural evolutionary process or by farmers/breeders who apply align with the natural processes to aid the crops they plant to hybridize which is the reason why some plants after many years change in their nature.
To clear air on the the augment that; everyone has eaten GMO foods so why people are rising alarm?
To break this down, The Professor said essentially
Everyone is what He/she Eats” where he said the mass of the body is as a result of the process of biochemical change of the food eaten into the tissue.
PROF. QRISSTUBERG AMUA clearly stated that the impact GMO should be interrogated because it has some questionable consequences.
Pointing that there are hundreds of scientific publications proven in established journals, proving the negative relationship of the impact of GMOs on human and animal health.
PROF. QRISSTUBERG AMUA made reference to a popular report by PROF. Lini from Italy who proved and demonstrated how they ingest feeding rats with Genetically Modified maize and it caused testicular tumors which caused cancer in those rats.
Hitting a point on the use of herbicides PROF. QRISSTUBERG made an example with a herbicide known as atrazine which was used around the environment and was causing change of sex in amphibians in water.
He said that some companies who used to produce herbicides now transformed into producing GMOs. Talking on how the process of genetic modification incorporates some herbicides Prof Called out a very popular market named herbicide that is popular across Africa in Nigeria used by many farmers, the herbicide is called Round UP.
This chemicals have high phtotoxicity which makes it toxic to the extend of destroying both plants and weeds, this company now came up with the idea of modifying the crops so that they can withstand the impact of those toxic herbicides, and now famers make use of those toxic herbicides and pumping it into the environment, and environmentally when rain falls there will be run-off that will wash down and the residue into surface water and some will be infiltrated into the ground waters and the ends up in human bodies because people drink water, some of it is absorbed through the vascular tissues of the plant and people will eat those crops.
ON GMOs CAUSING JUVENILE DIABETES..
PROF. QRISSTUBERG Said;
If you go to the hospitals now, the graph for cases of juvenile diabetes is climbing. Before now diabetes type-2 was not a disease of children, before now hypertension was not a disease for children but its now rampant.
ON GMOs CAUSING CANCER
PROF. QRISSTUBERG Said researchers in Southern America (Argentina) have proven that this GMOs have direct link with Cancer .
he made an example with TELA MAIZE that was released for commercial planting in Nigeria where he pointed a factor.
Were he said, Researchers are asking the federal Government authorities to show the research that prove that the GMO product (TELA maize) safe before approving it for commercial proliferation.
PROF cleared that research should be done by the person who is introducing the TELA maize to prove to the consumer that it is safe for consumption, he pointed that instead of doing that, the proprietary companies that are pushing this organism’s said that its a thread secret which they cant reveal .
PROF. QRISSTUBERG suggested that what need to be done scientifically is for Regulatory agencies to demand for information’s from the manufactures because TELA maize is a patented seed which was worked by someone through patented technologies, secondly the Regulatory agencies should make the report information’s avilable to Nigerian consumers.
Regulatory Oversight:
Regulatory agencies like the NAFDAC in Nigeria, USDA, and EPA in the United States, and the EFSA in Europe, ensure the safety of GMOs through comprehensive assessments. These bodies evaluate potential health and environmental impacts before approving GMOs for the market.
More On Genetically modified foods
GMFs represent a significant advancement in agricultural technology, offering potential benefits such as increased yields, improved nutrition, and environmental sustainability. However, they also come with concerns that warrant careful consideration. By understanding the science and regulatory processes behind GMOs, consumers can make informed choices about their food.