TRANSGENIC FOODS?

What are positives effects and

what are adverse effects for
human beings?
Food and Feed are generally derived
from plants and animals which have
been grown and bred by humans for
several thousand years.
Over time, these plants and animals
have undergone substantial genetic
changes as those with the most
desirable characteristics were chosen
for breeding the next generation.
 In recent times, it has become possible to
modify the genetic material of living cells and
organisms using modern gene transfer
technologies. Genes which cause expression of
desirable traits (eg modified starch production
and disease resistance in potato) were selected
from organisms, such as bacteria, and
transferred into plants, to alter their genetic
material (DNA) in order to produce these
desirable characteristics. 
 Microrganisms have been genetically
modified to produce new pharmaceutical
products, plants to produce pest and
disease resistance and animals (eg fish) to
grow more rapidly.
 All organisms modified in such way are

called genetically modified organisms

(GMOs). The food and feed which contains
or consist of such GMOs, or are produced
from GMOs, are called genetically modified
(GM) food or feed.
 The use of GMOs in food can offer benefits in
agricultural practices, food quality, nutrition and
health.
 In China the use of GM insect resistant cotton

has dramatically reduced the incidence of

pesticide poisoning amongst farmer workers.
 In the future it will also be possible to enhance
the nutritive value of crops by improving
desirable functional characteristics, such as
reduced allergenicity or toxicity as well as altered
protein or fat content and increased
phytochemical or nutrient content.
 Introducing a genetically modified
food product in the European market
is strictly regulated and is dependant
upon an extensive food safety
evaluation.
 GMOs have been widely cultivated since 1997,
and now over 60 million hectare are grown
worldwide. No adverse effects on human health
have been scientifically recorded in
commercialised GM foods, though there have
been unconfirmed reports from various sources,
some of which have been scientifically
investigated and found not to be associated with
GMOs.
THANKS!