GMO Foods and Epidemiology: Key Concepts and Regulations

What does GMO stand for?

Genetically Modified Organism.

What is the purpose of modifying GMOs?

To express desired traits or eliminate undesired traits.

What is an example of a GMO that has disease resistance?

Rainbow papaya, engineered for resistance to the ringspot virus.

What is Golden rice engineered to combat?

Vitamin A deficiency.

What percentage of Americans believe GMOs are more harmful to health than conventional foods?

Approximately 50%.

What must new proteins introduced by GMOs be evaluated for?

Allergenicity and toxicity.

What does GRAS stand for?

Generally Recognized As Safe.

What is the FDA's timeline for evaluating GMO applications?

120 days.

What significant event did the Starlink Corn incident highlight?

The consequences of GMO labeling and safety concerns.

What is the main criticism of the current GMO labeling law in the US?

It lacks transparency, requiring consumers to scan QR codes for information.

Which federal standard was established to unify GMO labeling across states?

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.

What is the precautionary principle applied by the EU regarding GMOs?

Allows for political action when scientific evidence is deemed insufficient.

What are Culture Independent Detection Techniques (CIDT)?

Methods that allow for faster detection of pathogens but do not produce isolates for further testing.

What is one recommendation for food handlers to prevent foodborne transmission?

Do not prepare food when ill.

How can implementing hygiene standards impact foodborne illnesses?

It can reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses.

What is the importance of rapid response in outbreak identification?

It lowers incidences of illness due to timely recalls.