GMOs and Your Health: Comprehensive Notes
GMOs and Your Health
What is a GMO?
A GMO (genetically modified organism) is a plant, animal, or microorganism with modified genetic material (DNA).
Modification involves specific changes to DNA, including the transfer of DNA from one organism to another.
This process is often referred to as genetic engineering.
Are GMO Foods Safe to Eat?
Yes, GMO foods are carefully studied before being sold to the public.
Studies ensure GMO foods are as safe as non-GMO foods.
Research indicates that GMOs do not affect consumers differently than non-GMO foods.
Do GMOs Affect Your Health?
GMO foods are as healthful and safe to eat as non-GMO counterparts.
Some GMO plants are modified to improve nutritional value e.g. GMO soybeans with healthier oils to replace trans fats.
Research since the 1990s has shown GMOs are as safe as non-GMO foods.
GMO plants fed to farm animals are as safe as non-GMO animal food.
Do GMOs Cause Allergies or Allergic Reactions?
No, most food allergies are caused by allergens in nine foods: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, sesame, and fish.
If you are allergic to traditional soy, you will be allergic to GMO soy, and vice versa.
Scientists test GMOs to ensure allergens aren't transferred from one food to another.
Research shows GMO foods are no more likely to cause allergies than non-GMOs.
Cancer Risk
GMO crops are not changed to increase cancer risk for humans or animals.
An analysis by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that cancer rate changes in the US are similar to Europe and the UK where less GMO food is consumed.
Cancer rates are not connected with eating GMOs.
Allergenicity Testing
The way GMOs are created allows scientists to know precisely which new proteins are produced in a plant.
Scientists perform tests to ensure these proteins are not allergens (allergenicity testing).
FDA regulations ensure that foods derived from GMOs must be as safe as non-GMOs.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a serious condition affecting the digestive system, caused by an immune response to gluten found in wheat, rye, and barley.
There is no GMO wheat, rye, or barley available for sale to consumers in the United States today. Thus, GMOs are not related to Celiac's disease.
Antibiotics and Steroids
GMO foods do not contain more antibiotic or steroid residues than non-GMO versions.
There is no connection between whether a food is GMO or non-GMO and antibiotic or steroid residues.
Future of Food Production
Scientists continue to develop foods with increased nutritional value or other useful traits.
Genome editing technologies like CRISPR are being explored for food modification.
Additional Information
For more information about GMOs, visit www.fda.gov/feedyourmind.