Food safety is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to the issue of hazards associated with genetically modified foods. Various investigation and development of genetically modified foods have been going on for over two decades. The first extensive planting of genetically modified crops was in 1996 and the first genetically modified food approved for human consumption was the Flavor Savor tomato.
Genetically modified foods are defined as foods produced from plants or animals whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering. This is usually done to increase the overall food production and quality.However, genetically modified foods have an exciting history, and their advancement has experienced speedy growth over the last decade. Within all the history, there has been a great deal of deliberation and argument about the benefits and risks of GM foods and the production process. Given the current situation around GM foods, the controversy will likely continue for some time as well. However,there’s a broad, plausible scientific consensus that the genetically modified foods currently on the market pose no more of a health risk than regular foods.
Genetically modified (GM) crops have many potential advantages in terms of raising agricultural productivity and reducing the need for environmentally harmful pesticides. They might also pose hazards to human health, from toxicity and increased risk of allergies. Genetically modified foods are characterized by increased resistance to pests and disease, increased adaptability to environmental conditions, improved flavor or nutritional profile, delayed ripening, or increased shelf life.
In contrast,research gathered by a group of physicians called the American Academy of Environmental Medicine substantiated that lab animals fed with genetically modified foods suffered from signs of premature aging,reproductive disorders,immune imbalance, gastrointestinal problems,organ damage,insulin and cholesterol disorders. Therefore,it is imperative to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified foods. The American government should strictly regulate the consumption of genetically modified foods because GM foods can lead to preventable and expensive health issues such as reproductive disorders, immune imbalance,gastrointestinal disorders and even organ damage.
