Information Bulletin
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
concerns regarding the safety of GMO foods What is GMO? include issues associated with gene transfer GMOs are organisms whose DNA has been and with allergenicity. altered by genetic engineering. When scientists generate GMOs, they combine existing pieces of Gene transfer: DNA in new ways to give an organism new • Gene transfer is the insertion of new DNA into characteristics. In most cases, GMOs are a cell. The transfer of antibiotic resistant created by introducing genes from other genes from genetically modified foods to organisms. For example, Rice Grassy Stunt Virus bacteria in the gut has been raised as a (RGSV) has been virtually eliminated from rice concern. production in Southeast Asia through the introduction of rice cultivars with a gene • The frequency of gene transfer from plants to resistant to RGSV. bacteria is extremely low. As a result, the potential health risks associated with gene How is a GMO developed? transfer from GMO foods to gut bacteria are negligible. As well, humans consume naturally The development of genetic engineering occurring antibiotic resistant microorganisms techniques has changed how breeders and with no known negative effects. scientists select positive characteristics, or traits. For thousands of years, the way to Allergenicity: encourage a particular trait in an animal or plant • Non-allergenic foods could potentially was through selective breeding which involves become allergenic as a result of the transfer breeding organisms with beneficial traits in of genes from commonly allergenic foods. order to produce offspring with those traits. Radiation and chemicals were, and are still, used • Allergenicity standards for GMO foods are to encourage mutation and produce novel traits. higher than for traditionally developed foods, Those novel traits judged as beneficial are then which are not tested for allergenicity. bred into the population. The end products of • Protocols for testing genetically modified these established techniques are not considered foods have been evaluated by the Food and to be ‘GMOs’. Agriculture Association of the United Nations By using genetic engineering to create GMOs, (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO); scientists can identify genes that code for useful no allergic effects have been found related to traits and directly manipulate those genes, genetically modified foods currently on the leading to specific outcomes more quickly than market. the techniques described above. /over Are GMOs safe? In Canada there is no overall approval process for the technique of genetic engineering. Rather, the safety of each genetically engineered product is evaluated individually. Specific
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What GMO crops are available The economic benefits of GMOs include increased productivity for farmers and the today? elimination of the effects of some plant The most common genetically modified crops diseases. These benefits are not achieved grown around the world are herbicide - and without costs and risks. The GMO industry is insect - resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, canola dominated by a small number of large firms and alfalfa. The majority of the cotton, corn and which can impede innovation and contribute to soybeans planted in the US (>90%) are the high cost of GMO seeds. Farmers who adopt genetically engineered. GMO products can face economic uncertainty In Canada, herbicide resistant canola is grown through trade sanctions imposed by on about 80% of the acreage in western Canada, governments opposed to GMOs. with exports valued at more than $3 billion. The environmental benefits of GMOs include the Herbicide resistant crops are designed to decreased use of chemical insecticides on tolerate specific broad-spectrum herbicides, insect resistant crops; decreased greenhouse which kill the surrounding flora, but leave the gas emissions from crops engineered to cultivated crop intact. Other genetically produce less methane; water conservation engineered crops grown in Canada include corn, through drought resistant crops; and reduced soybean and beets. And, in May of 2016, Health food waste through GMO fruit and vegetables Canada approved the sale of genetically that bruise less easily and can be stored for modified Atlantic salmon. longer. There are, however, many associated To date, over 82 genetically modified foods have risks. Many GMO crops are closely related to been approved for sale in Canada. This includes and cross-compatible with weeds, to which different varieties of the same type of food, such modified genes can be transferred through as multiple varieties of canola, and products cross-pollination. The transfer of modified genes which are not currently available in stores. confers GMO benefits, such as herbicide resistance, on weeds. Cross-pollination can also Some estimates indicate that as many as 30,000 contaminate non-GMO crops growing in different products on grocery store shelves proximity to GMO crops. Other unanticipated contain genetically modified ingredients. Many effects on the environment are emerging, with processed foods contain soy, corn syrup and potential but unknown consequences for other derivatives of the common GMO crops ecosystems. listed above. Even ‘non-GMO label’ processed food products can contain small amounts of The societal benefits of GMOs include improved genetically engineered material. nutrition for those lacking a diverse diet. For example, Golden Rice is a GMO that was Can genetically engineered products developed to produce beta-carotene, a precursor be detected? of Vitamin A. Food supply will be a constant It is not possible to reliably determine whether concern in the future, with the UN estimating an organism has been genetically engineered. that food production will have to double to meet That is particularly true for genetic engineering global human demand by 2050. Innovative techniques that involve the ‘knock out’ or strategies will be required and these will likely silencing of existing genes. GMO labelling include some form of GMOs. therefore requires tracing through the supply /over chain, which can be very complex for processed foods with multiple ingredients.
Ethical Issues GMOs promise a number of economic, environmental and societal benefits. But, as with any new technology, there are concerns about the development of GMOs and their impact on the environment and society and how such risks and benefits are considered.
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More Information and Resources Impact of Genetically Engineered Crops on Farm Sustainability in the United States, National Academy of Sciences.
Visit genomebc.ca to learn more.
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