GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

Introduction Definition - food or food ingredients that are or are derived from organisms that have been modified through the use of modern biotechnology In form of processed food e.g. Tofu, soya oil, soya milk, flour syrup, etc

Differences Between GM Food &Traditional Food GM FoodTraditional Food Gene TransferWell-definedThousands of genes Species involved Across species barrier Within species EfficiencyLess time consuming Time consuming

Production of GM Food

Potential Benefits For Crops 1.Enhanced taste and quality 2.Reduced maturation time 3.Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance 4.Improved resistance to disease and pests 5.Generating new products

For Animals 1.Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency 2.Better yields of meat, eggs, and milk 3.Improved animal health and diagnostic methods

For Environment 1.Conservation of soil, water, and energy 2.Better natural waste management 3.More efficient processing

Potential Hazards 1.Unintended modification of similar species in the neighboring fields due to cross pollination 2.Upsetting the equilibrium of ecosystems 3.Development of super pests 4.Worrying about eating a food containing a gene that the eater should avoid due to religious, health or other reasons

5. Destroying the normal farming system 6. Interfering the normal DNA system 7. GM food cannot solve the problem of starvation, but widen the financial gaps between developed and developing countries

Examples

Conclusions Actually, there is no evidence shows that GM food results in food inherently less safe than that those produced by conventional techniques. Therefore, we need not worry so much about eating Gm food.