Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

Abstract

As genetically modified (GM) foods are starting to intrude in our diet concerns have been expressed regarding GM food safety. These concerns as well as the limitations of the procedures followed in the evaluation of their safety are presented. Animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have shown that they may toxically affect several organs and systems. The review of these studies should not be conducted separately for each GM food, but according to the effects exerted on certain organs it may help us create a better picture of the possible health effects on human beings. The results of most studies with GM foods indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the hematological, biochemical, and immunologic parameters. However, many years of research with animals and clinical trials are required for this assessment. The use of recombinant GH or its expression in animals should be re-examined since it has been shown that it increases IGF-1 which may promote cancer.

Detection of genetically modified food in digesta and organs of rats fed transgenic potato

“…Although regulatory agencies issued precise frameworks for adoption of transgenic crops, concerns about the safety of transgenic products still remain (Walsh et al, 2011). Among the most discussable aspects of transgenic crops are toxicity and allergencity (Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2009). However, the risk of horizontal transfer of transgens from such products is also raised (Świątkiewicz et al, 2011).…”

The role of animal feeding trials for the nutritional and safety assessment of feeds from genetically modified plants – Present stage and future challenges

“…Table 11 contains further studies or reassessments of studies (e.g., Seralini et al, 2007;De Vendomis et al, 2009) with some disturbances and comments to the results. Nevertheless, despite of weaknesses of some studies (Table 11) some authors (e.g., Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2009) use the results uncritically and deduce health risks only from the application of genetically modified food/feed. Conflicting results in different studies indicate that there is a need for further research.…”

The Welfare of Transgenic Farm Animals

“…Human health concerns, as expressed for example in a February 2009 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, have largely been limited to the potential for growth hormones from genetically enhanced animals to promote human colon, breast, and prostate cancer (Dona & Arvanitoyannis, 2009). The physiological trade-off between productivity and immune function may pose a broader risk, however.…”