How to view the safety of genetically modified foods?

Opinions on the safety of genetically modified foods:

1. Nutritional evaluation

Genetically modified foods are all produced through exogenous gene expression to produce new varieties that are similar in appearance to the gene recipients, therefore. A basically equivalent analysis of the nutritional composition and chemical properties of conventional and genetically modified foods should be the first research task.

Nutritional evaluation mainly focuses on substances closely related to human health and nutrition such as proteins, starch, fiber, fat, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc., as well as antinutritional factors (phytic acid, protease inhibitors, tannins, etc.), and, if statistically significant differences are produced in comparison with conventional foods, due consideration should also be given to whether such differences are within the reference range.

2. Toxicological evaluation

Toxicological evaluation mainly includes the evaluation of exogenous gene expression products and the toxicological testing of whole foods. The evaluation of exogenous gene expression products is mainly through bioinformatics analysis.

Amino acid sequences were compared with those of known toxic proteins to see their homology, followed by simulated gastrointestinal fluid digestion and heat stability tests, and acute toxicity rodent tests. Depending on the expression product produced by the exogenous gene, it can be tested for acute toxicity, genotoxicity (triton test: sperm aberration test, bone marrow micronucleus test, and Ames test), and subchronic toxicity, as well as chronic toxicity, and immunotoxicity, if necessary.

Expanded Information:

< p>The origin of the safety issue

1. In the 1960s, Paul Berg spliced together the blunt ends of simian virus SV40 and fragments of E. coli DNA. The world's first recombinant DNA was created.

2. At the 1971 Cold Spring Harbor Conference, the experiment was terminated after RobeaPollack suggested that SV40 was an oncolytic virus that, when released into nature, could be a potential carcinogen.

3. This conference was the 1st to address the safety of recombinant DNA. The following year, the European Molecular Laboratory (EMBO) was devoted to discussing the potential hazards of recombinant technology.

3. On June 13, 1973, at the Gordon Conference in the United States, the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops was discussed, and some related recommendations were made.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia - Genetically Modified Foods