Genetically modified foods might have both good and bad sides. However a foolproof regulatory mechanism could erase its bad sides to a significant extent. Discuss
Genetically modified foods might have both good and bad sides. However a foolproof regulatory mechanism could erase its bad sides to a significant extent. Discuss
Genetically modified foods:
- They involve taking genes (DNA) from different organisms and inserting them in food crops for the purpose of enhancing its productivity or increasing its immune power or nutritional and aesthetic values.
Advantages:
- Food supplies become predictable, reducing the presence of food deserts around the world.
- Nutritional content can be improved.
- Can provide medicinal benefits to some extent.
- Have longer shelf life which enables them to transport longer distances.
- They are more appealing to eat.
Disadvantages:
- Independent and country specific safety trials have not been conducted in most cases.
- can lead to risks such as toxicity, allergic reactions, and nutritional and unintended impacts.
- Some genetically modified foods may present a carcinogen exposure and other health risks.
- Could result in a threat to our biodiversity due to spillage of undesirable genes.
Issues with regulations:
- There has been no Indian scientific study carried out so far to study the impact of GM crops on human health.
- It has not been scientifically proven that GM crops have no adverse impact on human health.
- There is a concern that Safety of GM crops and products has been a matter of concern for human health.
- Risk assessment on a case by-case basis is critical for a country-level decision to allow or restrict GM foods because various GMOs have different genes, which are inserted in multiple ways.
- Also, studies used to evaluate the risk must take into account different populations and geographies.
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