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GM food – what is it?
A genetically modified food is one that consists of, contains, or is produced from genetically modified organisms. In these organisms, the genetic material has been changed by genetic engineering in order to give it the appropriate, desired characteristics.
GMO and human genetic material
Can a genetically altered food product affect our DNA? This is probably one of the most pressing questions in this regard. Well no. Each plant, also before the introduced modifications, has its own genetic material, which we also eat. Enzymes contained in our digestive tract digest the nucleotides that make up DNA. Both those that originally existed in a given organism and those implanted by genetic engineering. After eating genetically modified food, we will digest it like any other, we do not have to worry that it will negatively affect our genetic material.
Benefits of GM Food
Herbicide tolerance
Thanks to the introduced modifications, plants gain tolerance to herbicides (herbicides). This makes it possible to limit the use of chemical pesticides that pollute the environment. Moreover, fewer herbicides used reduce costs and, above all, the amount of chemicals on the plants intended for consumption.
Disease resistance
There are many viruses, bacteria and fungi that contribute to the occurrence of plant diseases. Biologists are working on introducing modifications to ensure resistance to these diseases. As a consequence, farmers would not be exposed to losses and consumers would not be exposed to the threat of microbes.
Tolerance of adverse conditions
Population growth in the world meant that most of the land, until now cultivated, has been allocated to residential areas. The modification of the plants allows them to tolerate long periods of drought as well as high salt content in the soil. By introducing a gene from coldwater fish into plants such as tobacco and potatoes, these plants can tolerate low temperatures. You can extend their cultivation to areas where the conditions are less favorable.
Good for the environment
The reduction of chemical pesticides polluting the environment, smaller acreage of crops, not changing the original ecosystem, are just some of the environmental benefits. Scientists modified poplars to remove heavy metal contamination from contaminated soil.
GMO in Poland
Poland’s position on the introduction of GMOs to cultivation has not changed over the years. The Polish government does not agree that GM food is grown by Polish farmers. However, is our market GMO-free? Not. According to the law in force in the European Union, this food is imported to our country. Of course, it must be clearly marked so that the consumer has the right to make a choice.
Where do these fears come from?
The impact of GMOs on humans and the environment has been studied by the European Commission for many years. Work on this subject in laboratories is supervised by both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Joint Research Center. Only thoroughly tested GM food reaches the market. Unfortunately, these negative reports of single, often unverified research conducted by scientists reach the public opinion more.
In fact, agriculture has always limited biodiversity in the environment. The introduction of GM crops is therefore not new in this respect. Strict control of genetically modified food means that we do not have to worry that it will negatively affect our health. The EU law, which strictly specifies the method of labeling GM food, allows individual choices to be made.
Photo from: SodanieChea via Foter.com / CC BY