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Transgenic products: harm to the body. Video
Potatoes, which the Colorado potato beetle avoids, tomatoes that do not suffer from late blight, apples, which contain twice as much nutrients. Previously, this could only be dreamed of, but today genetic engineers are successfully translating these dreams into reality. But consumers are gnawing at the question – are these transgenic products safe?
Transgenic foods: harm to the body
What are transgenic foods
Products that contain a fragment of foreign DNA are called transgenic. Thanks to this, the product receives new beneficial properties. Scientists increase the frost resistance of plants, as well as their resistance to pests, they make the fruits more juicy, they can achieve vitamins that have not been contained there before. Cows give more milk, pig meat becomes more tender.
If change were attempted through selection, methodically crossing carrots or peas with the right traits, it would take decades to achieve results. Geneticists managed to speed up this process
Are transgenic products harmful?
There is a worldwide debate over whether GMOs are harmful to humans. At the moment, there are no studies that would prove that genetically modified food causes pathological changes in the human body and leads to the development of any diseases. Each new plant variety or animal breed obtained by incorporating an alien genome undergoes a series of tests. By the way, the varieties obtained through conventional breeding are not subjected to such thorough research.
The assumption that a foreign gene is inserted into human DNA is nothing more than a myth. Every day, dozens of foreign genes found in ordinary food enter the human body. And if for all the millennia of the existence of mankind, no one has grown horns or hooves, no one has become foliated and purple, like an eggplant, it would be strange to expect such an effect from GMOs.
The main argument of opponents of GMOs is that at the moment it is not known how the use of genetically modified foods will affect people in 30-50 years. Transgenic food has become widespread only in the last five to six years. And although today scientists do not see any prerequisites for the development of unknown diseases, due to the use of GMOs, a theoretical probability is not excluded.
GMOs increase the risk of allergic reactions. For example, if a person with a peanut allergy eats a tomato that contains peanut DNA, the reaction will occur immediately.
How not to run into transgenic foods
However, if you do not want to join the wonders of genetic engineering, you are in your right. Since 2002, all products containing GMOs in Russia must be marked on the packaging. 90% of transgender products are corn and soybeans, most often imported from North America or Argentina. Also on the Internet you can find lists of food companies that use genetically modified raw materials.