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Genetically Modified Foods: Does GM foods affect Human Health, Culture and Biological
Diversity?
The development of genetically modified (GM) food has been a matter of considerable interest
worldwide but at the same time stirred public controversy. The ‘uncertainties’, ‘risks’ and
‘benefits’ of genetically modified (GM) technologies have been widely disseminated to the food
industry and consumers (Costa-Font et al., 2008). A number of commercialized, genetically
engineered (GE) varieties, most notably canola, cotton, maize and soybean, are created using
Genetic engineering technology. This technology provides a means to introduce genes into plants
via mechanisms that are different in some respects from classical breeding (Lemaux, 2009). GM
foods are typically products that are consumed daily e.g., GM milk, and tomato (Costa-Font, et al.,
2008). Crop-loss, which can threaten food security of poor subsistence farmers, can be averted to
a large degree by cultivating GM crops, but at the same time, it is equally important to look at
whether these foods have negative social and environmental impacts. In terms of GM crop’s
impact on biological diversity, there is a concern that the introduction of non-native plant species
and the release of genetically modified (GM) crops can induce environmental changes at gene to
ecosystem levels (Bartz, et al., 2010). Studies vary from having inconclusive findings (Dunfield
and Germida, 2004) to having no negative impacts (Sanvido et al., 2007) to GM crops having
severe negative impact on biodiversity (Watkinson et al., 2000). Watkinson et al. (2000) simulated
the effects of the introduction of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops on weed
populations and
the consequences for seed-eating birds. They predict that weed populations
might
be reduced to low levels or practically eradicated, depending
on the exact form of management.
Likewise, effects on the local
use of fields by birds might also be severe, because such reductions
represent a major loss of food resources. On contrary, review of substantial scientific data from
the last ten years on the environmental effects of the currently commercialized GM by Sanvido et

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al. (2007) reveal that the cultivation of the presently commercialized GM crops has caused
environmental harm. Hence, the jury is still out on the impact of GM crops on biological diversity.
When it comes to health impacts, although the vast majority of studies have shown no health
concerns/risk of GE food products, there are few reports that have raised concerns regarding the
potential horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance markers (ARMs), the ingestion of ‘foreign’
DNA and the potential non-expected alterations in nutritional composition, allergenicity and
toxicity of the new GE food products (Batista et al., 2009). Animal toxicity studies have revealed
that certain GM foods may have toxic effects on several organs and systems. It might cause some
common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the
hematological, biochemical, and immunologic parameters (Artemis et al., 2009).
As far as impact of GM crops and foods on culture is concerned, it might be too early to conclude
its long-term impact on culture. Even in relatively well educated western countries in Europe,
people seem to be fairly ignorant about GM foods. Finucane et al. (2005) conducted a study to
provide an overview of the socio-psychological and cultural factors that play an important role in
public perceptions of the risk of GM food. They examined differences in the cultural values and
circumstances of people in the US, European countries, and the developing world. Evidence of
Europeans’ perception of their own lack of knowledge about GM products was apparent in the
1996 Eurobarometer. A large percentage answered ‘‘Don’t Know’’ to questions about the
applications of biotechnologies while fifty-one percent said they had never talked with anyone
about biotechnology before. Around 80% of respondents to the 1999 Eurobarometer said they were
‘‘insufficiently informed’’ about biotechnology. Non-European surveys also point to unknown
risk as an important element of perceptions of GM food. A Food Market Institute survey conducted
in 19951996 found US consumers less aware of biotechnology than in 1992. Awareness of

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Genetically Modified Foods: Does GM foods affect Human Health, Culture and Biological Diversity? The development of genetically modified (GM) food has been a matter of considerable interest worldwide but at the same time stirred public controversy. The ‘uncertainties’, ‘risks’ and ‘benefits’ of genetically modified (GM) technologies have been widely disseminated to the food industry and consumers (Costa-Font et al., 2008). A number of commercialized, genetically engineered (GE) varieties, most notably canola, cotton, maize and soybean, are created using Genetic engineering technology. This technology provides a means to introduce genes into plants via mechanisms that are different in some respects from classical breeding (Lemaux, 2009). GM foods are typically products that are consumed daily e.g., GM milk, and tomato (Costa-Font, et al., 2008). Crop-loss, which can threaten food security of poor subsistence farmers, can be averted to a large degree by cultivating GM crops, but at the same time, it is equally important to look at whether these foods have negative social and environmental impacts. In terms of GM crop’s impact on biological diversity, there is a concern that the introduction of non-native plant species and the release of genetically modified (GM) crops can induce environmental changes at gene to ecosystem levels (Bartz, et al., 2010). Studies vary from having inconclusive findings (Dunfield and Germida, 2004) to having no negative impacts (Sa ...
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