GMO is not for nothing called the most popular and incomprehensible "horror story" of recent years. Some scientists from the TV screen argue that eating genetically modified foods can develop some kind of incurable disease, while others completely deny it.
The media made a lot of hype around GMOs. There is an opinion that products with an altered genome can cause significant harm to a person and his descendants. It is believed that GMOs are possibly:
- cause resistance to antibiotics, mutations;
- promote the formation of swellings;
- significantly increase the risk of food poisoning and allergies.
Antibiotic resistance
Most modern GMO crops have genes that enable them to resist antibiotics. They serve as a marker. There is a possibility that pathogenic bacteria will be able to take over this gene, making treatment more difficult. However, geneticists say that the antibiotics that genes work against have not been used for a long time to treat people, so there is no danger.
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity
GMOs can accumulate pesticides, herbicides, and their decomposition products. It is believed that as a result of this, they can become highly carcinogenic and mutagenic. For example, the herbicite glyphosate used in the cultivation of sugar beets can cause lymphoma.
This is true, but this can only happen with complete non-observance of all established procedures and norms for the cultivation of food products. Unfortunately, this also happens. For example, a batch of rice was registered containing biologically active substances that can provoke the development of cancer. However, this problem is very closely monitored.
Allergenicity
The presence of allergens in GMOs is one of the main arguments of opponents of such products, because it has been proven by many scientists. Indeed, the vast amount of proteins that provide plant resistance are allergenic and toxic to humans. For example, it is because of GMOs that many children in the United States are allergic to peanuts.
However, the most striking case is the analogue of tryptophan supplement from Showa Denko. The amino acid obtained with the help of genetic engineering has caused the death of 37 people, and in total about 1,500 were affected.
But this problem is being eliminated today. All products are subject to rigorous research and extensive testing to help identify deficiencies and dangers. Only after these tests do the products reach the shop windows. Although there is still a high probability of individual intolerance.
