Health Risks associated with GE Foods

New Allergens in the Food Supply

Genetic Engineering is imprecise and unpredictable. By inserting genes from organisms that have never been eaten as food, new proteins are introduced into the human and animal food chains. There is concern that these could cause allergic reactions or other health effects. In 1996, for example, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. (a seed company now owned by DuPont) developed a genetically engineered soybean using a gene from a Brazil nut to increase the protein content of its animal feed. Independent tests on the GE soybean revealed that people allergic to Brazil huts reacted to the engineered soybean.

Scientists are unable to predict whether a particular protein will be a food allergen if ingested by humans. A genetically engineered food supply is therefore a major gamble with human health.

Antibiotic Resistance

Many genetically engineered foods contain genes that code for resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Genes that encode antibiotic-resistance are used as "markers" to show which cells have taken up foreign genes. Though they have no further use, they remain present in plant tissue.

The presence of antibiotic genes in foods is a potential health risk. Genes for antibiotic resistance could be passed onto the bacteria in the guts of humans and animals, making antibiotics ineffective in the case of illness. Such a scenario would be very serious as hospitals are already reporting increased incidences of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Earlier this year, the British Medical Association called for a 5 year moratorium on genetically engineered crops, because of the possibility that they could foster antibiotic resistance.

Toxicity

Genetic engineering could also lead to toxicity of some foods. Genetic engineers have little control over where a gene is inserted or how many copies of that gene are inserted into the receiving organism. Modifying organisms at the genetic level can change the chemical composition of crops and foods. These changes in chemical composition –changes that are hard for scientists to predict – could lead to unexpected toxicity of the "novel" organism.