By Cecilia Liew

Genetically modified (GM) foods refer to crop plants that have been
genetically manipulated to contain gene from other sources.
For example, a plant geneticist may isolate a gene responsible for virus
resistance and insert that gene into a different plant, resulting in a
genetically modified plant that is virus resistance.

Not only can genes be transferred from plants to plants, but genes from
animals and micro-organisms also can be used.

In a recent survey to our local supermarkets, there has not been found any
food products labelled as ?GM?. However, a number of food products labelled
as ?No GM? or ?doesn?t not contain any GM properties? were found. This is
most likely to convince the consumers that the products are safe to eat
because they are not genetically modified, or was it because GM food is as
safe as the conventional products that they do not required special
labelling?

Eat or not to eat? Consumers should be aware of the pros and cons of GM food
before making the decision. Firstly, on the positive side, GM foods could
ensure an adequate food supply for our booming population which is predicted
to 12 billion people in the next 50 years.

This could be achieved by growing a pest resistance plant that can help
eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of
bringing a crop to market.

The impact of crop losses from insect pest can be enormous as they result in
financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Crop
plants genetically engineered to be resistance to herbicide and disease
could also help prevent environmental damage and increase yield.

Besides, creating plants that can withstand long periods of drought and high
salt content in soil could help farmers to grow crops in locations
previously unsuited for plant cultivation as more land is utilised for other
purpose to compensate the growth of world population. A genetically modified
crop could also help to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

For example, rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional
vitamins and minerals, while potatoes with increased starch content created
to make potato chips with better texture. In addition, GM food could be
potential pharmaceuticals ? edible vaccines, in replacing the traditional
costly injectable vaccines.

The release of GM food had generated much discussion about their potential
risks to the environment and human health. One possible risk is genetically
modified a crop might cause unintended harm to other organism, for example,
the caterpillars that eat the pollen containing pest resistance gene against
certain insects.

Another concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance might
cause gene transfer to non-target species as the result of cross-breeding
between the plants and weeds, resulting in ?superweed? that would be
herbicide tolerant as well. As for the effect on human health, the possible
risk is allergenicity.

There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may cause
allergic reaction in susceptible individuals and people may not be aware
that the GM food contains a new protein. Nevertheless, scientists still
believe that GM foods do not present a risk to human health as there have
not been any documented cases of illness caused by consumption of GM food.

Genetically modified food should have been assessed on their possible risks
to human health with strict experimental methods before they can be
commercialised.

As we saw, much discussion about the potential risks of GM food had been
generated ever since the release of Flavr Savr tomato in California, the
first GM food. Nevertheless, many concerns have been assuaged as the years
have passed and predicted disaster did not occur.

In the next decade we are likely to see many new agricultural products
created through genetic engineering. Because of their newness, GM foods have
raised concern about safety especially to human health. However, the wise
use of modern biotechnology should embrace safer and less-toxic agricultural
practices.

Genetically modified plants can contribute in positive ways towards
sustainable agriculture. On the other hand, consumer should be well informed
of the ?possible? risks of a certain GM food before making the decision. It
is then out to the consumer to decide whether to accept the GM food into
their meal; the same situation when deciding whether to take contraceptive
pill in spite of their possible side effects stated in the product?s
description list.

As for me, I would love to have a taste on GM food if consuming it would
mean saving the world?s hunger.

Cecilia Liew is a Biotechnology lecturer at Sedaya International College
Sarawak.
www.checkbiotech.org