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Genetically modified foods

BMJ 2008; 336 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0805188 (Published 01 May 2008) Cite this as: BMJ 2008;336:0805188
  1. Ketaki Bhate, fifth year medical student1
  1. 1Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ

Although the long term risks are unknown, says Ketaki Bhate, consumers should have a choice

The rapid acceleration of technology combined with intense business rivalry has improved the lifestyles of consumers tremendously. But the introduction of genetic modification in the food industry has raised serious political, social, economic, and ethical questions. And having been brought up with the notion that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, I find myself wondering if this is still the case.

Worldwide food shortage

As the current global shortage of maize and wheat causes prices to soar, food manufacturers are turning to genetically modified crops. The price of maize, for example, has tripled in the past two years. The rises have provoked riots in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Haiti, and Thailand. The shortage is caused by growers switching to more profitable crops for biofuels, growing populations, extreme weather, and ecological stress.

Previously manufacturers paid a premium for conventionally grown staples to avoid consumers' backlash but cannot now afford to be so choosey. Acceptance of genetically modified foods by consumers may accelerate their development, which might bring benefits to poor countries.

Genetic modification

The transfer of genetic information from one organism, such as a plant, to another is called genetic modification, and this can lead to plants with more vitamins or plants that are more resistant to herbicides. Initially, genetic manipulation enabled farmers to use alternative solutions to pesticides and to delay ripening.

In subsequent years the technology enabled foods with lower fat content to be produced. The nutritional value and the absence of potentially toxic herbicides, in the short term, is perceived to be beneficial to the consumer.w1 The technology for genetic modification is evolving, and it will become used more in animals and fish.w2w3

The importance of agriculture

Arguably, the economic …

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