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Genetically Engineered Foods

What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering is a modern form of biotechnology - a broad term describing processes such as cross-breeding, plant hybridization and fermentation.

While biotechnology has been used by humans for thousands of years, genetic engineering is a relatively new and rapidly developing technology that is raising public concern.  Genetic engineering focuses on the manipulation (blocking, adding, or scrambling) of the genetic material (the DNA) inside the cells of living organisms to block or add desired traits.

Examples of Genetic Engineering

Anti-sense technology:  A gene controlling a trait is blocked.  Example tomato with delayed ripening for fresher flavor.

Recombinant DNA: microorganism to plant: Transfer of genetic material from a bacterium into cells of plants.  Example: Insect resistant corn plants and pesticide resistant soybeans.

Recombinant DNA: human to animal: Human genes inserted into pigs to produce human hemoglobin.

Recombinant DNA: animal to plant: Fish genes inserted into plants to increase tolerance to cold. 

Why use Genetic Engineering?

Proponents of genetic engineering claim many potential benefits of this new technology.  Current medical applications include genetically engineered human insulin, human growth hormone, gene probes to detect genetic diseases, Hepatitis B vaccine, monoclonal antibodies to diagnose infections, and tissue plasminogen activator to dissolve blood clots.  Some of the more controversial applications of genetic engineering are in the area of food production.  The promised benefits of genetically engineered food production include:

• Reduced use of pesticides
• Reduced use of herbicides
• Reduced use of fertilizers
• Enhanced nutrition
• Drought resistance
• Better appearance
• Longer shelf-life
• Better flavor
• Temperature resistance
• Disease resistance
• Increase in food supply.  Decrease in world hunger.

What are the potential risks?

Opponents of genetic engineering raise concerns about the safety and ethics of creating novel organisms as well as the impact that genetic engineering will have on the environment

Specific concerns include:

• Lack of long term studies on food safety.
• Lack of long term studies on environmental impact.
• Diminished opportunity for organic/sustainable agriculture
• Potential risk of rendering Bacillius thuringiensis (Bt), a natural biological pesticide, useless due to widespread use of Bt-engineered crops.
• Potential life threatening danger for individuals with food allergies or sensitivities who might unknowingly ingest altered foods to which they are allergic, sensitive, or intolerant.
• New genetic structure of foods might result in new allergens.
• Toxicity levels of naturally occurring food toxins might result in new allergens.
• Toxicity levels of naturally occurring food toxins might inadvertently be altered.
• Cruelty to animals.
• Unacceptability of creating novel organisms that would not occur through traditional means of reproduction (crossing plants and animals or unrelated species of animals).
• Environmental damage due to cross pollination and disturbed ecosystems.
• Pesticide tolerance.
• Herbicide tolerance
• Ethical and spiritual concerns.

What food products have been or are being developed with genetic engineering?

• Milk and other dairy products from cows administered rBGH, a genetically engineered growth hormone.
• Soybean, tomato, corn, and canola plants that withstand herbicide application.
• Corn, tomatoes & potatoes with built in pesticides.
• Potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, cucumber, corn, canola, soybeans & grapes manipulated to resist plant viruses.
• Peppers and tomatoes engineered to resist plant fungi
• Tomatoes, peas, peppers and tropical fruits manipulated to extend shelf life and improve processing quality.
• Corn, sunflower, and soybeans engineered to contain altered levels of nutrients.
• Canola and peanuts with altered lipid profiles.
• Coffee beans with altered caffeine content.
• Potatoes that absorb less oil when fried.
• Corn and peas engineered for a prolonged shelf life.
• Various enzymes (proteins that sped up biological processes) used to make beer, wind, fruit juice, sugar, oil, baked goods and more.
• Genetically engineered rennet  for making cheese.

Is there any way to know if our food has been genetically altered?

Not unless a labeling system is adopted.  Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doe snot require labeling of genetically engineered foods except when:

• The new genetically engineered food is nutritionally different from the non-genetically engineered versions.
• The characteristics of the food differ significantly form what is normally expected (e.g., the introduction of allergens or toxins).

Why are labels important?

With labeling, public health officials will be able to trace the cause and course of any unforeseen public health problem caused by the introduction of genetically altered foods (such as the outbreak of Eosinophila Myalgia Syndrome linked with a genetically engineered brand of amino acid supplement L-trypotophan in 1989).

Labeling of genetically engineered food will enable consumers to avoid products produced in manners contradictory to religious, spiritual and/or ethical beliefs.

Consumers simply have a right to chose for themselves between genetically engineered and non-genetically engineered products.

What are people doing?

Concerned people and some health food stores (namely WHOLE FOODS MARKET) has been informing others since 1992.  They advocated mandatory labeling and encouraged others to write the FDA and other manufacturers to express their concerns.   Whole Foods Markets avoid genetically engineered foods.   

What can you do?

Let the FDA and your favorite manufacturers know how you feel about genetic engineering of our food supply.  Tell them you would like to make an informed choice of whether or not to purchase foods that have been genetically modified.

You can write to :

Jane E. Henney, M.D.
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
500 Fishers Lane, Room 1471
Rockville, MD   20857

Dan Glickman
Secretary of Agriculture
US Department of Agriculture
200 A. Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C.  20250

You can also write to your Congressman or your state's Food and Drug Division.    To locate your Senators/Representatives call 202-224-3121.

To contact manufacturers, look for their complete address printed on the product packaging.

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