This document summarizes the potential positive and negative health impacts of genetically modified foods. Positively, GM foods can improve agricultural performance and yields, increase shelf life and nutritional content of foods. However, there are also risks like allergenicity if genes from allergenic foods are used, and concerns about horizontal gene transfer of DNA fragments from GM foods to gut bacteria or cells. Outcrossing of GM genes to conventional or wild crops is another issue. While some studies link GM foods to cancer or antibiotic resistance, more research is still needed to make conclusions about health and safety. The environmental impacts on non-target organisms also require further investigation.

1. DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
SUBJECT – BIOETHICS AND BIOSAFETY
PAPER CODE – MLB-304
TOPIC – HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF GENETICALLY
MODIFIED FOODS
SUBMITTED TO – DR. SONIYA KASLIWAL
SUBMITTED BY – MANJUNATH A T

2. INTRODUCTION
 Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose
genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur
naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.

4. Positive impacts of genetically modified foods
 Improved agricultural performance with less labor input and less cost
input .
 Foods with a greater shelf life, like tomatoes that taste better and last
longer .
 Disease and herbicide resistance.
 Improved nutritional content.
 It can produce more in small area of land.
 It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically
increased yields.

6. Negative impacts of GMO FOODS
Allergenicity:
GM foods have the potential to cause allergic reactions in general; this
risk is comparable to the risks associated with traditionally grown foods.
The proteins produced by any newly introduced genes have the potential
to cause an additional allergic response.
To prevent such allergenicity, the transfer of genes from commonly
allergenic foods is discouraged unless it can be proven that the protein
produced by the introduced gene will not be allergenic.

7. Also, tests are conducted to examine the heat and digestive
stability of these proteins, and any similarity to known
allergenic proteins.
It is important to note that the traits that are introduced into a
particular plant may be new to that plant but are often found
naturally in other plants

8. Gene transfer
 Another potential concern arising from GE foods is the transfer of genetic
material from GE foods to the cells of the human body or the bacteria in
the intestinal tract.
 DNA from ingested food is not completely degraded by digestion and
small fragments of DNA from GM foods have been found in different parts
of the gastrointestinal tract.
 This could result in horizontal gene transfer due to absorption of DNA
fragments by gut microflora or somatic cells lining the intestinal cells.
 Dona and Arvanitoyannis have cited various studies that detected
fragments of transgenic genes in the gastrointestinal tract, muscles, and
white blood cells and milk of cows.

9. Outcrossing
 The migration of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related
species in the wild (referred to as “outcrossing”), as well as the mixing of
crops derived from conventional seeds with GM crops, may have an indirect
effect on food safety and food security.
 Cases have been reported where GM crops approved for animal feed or
industrial use were detected at low levels in the products intended for
human consumption.
 Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a
clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops
are grown.

10. Cancer
 Some researchers believe that eating GMO foods can contribute to
the development of cancer. They argue that because the disease is
caused by mutations in DNA, it is dangerous to introduce new genes
into the body.
 The American Cancer Society (ACS) have said Trusted Source that
there is no evidence for this. However, they note that no evidence of
harm is not the same as proof of safety and that reaching a
conclusion will require more research.

11. Antibacterial resistance
 Anti-nutrient effect: Anti-nutrients are substances that interfere with the
utilization of nutrients.
 The insertion of a new gene may lead to an increase in the existing levels
of anti-nutrients.
 For example, glyphosate resistant Roundup Ready soybean has been
shown to increase anti-nutrients.
 In sheep and cattle, heat-stable anti-nutrients such as phytoestrogens,
glucinins, and phytic acid have been found to cause infertility, allergic
reactions, and decreased availability of phosphorus and zinc, respectively

12. Environmental effects:
 Beyond the potential direct effects on human health, GM plants also
have environmental effects on non-target organisms (organisms that
are not pests), such as birds, insects, worms, bees, and fish.
 Other potential environmental risks are the persistence of the gene
after the GMO has been harvested, and the potential for gene
instability, biodiversity loss, or increased use of use of chemicals in
agriculture.

18. REFERANCE
 Int J Nutr Sci. 2021; 6(1): 1047.
The Health Effects of Genetically Modified Foods: a Brief Review
 Bioethics and Biosafety by M K SATHEESH
 Paparini A, Romano-Spica V. Public health issues related with the
consumption of food obtained from genetically modified organisms.
Biotechnology annual review. 2004.