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The process itself is imprecise and random. Inserted genes may disrupt other genes, be unstable in their new environment or function differently than expected.
For this reason there are two ways in which genetic engineering may present risks to our health:
There is scientific agreement these risks are real, and in many countries regulations are in place to examine the safety of GE foods.
However, the testing systems used by regulators worldwide is extremely poor because it usually relies on the concept of ‘substantial equivalence’. This concept has been severely criticised by respected scientific bodies.
‘Substantial equivalence’ assumes that a patented GE food is ‘substantially equivalent’ to, or ‘more or less the same’ as the conventional variety of the same food. For example, the Australian regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has declared Bayer's GE canola ‘substantially equivalent’ to conventional canola varieties – and approved it for human consumption.
This theory is based on a limited chemical comparison of the two foods. Once deemed ‘substantially equivalent’ to its conventional counterpart, a GE food is assumed to be safe – until proven otherwise.
Live animal studies are used to determine the safety of pharmaceuticals, but regulators do not require such tests for GE foods. Only a small number of live animal tests of GE food have ever been undertaken. In the 10 peer-reviewed studies worldwide, just seven different GE foods have been tested on animals. Five of those studies showed significant negative impacts on the animals, including stomach lesions, organ damage and signs of immune-deficiency.
In addition there is currently no health monitoring or surveillance system anywhere in the world to determine the impact on our health of the GE foods we already eat. Without such a system in place it could take decades, or even generations, to detect unintended or unexpected consequences from eating GE foods.
With inadequate safety testing and no monitoring system of potential effects, there is no evidence proving GE foods are safe for either human or animal consumption.
For this reason there are two ways in which genetic engineering may present risks to our health:
• gene disruption or instability may lead to new toxins being produced; and
• because the new protein produced by the foreign gene may cause allergies or toxicity.
• because the new protein produced by the foreign gene may cause allergies or toxicity.
There is scientific agreement these risks are real, and in many countries regulations are in place to examine the safety of GE foods.
However, the testing systems used by regulators worldwide is extremely poor because it usually relies on the concept of ‘substantial equivalence’. This concept has been severely criticised by respected scientific bodies.
‘Substantial equivalence’ assumes that a patented GE food is ‘substantially equivalent’ to, or ‘more or less the same’ as the conventional variety of the same food. For example, the Australian regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has declared Bayer's GE canola ‘substantially equivalent’ to conventional canola varieties – and approved it for human consumption.
This theory is based on a limited chemical comparison of the two foods. Once deemed ‘substantially equivalent’ to its conventional counterpart, a GE food is assumed to be safe – until proven otherwise.
Live animal studies are used to determine the safety of pharmaceuticals, but regulators do not require such tests for GE foods. Only a small number of live animal tests of GE food have ever been undertaken. In the 10 peer-reviewed studies worldwide, just seven different GE foods have been tested on animals. Five of those studies showed significant negative impacts on the animals, including stomach lesions, organ damage and signs of immune-deficiency.
No monitoring
In addition there is currently no health monitoring or surveillance system anywhere in the world to determine the impact on our health of the GE foods we already eat. Without such a system in place it could take decades, or even generations, to detect unintended or unexpected consequences from eating GE foods.
With inadequate safety testing and no monitoring system of potential effects, there is no evidence proving GE foods are safe for either human or animal consumption.
