A nutritionist debunks myths about genetically engineered food.
The acronym GMO made a lot of noise in the information space a few years ago. At first, few people understood the exact definition of the words, and after learning the meaning of the letters, it was difficult to navigate – whether these products are beneficial or have a negative impact. The fact that the natural process of cultivation of plants and animals was interfered with by the hand of man caused mistrust.
What are GMOs?
GMOs – genetically modified organisms – are products in which the genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. As a result, plants, microorganisms received new properties or characteristics that were not inherent to their parents.
The main purpose of engineering was to improve the quality of products, yield, and safety. The new types of products bred in the laboratory were supposed to facilitate human labor, but the man himself perceived the benefits with apprehension. To this day, the controversy about modified organisms does not stop.
How does the public feel about GMOs?
Data from VTsIOM (All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research) states that almost 80{f918c8c230b22f000277847ce26df3ea9ac4bbcabd1c40ab7d79f6a33bb50390} of Russians do not want to eat genetically engineered foods. Similar surveys were conducted in other countries. The results were similar: 90{f918c8c230b22f000277847ce26df3ea9ac4bbcabd1c40ab7d79f6a33bb50390} of European and American respondents were also negative about GMOs.
Respondents felt that any, even scientific, interference in the DNA of the body is unnatural, and that the use can cause human mutations and diseases.
