What does the science say about GMOs?
Attitudes toward GMO foods are debated in scientific circles as well. There are several points of view, but most of the world’s major medical societies have not identified risks from altered organisms.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences state that GMO foods that have passed appropriate safety assessments are not harmful to the human body.
This is also stated in a 2016 report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The results showed that GMO crops fed to humans and animals had no effect on their bodies.
Nevertheless, scientists believe that more research is needed to assess the long-term effects of consuming foods with altered genes.
There are also concerns that they will have a negative impact on the environment. GMO plants may displace less adaptable and temperature-tolerant crops of agriculture.
Despite the controversy, most are convinced that genetically modified foods are the future. Because they produce a high yield, are resistant to climate change, are superior in taste to breeder plants, and require less care.
Labeling GMO foods
Because consumers are concerned about the potential risks associated with GMO foods, a special warning label is printed on the labels of products containing the altered gene.
Some countries require mandatory labeling of GMO products, while other countries do not require these labels.
The safety of GMO products is regulated and monitored by the relevant authorities. They carry out risk assessment and require appropriate labeling. In Russia, Rospotrebnadzor is responsible for such control.
In a number of European countries and the United States, genetically modified organisms are allowed to be sold and widely used in agriculture. The import and cultivation of transgenic products are still banned in Russia.
