Is Genetically Modified Food Really Safe?

In 2015, the Central Document No. 1 proposed to strengthen the research, safety management, and scientific popularization of agricultural GMO technology. In order to popularize the knowledge of agricultural genetically modified organisms and safety management, and enable the public to rationally treat genetically modified technologies and products, the National Science Popularization Day is approaching, Guangdong Agricultural Department and South China Agricultural University jointly edited a period of “Transgenic • The topic of science and publicity that you and I are concerned about, answering the questions of public concern about several GM hotspots from the scientific level, hoping to deliver scientific, authoritative, and objective information to the society.

First, where is the genetically modified food?

1. What is genetically modified food

According to the definition of agricultural genetically modified organisms in the "Regulations on the Administration of Safety of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms", genetic engineering technology is used to change the composition of the genome, animals, plants, microorganisms and their products used for agricultural production or processing of agricultural products. To put it simply, any food that contains genetically modified organisms and its directly processed foods is a genetically modified food. For example, soy bean products made from genetically modified soybeans, bean products such as soybean curd and soy sauce, transgenic papayas that are eaten fresh, and cheeses that are produced using genetically modified microorganisms are all genetically modified foods.

As for what is genetically modified food, it must not be enlarged. Only genetically modified organisms and its directly processed products are genetically modified foods, and they must be managed in accordance with genetically modified foods. The further processing of further processed products is no longer a genetically modified product, and it does not need to be in accordance with genetically modified organisms. Product management. Because after further intensive processing, the protein produced by the transferred gene code is no longer present and is broken down into smaller polypeptides or amino acids.

Take soybean as an example. Soybean grains and soybean oil, soybean meal, and soy flour processed directly with seeds are genetically modified products, while pigs fed with soybean meal and sausages processed with the pork are no longer genetically modified products. Since genetically modified soybean oil and rapeseed oil contain almost no genetically modified ingredients, other countries have stipulated that these products are not managed in accordance with genetically modified foods. For example, in the European Union, only the genetically modified components in foods are more than 0.9%. For foods with a transgene content below 0.9% and containing genetically modified ingredients, they are not labeled and treated like non-genetically modified foods.

2. Common genetically modified foods

International commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops began in 1996. Chinese researchers have randomly selected 27 kinds of foods that use corn, soybeans and other major agricultural products as processing raw materials from department stores in the United States and Argentina, and adopted domestic relevant standards. The main coverage of foreign genetically modified foods was evaluated. The experimental results showed that among all the 27 kinds of overseas foods, the total positive rate of transgenes was 33.3%. The transgenic components were detected in both corn and soybeans, of which the transgenic soybean positive samples accounted for 40% of the total soybean products, and the transgenic corn was positive. The sample accounted for 53.3% of the total corn product. Among the detected genetically modified foods, 6 were purchased from US supermarkets, which accounted for 35.3% of all supermarket foods purchased in the United States; 4 were purchased from Argentine supermarkets and accounted for 40% of all Argentine food samples.

In 1996, China began importing genetically modified agricultural products from abroad, mainly soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton. The transgenic crops grown in China's industrialization are only genetically modified cotton and transgenic papaya. From the perspective of raw material sources for food processing, genetically modified organisms and their directly processed products are used in the processing of food when they are imported or domestically grown. Common genetically modified foods include genetically modified soybean oil, transgenic rapeseed oil, and genetically modified papaya.

In order to protect consumers’ right to know and choose, China has implemented a genetically modified labeling system. For genetically modified organisms that are listed in the catalog of genetically modified markers and sold in the market, they need to be identified. Genetically modified foods such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, and blend oils containing genetically modified ingredients on the market have been identified.

Second, rational treatment of genetically modified technology and products

1. We should correctly understand what is a gene and transgene

Genes are basic functional genetic units that carry biological information and determine the traits of organisms. The basic unit of genes is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The total number of genes in different species is different. There are about 26,000-40,000 genes in humans and about 40,000-60,000 genes in rice. In terms of function, some genes belong to housekeeping genes and are essential genes for the maintenance of basic cell life, such as tubulin genes and ribosomal protein genes. Some genes have specific temporal and spatial expression patterns that determine cell-specific patterns. From an evolutionary perspective, homologous genes from different species can be traced back to common ancestors. Therefore, genes as a common carrier of genetic information are not unfathomable.

Under normal circumstances, generations of higher plants alternate through pollen double fertilization to achieve the integration of male and female gametes and the formation of offspring seeds. With the understanding of the structure and function of genes, genetic engineering operations have gradually matured. On this basis, the use of transnormal pollination methods to achieve the integration of genetic material and the cultivation of transgenic plants came into being. In nature, Agrobacterium can transfer and integrate T-DNA on its Ti plasmid into host plants. This principle is widely used in the creation of transgenic plants. In addition, many direct transformation methods are also widely used for genetic manipulation.

2. Public concerns about genetically modified foods

(1) Is traditional food safe?

Safety is a relative concept. Even traditional foods that are consumed regularly cannot be said to be absolutely safe for anyone under any circumstances. For example, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations lists milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster), peanuts, soybeans, stone fruits (apricots, chestnuts, cashews, etc.) as common allergy foods. Because although most people eat nothing, some people still have a certain risk of eating, such as unripe lentils eaten easily poisoned, uncooked soy milk drink easily bloated.

Many of the crops currently grown are not naturally produced, and the main crop varieties are almost all the result of artificial breeding. The rice, wheat, and corn that are grown today are all varieties that have been bred for a long time. The wild species cannot often meet the needs of agricultural production and consumers.

(2) Is gene transfer performed only in genetically modified products?

Traditional techniques such as cross breeding carry out a large number of gene transfer. Most of the agricultural products currently produced have undergone genetic improvement. The Agrobacterium method, one of the current methods of transgenesis, is the result of our learning from nature.

(3) Does eating GM foods change human genes?

Genetically modified foods use genetic engineering technology to transfer the fine genes of certain organisms to other species, making them more in line with human needs in terms of productivity and nutritional quality. All organisms are composed of cells, and each cell contains thousands of genes that control and maintain its species characteristics. For thousands of years, humans have been thriving. However, even the most traditional animal and plant foods that people eat often contain tens of thousands of genes. No one ever fears that animal, plant, and microbial genes in food will Changing a person's genes or inheriting them to future generations. From a biological point of view, the exogenous genes of genetically modified foods are the same as those contained in ordinary foods. They are all nutrients for humans and are eventually digested and absorbed by the body.

(4) Can an insect-resistant GM rice who eats insects die eat?

The Bt protein in insect-resistant transgenic rice is a highly specific insecticidal protein that binds only to specific receptors of lepidopteran intestinal epithelial cells, causing intestinal paralysis of insects and causing death of insects. Only the lepidopteran insects contain binding sites for this protein, and human intestinal cells do not have binding sites for this protein and therefore do not harm the human body. Moreover, humans have discovered that Bt protein has been the source of Bacillus thuringiensis for more than 100 years. Bt preparation has been used as a bio-insecticide for more than 70 years. The large-scale planting and application of Bt corn, cotton and other genetically modified crops has exceeded 19 years. There are no reports of allergic reactions caused by Bacillus thuringiensis and its proteins, and there are no records of occupational allergic reactions related to the production of Bacillus thuringiensis-containing products, so insect-resistant transgenic rice can be eaten with confidence.

(5) Is the safety of genetically modified foods conclusive?

Internationally, there is an authoritative conclusion about the safety of genetically modified foods, that is, through the safety evaluation, the genetically modified organisms that obtain safety certificates and their products are safe and can be eaten with confidence. The safety evaluation of genetically modified organisms adopts the principle of case analysis. Therefore, we cannot talk about the safety of genetically modified foods in general. An indisputable fact is that to date, there has been no confirmed food safety issue in genetically modified foods.

The World Health Organization believes that “the general population of countries that have approved GM foods has not shown any impact on human health after eating GM foods.” The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations held an expert seminar and concluded that "all genetically-modified foods currently listed are safe." During the 25 years of the European Commission, it organized more than 130 scientific research projects involving more than 500 independent scientific groups. The conclusion was that "biotechnology, especially genetically modified technology, is no more dangerous than traditional breeding techniques."

(6) Developed countries do not eat genetically modified foods themselves, specifically for export?

The U.S. is a large country for research and development of genetically modified technologies and a major country for the production and application of genetically modified foods. According to incomplete statistics, the genetically modified soybeans, corn, rapeseed, tomato and papaya produced and sold in the United States are more than 3,000 types of genetically modified foods and brands. In addition, more than 5,000 foods containing GM ingredients sold in the US market were added to foods derived from transgenic microorganisms such as rennet.

According to the statistics of the American Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), 75%-80% of processed foods in the United States contain genetically modified ingredients. In an interview with the media in October 2013, US Department of Agriculture Minister Adviser Holzman said that more than 90% of the corn and soybeans in the United States are genetically modified, of which 20% of corn and 40% of soybeans are exported, and the rest are used in the country. In consumption, about 70% of processed foods in the U.S. market contain genetically modified ingredients. It can be said that the U.S. is the country that has the most varieties of GM foods and the longest time.

Europe is also a region where imports and consumption of genetically modified products are relatively large. It imports 4 million tons of corn and 33 million tons of soybean each year. Most of the imported products contain genetically modified components. Except for feed or industrial use, they are all used for food. In 2013, there were still 148,000 hectares of Bt corn planted in Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania. On February 11, 2014, the European Commission approved the planting of a new type of genetically modified corn.

Japan has been the world’s largest corn importer for many years. From 2007 to 2008, Japan’s corn imports reached 16.3 million tons. In 2010, it also imported 14.343 million tons of US corn. Japan is also the world’s third largest importer of soybeans, only in 2010. In 2003, it imported 2.347 million tons of U.S. soybeans, most of which were genetically modified.

3. Social development promotes transgenic technology

Transgenic organisms include genetically modified organisms, transgenic animals, and transgenic plants that are widely used in drug production, medical testing, and agricultural production. Recently, the International Service for the Application of Agricultural Biotechnology (ISAAA) released the latest statistics on the development of the global GM crop breeding industry. In 2014, 28 countries in the world planted 181.5 million hectares of genetically modified crops, which is larger than the total area of ​​cultivated land in China. From 1996 to 2014, the global acreage of GM crops has increased by more than 100 times, and the cumulative area has exceeded 1.8 billion hectares. In 2014, 11 countries planted more than one million hectares, followed by the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India, Canada, China, Paraguay, Pakistan, South Africa, Uruguay, and Bolivia. Take field crops as an example, 4/5 of the global soybean planting area, more than 2/3 of the total area of ​​cotton, 1/3 of the total area of ​​corn, and 1/4 of the total area of ​​rapeseed are GM varieties.

4. Genetically modified crops are an inevitable trend in China's future agricultural development

Agriculture is one of the most important areas for the development of modern biological sciences and the application of biotechnology. Promoting the research and application of transgenic technology is the strategic choice and the only way to develop modern agriculture, achieve technological innovation, ensure food security, and is currently the focus of international science and technology competition.

China is a large agricultural country with a population of 1.3 billion. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of agriculture and the rural economy. We have used only 9% of the world's arable land, produced 25% of the world's grain, supported 21% of the world's population, and achieved great achievements that have drawn worldwide attention. However, we should soberly realize that in the face of increasing pressure to protect agricultural supplies, faced with many contradictions such as sharp decline in arable land, shortage of resources, environmental pollution, and frequent disasters, we faced more than 40 million farmers. The arduous task of getting rid of poverty and getting rich, ensuring the effective supply of major agricultural products such as food is still the primary task for the development of agriculture and rural economy in China.

Biotechnology with the core of transgenic technology is a new and comprehensive discipline. Although there are still doubts about the genetically modified technology and genetically modified foods in the public in China, we should see good prospects for its application and opportunities for China's agricultural development, and objectively analyze the many advantages of planting genetically modified crops.

5. Development of GMOs in China

China has always attached great importance to the research and application of transgenic technology. In the 1980s, China started to conduct research on genetically modified crops. It is one of the earliest countries in the world to apply agricultural bio-engineering. The overall level of development of genetically modified crops is in a leading position in developing countries, and some projects have entered the international advanced ranks. . At present, China has genetically modified insect-resistant cotton, storage-tolerant tomatoes, modified flower petunia flowers, anti-virus sweet pepper, anti-virus papaya, insect-resistant rice, phytase corn and other transgenic plants, as well as genetic engineering to prevent bird flu The vaccine gets a safety certificate. However, only genetically modified cotton and genetically modified papaya are used for real industrialization.

III. Establishment of safety management of genetically modified foods in line with international standards

In 1996, the first genetically modified crop, the herbicide-tolerant soybean, was commercialized in the United States. Since then, global transgenic plant products have flourished. There are two voices of transgenic plant products: support and opposition.

As a high and new technology, transgenic technology is the latest achievement in human biological breeding technology. It belongs to the scientific category. We should treat it with a scientific attitude.

1. Evaluation of food safety of genetically modified organisms

Since 2003, the International Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted four standards for food safety evaluation of genetically modified organisms. According to international standards, the evaluation of food safety of genetically modified organisms in the world is mainly evaluated from the aspects of nutrition evaluation, toxicological evaluation of newly expressed substances, and evaluation of sensitization. Most countries have specialized agencies responsible for food safety evaluation of genetically modified foods. They are mainly responsible for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. The EU is responsible for the European Food Safety Authority, and China is mainly responsible for the Ministry of Agriculture.

The safety assessment of genetically modified foods in China is also based on the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Key evaluations are made on nutritional evaluation, toxicological evaluation of newly expressed substances, and assessment of allergenicity.

Although the modes and procedures for national security assessments are not all the same, the general evaluation principles and technical methods are based on the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Before entering the market, GM foods must pass strict safety assessments and approval procedures such as toxicity, sensitization, and teratogenicity, and are more stringent and specific than any previous food safety assessment. Various relevant international organizations, developed countries and China have carried out a large amount of scientific research. Both domestic and foreign countries believe that genetically modified foods that have been listed are as safe as traditional foods. Regardless of whether people worry about the safety of GM foods or how many people question the safety of GM foods, an indisputable fact is that so far, since the commercialization of GM foods, there has not been a confirmed food safety issue. It is other technologies that have never been achieved.

2. Identification of genetically modified foods

The logo has nothing to do with the safety of the food, not that the logo is not safe, and the logo is safe. Because the issue of the safety of genetically modified foods has been resolved during the safety evaluation of the raw materials of the food, genetically modified organisms, that is, the genetically modified organisms that have obtained the safety certificate are safe, then the genetically modified foods that are used as raw materials for processing are also safe. The role of the logo is only to satisfy the consumer's right to know and choose. At present, no country has identified all genetically modified foods.

Internationally, the logo management of genetically modified organisms is mainly divided into four categories:

First, voluntary marks, such as the United States, Canada, and Argentina.

The second is the quantitative and comprehensive mandatory labeling, which means that all products must be labeled as long as their transgene components exceed the threshold. For example, the European Union requires genetically modified ingredients to exceed 0.9%, and Brazil requires genetically modified ingredients to exceed 3%.

The third is the quantitative part of the mandatory labeling, that is, as long as the content of the genetically modified components of certain categories of products exceeds the threshold, they must be identified. For example, in Japan, 24 kinds of foods made from soybeans or corn, such as tofu, corn snacks, and natto, need to be genetically modified. Mark, set the threshold to 5%.

The fourth is the qualitative labeling according to the directory, that is, any product that is listed in the catalogue must be identified as long as it contains genetically modified components or is a processed genetically modified crop. At present, China is the only country that adopts this method of identification, and it is also the country with the most logos for genetically modified products. Since the thresholds are set in countries where quantitative labeling is applied, it is often difficult to achieve this value in food-transgenic ingredients. Although these foods are genetically modified foods, they are not labeled. Therefore, it is difficult to find the labeled genetically modified products in the markets of these countries and form a de facto label.

IV. Regulations related to genetically modified safety management

Biosafety and biotechnology accompany each other, and the development of biotechnology puts higher requirements on safety management. Some new genes, new traits, new methods, and new products continue to emerge. For example, cold-tolerance, improved nutrient use, transgenic crops, and compound traits Genetically modified crops, etc. GMO risks are the focus of worldwide debate, and the role of transforming organisms has been exaggerated or even demonized by a very small number of people, causing the public to fear potential risks. Therefore, the government must strengthen the safety management of genetically modified organisms, actively respond to the potential risks of genetically modified technology, and respond to public concerns.

There is no unified model for the safety management of agricultural GMOs in the world. Some countries have established independent special laws (the European Union, Australia, etc.), and some countries have incorporated them into the framework of existing laws and regulations (US), with specific details on management. There are also significant differences.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety management of agricultural genetically modified organisms and has formed a set of laws, regulations, technical regulations and management systems that suit our country's national conditions and are in line with international practices. We have implemented safety management according to law and achieved remarkable results.

In 2001, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms. According to the Regulations, the relevant departments have formulated five methods: the "Administrative Measures for the Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms", the "Administrative Measures for the Safety of Imported Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms," and the "Transgenic Agricultural Genes". Biomarking Management Measures, “Approval Methods for the Processing of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms,” and “Administrative Measures for the Inspection and Quarantine of Entry and Exit Genetically Modified Products,” regulate the safety evaluation of agricultural genetically modified organisms, import safety management, label management, processing approvals, and product entry and exit inspection and quarantine.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China have issued catalogues of genetically modified organisms, and established systems for research, testing, production, processing, operations, import licensing, and approval. The Ministry of Agriculture has established the Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Committee and the National Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Management Standardization Technical Committee, and has established a number of environmental and food safety testing institutions, among which 39 have passed the national measurement certification and the Ministry of Agriculture's review and approval. The 4th Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Management Committee established in 2012 consists of 64 multidisciplinary experts. The safety committee is responsible for scientifically, systematically and comprehensively evaluating GMOs. The Ministry of Agriculture has also established a National Standardization Technical Committee for Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms, which consists of 41 experts, and has issued 104 safety standards for genetically modified organisms.

Our country implements a graded and phased safety evaluation system for agricultural genetically modified organisms. The safety evaluation is carried out in five stages: experimental research, intermediate testing, environmental release, production testing, and application for safety certificates. At the same time, it organized the long-term risk monitoring of crop ecological environment such as transgenic insect-resistant cotton to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the GMO industry. For those genetically modified plants that have obtained production application safety certificates, they must also obtain the variety approval certificates, production licenses, and business licenses in accordance with the requirements of the “Seed Law of the People's Republic of China” before they can enter commercial planting.

China's genetic safety management is strict and rigorous. The safety of genetically modified products is insecure. It is assessed by many scientists in accordance with rigorous scientific standards and strict regulatory procedures. It does not depend on which department or person decides. The information on genetically modified safety management in China is open and transparent. In 2013, in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Government Information Disclosure, the Ministry of Agriculture proactively disclosed laws, regulations, safety evaluation standards, guidelines, and inspection agencies for agricultural genetically modified organisms in the “Growing Concerns of Authorities” section of the official website “Hot Topics”. The working committee rules, membership list, etc.

For the safety approval results of GMOs and relevant safety assessment data, the Ministry of Agriculture also publishes on the Internet in a timely manner according to the year. The information can be searched by the public on the Internet. At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture, in accordance with the public's individual applications, has disclosed to the applicants government information related to agricultural genetic safety management. Through information disclosure, the transparency of the approval and management of agricultural GMOs in China has been improved, and the public’s right to information has been met. It should be said that the information on the safety management of agricultural genetically modified organisms in China is open and transparent and conforms to international practices. (Source: Nanfang Daily)

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