The harms of genetically modified foods

Although there have been many advantages, have there also been drawbacks? Let's learn about the harms of genetically modified foods in this article.

The use of genetic engineering and biological technologies to modify food has been studied for thousands of years, but this modification alters the nutritional value of plants and causes significant harm. Let us learn more about the harms of genetically modified foods in this article:

Effects of genetically modified foods on humans

Despite the numerous advantages of genetically modified foods, the following are some potential drawbacks:

• Causing allergic reactions 

The genetic proteins of the modified plant are transferred during the food modification process, which may result in an allergic reaction if consumed.

You might not have previously experienced an allergy to a particular variety of tomato, but after the addition of new proteins, you could develop an allergy to the new GM foods.

• Increased risk of toxicity

People who consume genetically modified food are found to be at an increased risk of becoming ill.

• Causing cancer

Some people were worried that consuming genetically modified foods might increase their risk of developing tumours in the lungs, breasts, or colon as well as increase their body's level of carcinogens, which are known to cause cancer.

• Antibiotic resistance

The genes of these plants could theoretically enter the human body and cause the person to develop antibiotic resistance. Some genetically modified foods contain changes that make them resistant to some antibiotics.

The benefits of genetically modified foods on humans

Potential benefits of genetically modified foods include:

• escalating consumer demand for better foods, like apples that are less prone to going bad.
• Get enhanced flavors from plants.
• by acquiring more food that is virus-resistant, we can decrease waste while boosting food security.
• Get plants with a longer shelf life and less waste.
• The nutritional value of some foods, like golden rice, may be increased, improving the health of those with insufficient access to food.

Are genetically modified foods good or bad for the environment?

It is important to understand the effects of genetically modified foods on the environment after identifying their general negative effects. This can be done in two ways.

• Environmental benefits of genetically modified foods  

Genetic modification of some foods may lead to the following:

1. Facilitate storage and transportation.
2. An increase in plant growth in areas with poor soil quality.
3. An increase in nutrients .
4. Help slow climate change by reducing greenhouse gases.

• Environmental effects of genetically modified food

The damages include the following:

1. Increased risk of crossbreeding, whereby genes are passed from genetically modified foods to wild plants and other crops.
2. Negative effect on insects and other species.
3. Reduction in other plant species, leading to loss of biodiversity. 
4. Making a change in the field of agriculture, as the introduction of new and modified genes in the genetic composition of crops, such as corn,  causes a change in the current path of agriculture.
5. Causing undesirable effects GM plants can leave undesirable residues in the soil for long periods of time Agricultural regulators have been alerted by research that strains of GM crops will remain in the soil for years after crop removal and persist for more than 5 years .
6. Threat to crop diversity. Some have refused to introduce genetically modified genes into the process of genetic diversity. Because these genes can spread to other organic agricultural crops, and threaten crop diversity in agriculture, and if crop diversity decreases, it will have a direct impact on our entire ecosystem, which includes living organisms as well. 

What do you do to avoid genetically modified food damage?

Here are some steps you can take to avoid eating foods that have been genetically modified:

• Make sure to buy organic , homemade foods.
• Before purchasing any food, check the ingredients to make sure it is free of genetically modified materials.
• Avoid potentially dangerous ingredients, such as anything made from genetically modified crops. The most typical ingredients in processed foods include, for instance: corn and the byproducts it produces, including corn starch and flour. maple sugar. soybean. rapeseed oil Cottonseed oil.