Genetically modified food controversies: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

m

Line 3:

The key areas of controversy related to genetically modified (GM) food are: risk of harm from GM food, whether GM food should be labeled, the role of government regulators, the effect of GM crops on the environment, and GM crops' context as part of the industrial agriculture system.

There has never been a long-term study of the effects of a diet including GM food on humans, so no one can be [[Certainty|certain]] whether such diet is as more, less, or as harmful as a diet without GM foods. Therefore, discussion of the safety of GM food is a matter of assessing the [[risk]] of harm. While it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods, to date no adverse health effects in humans have been documented,<ref>[http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/ 20 questions on genetically modified foods] [[World Health Organization]]</ref> and there is now broad scientific consensus that GM food on the market is safe to eat.<ref name=SciAm>{{cite web |first1=Pamela |last1=Ronald |date=August 11, 2011 |title=Genetically Engineered Crops—What, How and Why |url=http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/08/11/genetically-engineered-crops/}}{{MEDRS|date=October 2012}}</ref> An [[OECD]] task force wrote in 2000: "Much experience has been gained in the safety assessment of the first generation of foods derived through modern biotechnology, and those countries that have conducted assessments are confident that those GM foods they have approved are as safe as other foods."<ref name=OECD2000>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Report of the Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds C(2000)86/ADD1. May 17, 2000 [http://www.biosafety.be/ARGMO/Documents/report_taskforce.pdf]{{Page needed|date=October 2012}}</ref>

Nonetheless, some scientists,<ref name=Seralini2007>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5 |title=New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity |year=2007 |last1=Séralini |first1=Gilles-Eric |last2=Cellier |first2=Dominique |last3=Vendomois |first3=Joël Spiroux |journal=Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=596–602 |pmid=17356802}}</ref> a US [[National Academy of Sciences]] task force,<ref name=NRC2004>NRC. (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. National Academies Press. [http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10977#toc Free full-text].{{Page needed|date=October 2012}}</ref> and advocacy groups such as [[Greenpeace]] and [[World Wildlife Fund]] have concerns that risks of GM food have not been adequately identified and managed. Calls for change range from requiring more rigorous testing of GM food, to banning GM food.