Safety and Regulation of GMO

Foods

Jenna Swint, Sherry Miller-Johnson, Ida Doutt

HN 2450November 12, 2012

Genetic modifications have existed for as long as

humans have cultivated plants. Traditionally, cross-breeding plants genetically modified

them to create greater yields and higher quality. Bioengineering speeds this process by taking genes for

traits in one organism and inserting them into another organism lacking these genes.

Genetic modifications using bioengineering has two purposes. To improve or correct genetic defects, or Genetically modify organisms.

Genetic Modification

“The process of breeding staple crops to have higher levels of essential

nutrients, either through selective breeding or genetic modification.

Biofortification

Food security in developing countries. Creation of superior plants resistant to pests and

disease; thus, reduction of the use of pesticides and their harmful environmental effects.

Reduction of costs to farmers and customers. Increase in the nutrient and vitamin content of

foods. Alleviation of nutrient deficiencies around the

world.

Purpose of GMOs

Fortified vs. Enriched

Fortification:A strengthening or

improvement, as by addition of or

intensification with another ingredient to increase nutritional

value.

Enrichment:The replacement of lost nutrients during the refining process, making foods finer in quality by supplying

desirable elements or ingredients.

Zinc: Protein synthesis, DNA replication

and metabolism. Iron: Oxygen transport, regulation of

cell growth and differentiation. Beta-carotene: Precursor to vitamin A. Folic Acid & Vitamin B12: Reduce the

risk of neural tube defects. More recent target of biofortification.

Physiological Roles of Essential Micronutrients Targeted in GMO Foods

Potential Hazards of

Biofortification Sources:

Parent host (traditionally bred crops), gene donor, transformed crop

Types: Gene transfer to bacteria or

mammalian cells Nutritional changes or anti-

nutrient effects Toxicity including allergenicity

Potential Targets: Farmers Processors Consumers Animals

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has

the ultimate responsibility to evaluate GM foods and deem them safe for human consumption or not. The FDA is responsible for regulating labeling practices as well.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) evaluates the safety of growing GMOs.

The Environmental Protection Agency evaluates the environmental safety of GMOs.

Safety of GMO Foods

Current FDA policy: GM food is

‘substantially equivalent’ to non GMO food. No labeling or safety testing required.

Conflict of interest? Michael R. Taylor, former VP of Policy at Monsanto, has been the Deputy Commissioner of Foods (FDA) since 2010. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofFoods/ucm196721.htm

Why loosen current regulations? During 2011, deregulation of sugar beet and alfalfa crops occurred in the US with no investigation into the potential dangers of either crop.

GMO Regulation: United States

GMO Labeling:

California’s Prop 37

Proposed the labeling of GM ingredients in food products sold in supermarkets.

Rejected by voters (53% against, 47% in support). Corporate campaigning:

$45 million spent to fight the GMO labeling initiative versus $8 million spent to support the campaign.

‘No’: Monsanto ($7.1 m), Dupont de Nemours ($4.9 m), PepsiCo ($2.14 m), Kraft ($1.6 m)

‘Yes’: Organic Consumers Fund ($1.034 m), Co-founder of Seed Saver Exchange ($1 m), Nature’s Path Foods, Inc. ($1.15 m)

(Breakdown of money spent)

Significance of Prop 37

Mandatory Labeling Arguments

Pro-labeling: Consumers have the

right to know what’s in their food, especially foods with health and environmental concerns involved.

Anti-labeling: No significant difference

between conventional foods versus GM foods.

Costly to consumers and companies for mandatory testing and labeling of products.

‘100% Organic’ offers consumers the option of purchasing non-GM foods.

Regulation Abroad

US first exported GM food to Europe in 1996. Britain followed with mandatory labeling in 1997.

Mandatory labeling: European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia It’s an issue over consumer

choice and consumer rights, not health.

Products:

Agricultural and vegetable seeds  Plant biotechnology traits  Crop protection chemicals

Globally: 21,035 employees  404 facilities in 66 countries

Controls ~90% of global seed genetics. http

://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/default.aspx

Monsanto discovered glyphosate:

Active ingredient in Roundup® formula. Successful in killing weeds/roots. Decreases space between crops and increases

crop yield. Requires only one spraying per crop. Roundup represents 50% of Monsanto’s

revenue. Thus, GM seeds developed to withstand

herbicide.

Roundup® herbicide formulation

Compared the health effects in three groups (rats):

GM maize cultivation with Roundup GM maize cultivation without Roundup Control group (Conventional maize without

Roundup) Study lasted two years (typical rat lifespan). Rats in the first two groups were 2-3 times more likely

to have enhanced tumor production compared to the control group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxpH9wBt0fM

GM Maize Study: “Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize”

It did not meet acceptable standards and findings

are not supported by the data presented. Breed of rats is known for developing tumors Type of corn used was not specified Research protocol does not meet OECD standards

Lifetime cancer studies previously done have shown glyphosate does not cause tumors or cancer in rodents.

Published epidemiology studies evaluating health effects reinforce the lack of evidence linking glyphosate to tumors or cancer.

Monsanto’s Response:Limitations of Study

More research is needed.

Agricultural GMOs and corresponding pesticides must be evaluated carefully with long term studies to measure potential toxic effects.

Conclusion

Pew Initiative, 2001-2006 reviews. To educate

consumers on GMO foods. http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/

Reports/Food_and_Biotechnology/hhs_biotech_0901.pdf GM Approval Database.

http://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/default.asp Center for Food Safety. Overview of public

policy and legal actions involving GM food. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/campaign/genetically-e

ngineered-food/crops/

What’s your opinion?

"About FDA." Meet Michael R. Taylor, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 11

Nov. 2012. <http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofFoods/ucm196721.htm>. Cockburn, Andrew. "Assuring the Safety of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods: The Importance of

an Holistic, Integrative Approach." Journal of Biotenchology 11th ser. 98.1 (2002): 79-106. Science Direct. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168165602000883>.

"France Orders Probe after Rat Study Links GM Corn, Cancer - FRANCE 24." FRANCE 24. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.france24.com/en/20120919-france-orders-probe-after-rat-study-links-gm-corn-cancer>.

"GM Approval Database." International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.isaaa.org/gmapprovaldatabase/default.asp>.

"Google Images." Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=biofortification>.

Gruissem, W. "Crop Biofortification-GMO or Non-GMO." Journal of Biotechnology 150 (2010): 116. Science Direct. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http:/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168165610006930>.

"Monsanto ~ Roundup Ready System." Monsanto ~ Roundup Ready System. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.monsanto.com/weedmanagement/Pages/roundup-ready-system.aspx>.

Works Cited

Monsanto. "Monsanto Comments (Updated 11/1/2012) Long Term Toxicity of a Roundup

Herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize." Monsanto Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <www.monsanto.com/.../seralini-sept-2012-monsanto-comments.pdf>.

Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nature.com/news/hyped-gm-maize-study-faces-growing-scrutiny-1.11566>.

N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.monsanto.com/weedmanagement/Pages/roundup-ready-system.aspx%20>.

"Obama and GMOs: Five Facts to Face." The Natural Independent. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.deathrattlesports.com/archives/9621/obama-and-gmos-five-facts-to-face/>.

"Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology Finds Public Opinion About Genetically Modified Foods "Up For Grabs" - The Pew Charitable Trusts." Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology Finds Public Opinion About Genetically Modified Foods "Up For Grabs" - The Pew Charitable Trusts. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=33482>.

"Policy Comments." The Center for Food Safety. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/campaign/genetically-engineered-food/crops/policy-comments/>.

Works Cited

Seralini, Gilles-Eric, Emilie Clair, Robin Mesnage, Steeve Gress, Nicolas Defarge,

Manuela Malatesta, Didier Hennequin, and Joel Spiroux De Vendomois. "Long Term Toxicity of a Roundup Herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize." Food and Chemical Toxicology 50 (2012): 4221-231. SciVerse. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.

Vaughan, Adam. "Prop 37: Californian Voters Reject GM Food Labelling." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/07/prop-37-californian-gm-labelling%20>.

"Who We Are." Monsanto ~ Who We Are. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/Pages/monsanto-history.aspx>.

"Who's Funding Prop 37, Labeling for Genetically Engineered Foods? | Propositions | Elections 2012 | KCET." KCET. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-37-funding-genetically-engineered-food.html>.

Works Cited