GROUP ASSIGNMENTFOOD TECHNOLOGY

BNN40304How Do You Feel About Genetically Modified

Food (GMF)? Are They Beneficial or Harmful?

Group Members

KHAIRUL ANWAR ROSLILIM HUI SIN

TAN KIAN MENGUMIE ADILAH JAMAL

Introduction To Genetic Modified Food

By: Khairul Anwar

What is Genetic Modified Food?

• World Health Organization (WHO) defined Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as the organism such as plants, animals or microorganism in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered and do not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombinant.

• Genetically Modified Food (GMF) in the other hand referred to the food that produced from/or using GMOs.

Objectives of GMFs

GMFs are developed and marketed to:1) Perceived advantages to food producer and

consumer such as:i. Product with a lower price.ii. Durability and nutritional value of the food.

2) Improve crop protection. Resistance to diseases (insects/viruses). Increased tolerance towards herbicides.

How GMFs are made?

• GMFs are made through a process known as genetic engineering.

• Genes of interest are transferred from one organism to another.

• Two primary methods currently exist for introducing transgenes into plant genomes.– The first involves a device called a ‘gene gun.’ The DNA to be

introduced into the plant cells is coated onto tiny particles. These particles are then physically shot onto plant cells. Some of the DNA comes off and is incorporated into the DNA of the recipient plant.

– The second method uses a bacterium to introduce the gene(s) of interest into the plant DNA.

Example of GMF application

Bt toxins– Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a common gram negative, spore-

forming, soil bacterium.– Bt cells undergo sporulation, synthesizing a protein crystal,

insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) or Cry protein. – The development and commercialization of insect-resistant

transgenic Bt crops expressing Cry toxins is a great achievement in agriculture and GMF.

– Benefits:• High specificity and potency• Reduction in chemical pesticides application• Increased crop yield

Health Factors And Concerns Of GMFs

By: Lim Hui Sin

Question Frequently Asked

1. Is the transgene itself Toxic? Can it be transferred to the genome of a consumer?

2. Does the product encoded by the transgene present a Risk to consumers or handlers?

3. Will insertion of the transgene increase the potential hazard from toxins or pharmacologically active substances present in the host?

4. Will genetic transformation adversely affect the nutritional value of the host?

• All genetically modified foods that have been approved are considered by the government to be as safe as their traditional counterparts and are generally unregulated (FDA website).

• In 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) stated that, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with genetically modified (GM) food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM has asked physicians to advise all patients to avoid GM foods.

Potential Health Effect

1. Food Allergy2. Increased Toxicity3. Decreased Nutritional Value4. Antibiotic Resistance5. Cancer6. Immuno-suppression

Food Allergy

• Allergenicity is one of the major concerns about food derived from transgenic crops.

• For example, the kiwi fruit was introduced into the U.S. and the European markets in the 1960s with no known human allergies; however, today there are people allergic to this fruit (Pastorello et al., 1998).

Gene Transfer

• Gene transfer from GMF to cells of the body or to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract would cause concern if the transferred genetic material adversely affects human health.

• This would be particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance genes, used as markers when creating GMOs, were to be transferred.

• Although the probability of transfer is low, the use of gene transfer technology that does not involve antibiotic resistance genes is encouraged.

Outcrossing• The migration of genes from GM plants into conventional

crops or related species in the wild (referred to as “outcrossing”), as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security.

• Cases have been reported where GM crops approved for animal feed or industrial use were detected at low levels in the products intended for human consumption.

• Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown.

Influence of Changing Consumer Lifestyles On Food Product Development

By :Tan Kian Meng

• Food product development needs to be based on consumers’ needs and wishes to be successful.

• Factors that have become relevant in respect to this are:– Cultural influences– Aging and health issues– Busy lifestyles– Food safety and ethical issues– Environmental issues

• Cultural factors are coming from the different components (eg. religion, belief, tradition etc.) that influence the consumer’s behaviour on food choices.

For example food product development:• McDonald’s is a brilliant example of adaptation to

the specificities of each culture and each market. Well aware of the importance to have an offer with specific products to meet the needs and tastes of consumers from different cultures such as that all the ingredients used by McDonald’s in Arabic and Muslim countries are certified halal. The fast food chain is not offering, of course, any product with bacon or pork

1. Cultural Influences

2. Aging and Health Issues• Today foods are not intended to only satisfy hunger

and to provide necessary nutrients for humans but also to prevent nutrition-related diseases and improve physical and mental well-being of the consumers (Menrad, 2003 and Roberfroid, 2000b).

For example: Functional Foods• Functional foods were those of fortified with vitamins

and/or minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, iron, and calcium that promote good health.

• Functional foods have been developed in virtually all food categories such as probiotics, prebiotics, functional meats, functional eggs and etc.

3. Busy Lifestyles• Major macro-economic changes that occurred

worldwide in the last few decades cause many of us life in busyness. Increased incomes and general economic growth has resulted in many ‘cash rich, time poor’ consumers.

For example: Convenient Foods• Products which have undergone secondary processing

including ready meals, processed meats, pizzas, pies, savoury products, ice-cream and confectionery products, dairy desserts, soups and other prepared consumer ready products.

• Convenient foods help in reducing the input required from consumers in either food shopping, preparation, cooking or cleaning after the meal.

4. Food Safety and Ethical Issues• Food safety-the inverse of food risk/the probability of

not suffering some hazard from consuming a specific food. Microbiological considerations are an even greater challenge to safety of food.

For example: GM Food• Tolerant to herbicides and resistant to insect damage.• At the ethical level, there are concerns about

scientists “playing God.”• At the consumer level, there are worries about the

future safety of the technology, such as the creation of super-weeds and the development of serious illness.

5. Environmental Issues

• Unsustainable food consumption and production brought adverse impacts to the environment.

• Nowadays, the world have diverted to the practice of sustainable food consumption and production, for instance vegetarianisms.

For example: Quorn (microbe-protein)• Non-threatening alternative to meat,

substitute for meat in everyday meals.• Obtain from lab-base method, save the land

used.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GMFs

By: UMIE ADILAH JAMAL

Advantages

1. Huge Amount of Nutritious Foods The consumers will be able to find several healthy foods that are full of several

kinds of nutrients compared to the ordinary crops that are available in the market.

Allow the consumers to manage their healthy diet more effectively since all of the crops that it can offer are 100% nutritious and good for their health.

2. Larger Production It is much easier to raise the crops since its have stronger pest resistance. Such situation helps the farmers to produce doubled amounts of foods or crops

much easier.

3. Leads to Decreased Use of Pesticides GMF do not need pesticides to achieve stronger protection and resistance

against the different kinds of pests and insects that may destroy it.

4. Foods are more resistant and stay ripe can be shipped long distances or kept on shop shelves for longer periods.

Disadvantages

1. GMO crops cross-pollinate with nearby non-GMO plants Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops could give rise to super-weeds and super-

pests that would need newer, stronger chemicals to destroy them.

2. Unusual Taste Do not taste natural compared to the ordinary foods that are available in the market. Its

unusual taste could be a result of the substances that were added in its composition

3. Allergic Reactions GMO foods can present significant allergy risks to people Genetic modification often mixes or adds proteins that weren't indigenous to the original

plant or animal, causing new allergic reactions in the human body.

4. Decreased Antibiotic Efficacy Some GMO foods have had antibiotic features built into them to make them immune or

resistant to diseases or viruses. When you eat them, these antibiotic markers persist in your body and can make actual

antibiotic medications less effective. Such ingestion of GMO foods and regular exposure to antibiotics may be contributing to the

decreased effectiveness of antibiotic drugs that is being noticed in hospitals around the world.

Conclusion• Modern technology should be applied to

improve the way the food is produced for certain cause such as:i. The potential of biotechnology could benefits

the public health such as increase the food nutrient content, decrease allergenicity.

ii. Potential negative effect of GMFs on human health must be examined thoroughly before developing new food products.