Ten disadvantages of genetically modified food.Updated on February 20, 2014

The idea of producing food with desirable qualities paved the way for the development of genetically

modified food worldwide. Scientists were able to isolate genes with favourable traits and insert them

in crops to produce food that can resist drought, insects, pesticides and even is more nutritious. It

started by developing a tomato with a longer shelf life in 1994 called Flavr Savr. But then, it was

found that consumption of this engineered tomato caused stomach lesions in rats, thus, raising

issues about the safety of genetically modified food in general. Since then, the debate raise on the

disadvantages of consumption of genetically modified food. Below are just some examples of the

long list of disadvantages of such practice;

1. The safety of such products is not verified yet, in fact, we are the lab rats to test the safety of such

technology.

This is sad but true. In fact, genetically engineered food is being consumed daily with no thorough

research of its potential threats on human health.

2. Genetically modified ingredients can cause cancer.

A consultant histopathologest at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Dr Stanley Ewen, raised the concern that

food and water contaminated with genetically engineered material could increase the growth of

malignant tumours upon contact with humans. Later, other studies suggested a link between

engineered food and cancer.

3. It could raise new allergy outbreaks in humans.

It was found that a genetically engineered soya bean containing Brazilian nut protein was allergenic

to humans and was withdrawn from production.

4. Under-Developed countries becoming more dependent on other communities.

This was raised when developing the golden rice, a genetically modified rice that contains larger

amounts of vitamin A, which can be beneficial to poor people in developing countries. However, it is

usually the large companies of the developed world that can produce such crop engineering which

will increase the dependency of poor counties on the Wild, Wild West!

5. You are ‘not’ what you eat any more!

Genetic engineering allows introducing animal products in plants which could raise issues for those

with dietary restrictions, like vegetarian or vegans.

6. It is un-natural way of producing food.

There will always be unknown long term effects to the ecosystem and biodiversity when inducing

unnatural ways to change the natural traits of crops.

7. Adverse effects on the immune system.

A study in 2008 showed that feeding mice engineered food for 30 days caused an immune reaction

and altered the number of cells that regulated the immune functions in the body.

8. Pesticide resistant food can create super-creatures!

It’s not a joke, modified genes in engineered crops that resist pesticides can transfer to insects and

pests; making them pesticide resistant. These super-organisms cannot be controlled easily which

will create problems in managing their numbers and to crop production in future.

9. Genetically modified products cannot be recalled.

Altered genes in engineered food will multiply through generations, passing with it any unknown

damaging trait to the future population. It will be one product of a kind that can’t be recalled when a

malfunction is discovered.

10. The effects of genetic food engineering could be irreversible.

All the disadvantages mentioned above are probably irreversible, especially the harmful effects on

the environment and human health which is an inevitable outcome to the fast pace development of

biotechnology and genetic engineering.Consuming the highest quality of nutrients is the best option

for a healthy lifestyle that can even reverse the adverse effects already implemented by GM food.

This may come from organic food as well as supreme supplements that provide quality nutrients and

antioxidents in a convenient way for us to grab. One supplement formula that stands out and is

backed with solid scientific data about its effect is Lifelixer® formulation; this supplement is the result

of over a decade of research and development and it is patented in over 40 countries and provide

premium blend of vitamin E, B complex, Zinc and silica. In addition it has the macronutrients your

body strive for to build a competent immune system.