How are genetically engineered crops a threat to food safety?
Genetic engineering (GE) or genetically modified (GM) refers to a set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic make-up of cells of plants and animals to bring about a desired commercial function, e.g. insect resistant plants, herbicide tolerant plants, increased protein content in vegetables etc. GM can have unpredictable effects because the process is imprecise and random. Inserted genes may disrupt natural genes, be unstable in their new environment, or function differently than expected. There are two ways in which GM may affect food safety: Gene disruption or instability may lead to new toxins being produced; and the new protein produced by the foreign gene may cause allergies or toxicity. The process of organic farming aims at eliminating all forms of chemical toxins to ensure the sustained natural quality of food, seed, soil and biodiversity. Any plant that is produced with GM seeds cannot be termed organic. GM crops are living and have the ability to reproduce a
