What are GM Foods?

GM foods,or genetically engineered (GE) foods, have ingredients in them that have been modified by a technique called gene technology by scientists.This allows food producers to alter certain characteristics of a food crop by introducing genetic material and proteins from another source. Modifications usually involve changing one gene of the 30,000 — 50,000 or so genes that make up an organism.Horticulturalists and biologists have manipulated plants and animals since mankind first learned that cross breeding can promote more desirable characteristics, such as dogs that can chase rabbits into their holes, or tulips with new colours.The discovery of genes, and the realisation that they control the development of an organism, meant scientists for the first time could insert or remove genes in an organism without having to wait generations of cross breeding for the desirable characteristics to appear.  Examples of GM are a corn plant with a gene that makes it resistant to insect attack, or a wheat plant with a gene that allows it to use less water to grow, and so become more desirable for dryer climates likeAustralian. good for the farmers but could be bad for the public who will eat them

 

Labelling GM Foods

Health Ministers on the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC) resolved in July 2000 to require labelling of GM foods where novel DNA and/or protein is present in the final food and where the food has altered characteristics.

The Ministers resolved that the following would be exempt from these requirements:

• highly refined food where the effect of the refining process is to remove novel DNA and/or protein
• processing aids and food additives except those where novel DNA and/or protein is present in the final food
• flavours which are present in a concentration less than or equal to 0. 1% in the final food
• food prepared at the point of sale

The Govts also resolved to exempt ingredients from GM labelling where they contain up to 1% of GM material - but only where its presence is unintended. All these resolutions became law in December 2001.However the USA FDA do not label their foods coming out so should one eat any food products from the USA. Up to you???

 

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