7 myths about GMOs, to believe in that stupid
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Myth 1. Shalt eat GMO - mutant will become
It's the most wonderful myth that exposed and dismantled so many times that even raising the subject uncomfortable. Allegedly altered genes from potato or soy penetrate the human genes and something will change there. Spider-Man look like we will not, but in the mutants of the horror stories develop.
If this scheme worked so simple, any genes from any potato or soy could penetrate into our DNA and change something. Fortunately, this does not happen, because our DNA is safely protected from the genes of the foods that we eat.
We can not say that this myth does not have a base. For example, many viruses can penetrate into the cells and trigger cancer, as some types of human papillomavirus. But these viruses are not related to production technology products. GMOs and their use in food is studiedGenetically modified foods: A critical review of their promise and problems for decades, and during that time there were no sudden mutations associated with the penetration of GMO genes in the human genome
An overview of the last 10 years of genetically engineered crop safety research.Myth 2. GMO - is poison
The main myth comes from the fact that the acronym GMO everyone puts some meaning. In fact, she just stands: genetically modified organism. This abbreviation is not responding to the question "Why modified?".
Can give you an example: we have pie. Ordinary pie. It can be baked or fried, with onions or with jam kumquat. Patty may be overdue. Even filled with rat poison arsenic. Does this mean that the cake - the evil and should be banned? Of course not. It all depends on what is in the patty.
And GMOs. Modify products can be different. And in theory, of course, possible to design an object that would cause poisoning. But in practice it is unprofitable.
GMOs are doing to improve the properties of the product: to be slower spoiled vegetables grow faster, are resistant to pests and herbicides (substances that destroy the weeds in the fields).
The same for centuries in a traditional selection, changing organisms only by slow selection and blind: no He knows what kind of wheat grains grow after irradiation, or what kind of a calf born from the crossed breeds of cows. GMO technology for creating this and different when people change the gene, they always know exactlyGM Approval DatabaseWhat exactly this gene on his change and why. Modified varieties accounted for and described in detail, so they just do not have anything confidential (unless, of course, you do not believe in conspiracy theory).
Myth 3. It does not contain GMO - so helpful!
If your product is worth a sticker "No GMO," which means exactly one thing: no GMOs in the product (hopefully on the honesty of the manufacturer, and we believe it to be true).
This does not imply any statement about the benefits or dangers of the product. For example, a perfectly ordinary unmodified beets from my grandmother's garden can be "overfed" fertilizers so that will cause a slight poisoning. Or soluble noodles without GMO content will only be a source of empty calories. A pack of margarine, in which no trace of GMOs will be packed full of trans fats.
So to equate the absence of GMOs and the use of precisely it is impossible.
Myth 4. Around solid GMO!
Continuation of the myth have different: and so sick, so normal men do not, so morality falls. In fact, if you live in Russia, then around you it is not one of GMOs.
All manufacturers are requiredRF Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" label products, if the GMO content is higher than the 0.9% in it. All that is smaller - it is actually a trace amount.
At the same time in Russia to grow something from GMO seedsFederal Law "On Seed" It prohibited for sale, only for scientific purposesFederal Law "On Environmental Protection". Rospotrebnadzor even regularly takes samplesOn detection of undeclared GMOs in instant noodles and checks manufacturers.
So there is, in grocery stores are not solid GMOs.
Myth 5. GMOs cause infertility, cancer and allergies
It is generally considered that GMOs cause all at once. In fact, there is reason to suspect GMO only possible allergies in people who are prone to it. Because food allergies - it is the body's response to a foreign protein, in theory, any protein of GMO can cause it. Therefore, GMOs are tested for allergens and to test it on sale is not allowed. However, the challenge of allergies do an excellent job and the rest of proteins - of the products that have not undergone genetic modification.
Fears that GMOs cause other diseases, are unfoundedGenetically engineered foods. The data on infertility and cancer emerged from the work of Irina Ermakova, Gilles-Eric Seralini and other scientists. However, a careful examination it turned out that these works do not meet scientific criteria and data obtained during the experiments can not be considered reliableNoisy and Gamna about rats and GMOs. But the myth began to live.
Due to the fact that GMOs cause distrust among the population (in Russia, according to VTsIOM, more than 80% of respondents do They want to ban GMOs) and the technology innovation of GMO products is tested even more thoroughly than any other food. That's good, at least we know that the GMO products, which are present on the market are safeFrequently asked questions on genetically modified foods, As it is possible (we remember that even drinking water can cause death).
Myth 6. That's all for the money!
No, it's not a myth. GMOs are doing it for the money - that the product was cheaper to buy it as much as possible, to make it more goods and sell them as soon as possible. For example, one of the first GMO varieties of tomatoFlavr Savr It was designed so that no longer deteriorate. It did not add any foreign genes simply "turn off" one of his.
Of course, it was done for the sake of making a profit, because if vegetables stay fresh longer, easier to sell the whole lot.
So everything for the sake of money, true. However, as more efforts to grow crops using plant breeding, herbicides and non-GMO.
Myth 7. This publication is paid for
No, this article the author has written on the instructions of the editorial board. The editors and the author did not receive money from GMO producers.