Biological and biomedical aspects of genetically modified food

Biomed Pharmacother. 2005 Dec;59(10):531-40. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2005.07.013. Epub 2005 Oct 21.

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) foods are the product of one of the most progressive fields of science-biotechnology. There are major concerns about GM foods in the public; some of them are reasonable, some of them are not. Biomedical risks of GM foods include problems regarding the potential allergenicity, horizontal gene transfer, but environmental side effects on biodiversity must also be recognized. Numerous methods have been developed to assess the potential risk of every GM food type. Benefits of the first generation of GM foods were oriented towards the production process and companies, the second generation of GM foods offers, on contrary, various advantages and added value for the consumer. This includes improved nutritional composition or even therapeutic effects. Recombinant probiotics and the principle of alternative gene therapy represent the latest approach of using GM organisms for biomedical applications. This article tries to summarize and to explain the problematic topic of GM food.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Biotechnology
  • Consumer Product Safety / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics
  • European Union
  • Food Analysis / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Food Analysis / methods
  • Food Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Food, Fortified
  • Food, Genetically Modified* / adverse effects
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Genetic Engineering*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Probiotics
  • Risk Assessment / legislation & jurisprudence