4 ms·
Genetic modification in a laboratory is not exactly the same as selective breeding as it can easily bring in a gene from a different species causing unexpected
by bloak 4y ago
Genetic modification in a laboratory is not exactly the same as selective breeding as it can easily bring in a gene from a different species causing unexpected allergic reactions to the corresponding protein. This has caused at least one death of a human. I'm not opposed to all genetic modification, in fact I think it's generally a good thing, but the business has to be carefully regulated. Industry claims that it's totally safe are clearly inaccurate when someone has already been killed by it.
There's no point in having strict rules on food ingredients and labelling if manufacturers are allowed to, in effect, include any chemical whatsoever that can be built biologically: all they have to do is genetically engineer it into wheat (say) and write "wheat" in the ingredients. And the consumer has no idea what they're getting.
- ejensler 4y agoYou've been misled about GMO causing an allergic reaction death: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gmoverdose/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gmoverdose/. I suggest you do more research on the benefits and risks of GMOs from more reputable sources. From my understanding, the primary risks of GMOs are less to do with human health and more about environmental risks, such as creating superweeds that can outcompete native plants or negeative effects on soil microbes.
- brookst 4y agoI'm skeptical of the claim that a protein included by GMO was both 1) the cause of a death, and 2) could not have been produced with traditional selective breeding. Can you source those claims?