How are Genetically modified foods dangerous?

Answer 1

It will take years of research before we know what dangers or ill effects genetically modified foods will have on us. But fear not research is being done ,its just to soon to tell.

Answer 2

Tough and algid discussion point there.

1) You can put in any gene you want inside a plant, a gene from HIV virus if u want, and it would not be harmful to you (the gene), cuz you cannot incorporate it to your genome (and you digest it anyways)

2) if the product of the gene is a protein (which is always, in the case of transgenics, including pesticidal genes) it will not harm you, cuz you digest it.

3) If this protein (or set of proteins) that are expressed in the transgenic form a metabolic pathway that results in the production of a weird molecule, it will only be harmful if it is specificaly toxic to mammals. But the genes introduced are necesarily very well known and studied, so there's little chance of that happening.

4) If the gene gives the plant an advantage over the natural population of theese plants, there could be an ecological problem if it become an invasive plant. And it could be serious. (this particular aspect is not usually much looked into before aproving the product)

5) The big biotech companies can easily create technologies that "enslave" the producer (they cannot harvest viable seed from the crops, so the must buy the seed to the company every year, best known as Roundup tehnology). This could be a problem in poor countries (like mine) and needs a close watch from governments so big companies make fair deals (which doesn't happen much)

6) If the gene is a proteic pesticide (of biological origin) it can originate resistance among pests. an amount of the crop be non-transgenic, so the resistance doesn't spread quickly causing ecological unbalance (same as the case for antibiotics).

7) If the gene pases from one comercial crop to the wild populations (via polinization) it could affect the environment. (depending on the gene of course, if it's the carotene gene it is absolutely inocuous). This transmission is however very difficult.

8) Transgenics wont make your kid be born with three hands. They have been in the market for over 25 years, ecologists just made a big fuss about them some years ago.

9) The only real problem that i see with transgenics could come from the ecological viewpoint. Most ecologists, however, don't really know what they're talking about, so people don't take them seriuoly.

That's my humble answer to your question, it is the most i have figured out about the subject

Answer 3

I've been wondering about this as well. The only thing I could think of was if while trying to make a food resistant to a disease, you accidentally made it cause more allergies or even make it toxic to people.

Answer 4

When you mix a crocodile with a watermellon. It's still green, but it will want to eat you.