What are Genetically Modified Foods?

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Familiar foods as diverse as bread. Tomato puree, ham, cheese, soup and biscuits may have been altered in an invisible way using a radical new technology. Genetically modified foods look and taste just like the foods we've always eaten, but have been scientifically modified for 'improvement'.

Should we be delighted or worried?

The proponents of genetically modified foods are a fabulous development, which could bring untold benefits. Opponents see it as an untested technology careering out of control, which could have disastrous and irreversible consequences.

Whom should we believe?

Simply put, genetically modified foods are different to conventional ones because scientists have taken genetic material (DNA) from one species and transferred it into another. This enables the transfer of a desired characteristic between unrelated species, or between plants and animals. For example, an 'antifreeze' gene which appears naturally in Arctic fish has been introduced into tomatoes and strawberries, thus making them freeze-resistant; and pigs have been genetically engineered with a human gene introduced to make them grow more effectively.

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The advocates of genetic engineering say it could be a solution to the world's most intractable food problems. Genetically modified foods will be beneficial to everyone,' says Jackie Dowthwaite, spokeswoman for the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents the UK's food processing industry. The FDF believes that by using genetic engineering, or 'biotechnology' as it is also known, scientists will be able to work miracles. These include making crops resistant to disease, thus helping to feed the world and reducing use of pesticides; increasing protein and vitamin levels to make food more nutritious; decreasing fat content to make food ...

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