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GM food or Genetically Modified foods are those types of food which are genetically modified to get the desirable traits in that food. The gene introduced here is by genetic engineering and with great safety this is done. Although mutation breeding gives modified crops, this genetic engineered food is more precise than that. In early 1990 the journey of GM food started and from then on it is prevailing in many parts of the world.

Corn, Soybean and canola are the most common example of GM food and other kind of animal products are also developed these days to meet the demand of the 21st century. In 2006 the scientist engineered pig for producing omega-3 fatty acid that was done by the roundworm gene. Another example is the genetic engineered pigs that can absorb phosphorus of plant more effectively.

Genetically modified crops are produced through the deletion or insertion gene. Certain genes are responsible for expressing the specific traits and if we can insert our desired gene on the gene of that animal we can get desired traits. Horizontal gene transfer, a term used here which means to insert new gene in any animal or plant. This is done by the penetration of exogenous DNA for our desired reason. By using single syringe artificially or by a fired gun and is inserted to the intended host. Some vectors are used here to transfer gene e.g. Agrobacterium bacterium is commonly used.

The main criteria of GM food are to get more nutrients or the yield of GM plants or animals are more than the traditional plants or animal. Most of the times they don't need not to use more pesticide and so it provides healthier food tor us. So for a developing country GM crops and subsequently GM foods are needed to ensure food safety. The developed countries have taken initiative to produce genetically engineered products for example America took huge initiative from 1996 for increasing their production of cotton, corn and soybean.

The scientists are thinking to produce such kind of GM foods that will meet up not only our food demand but also it will automatically produce antibiotic inside it as well as it will ensure vaccine for the infectious disease like Cancer and HIV. With the advent of Biotechnology, Scientists have developed Golden rice which is enriched with Vitamin A and can solve the problem of Vitamin A. Biotechnology has developed technology that has surpassed the production of rice in the saline prone area. It has introduced salt tolerant variety as well as drought tolerant and so on.

With the advent of BT cotton the producer of cotton has overcome the problem associated with the pest and other problem. More GM products are coming in the upcoming days that will solve the existing problem of crops and animal. These days the scientist have invented such kind of GM foods that can compromise allergen problem. So the food that is risky for the allergy prone people would be modified through genetic engineering and the allergy prone people can take it easily and without any hesitation. So GM food is a must to overcome the existing problem of food.
Modern biotechnology is often equated with genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology, which began in the 1970s. This technology has been found by plant breeders to be a very precise tool in crop improvement. It has helped in breeding for higher yields, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses, improved nutritional quality, and improved processing, storage and post-harvest qualities.
Genetically Modified Food: It’s Importance in Human Life


Modification of genes is one of the most significant developments of recent times that allow determination of a particular set of genes, copied and inserted into some other crop plants with a high degree of specificity. With continuous change by mutation and recombination genes enable selection and breeding of crops consisting of the most desirable traits such as flavour or yield. In regard to food safety, genetically modified crops are at par with traditional crop breeds, although only few of them have been subjected to prior safety assessment yet considered being safe for consumption. However a thorough and advanced safety testing procedure that considers stepwise and holistic approach has been applied for GM foods. Moreover, both history and risk free use of the mother crop and that of the gene donor is also considered in detail. A comprehensive safety assessment is administered based on the concept known as ‘substantial equivalence’ which is embodied in every guidelines of international crop biotechnology. 


This furnishes the chassis for a relative approach for identification of resemblances and distinction between the GM group of product and its comparator with noted history of impregnable use. Constructing a specific outline of every step in the process of transformation, from mother to new crop, and by rigorous evaluation of the importance of the safety procedures, a detailed matrix of facts are constructed that help conclude safety of GM food or feed as compared to its conventional counterpart. Application of this approach with over 50 GM crops accepted worldwide, food and feed derived from genetically modified crops are considered safe and nutritionally beneficial as compared to traditional crops. Absence of any hostile effects occurring from consumption of GM crops cultivated on over 300 million cumulative acres for the last 5 years clarify the safety inferences.


Public criticism to genetically modified (GM) crops is widely considered due to public's ignorance towards the safety of the GM foods. With scientific analysis concluding no distinctive risks from GM crops, a policy of precise risk management from genuine sources has been recommended. Data from the Euro barometer survey of some qualitative interviews on biotechnology explored that it is not so much the perception of risks as the absence of benefits is the basis of the widespread rejection of GM foods and crops by the European public. Some people consider both the risks and benefits however; others consider benefit to dominate over risk.
Thank you for sharing. Really informative article