GM Foods and Nanofoods

Genetically modified foods and nanofoods—produced in the laboratory and geared toward providing products that perfectly meet individual specifications—sound like selections from the Jetson's futuristic kitchen, don't they?

Of course, these products are already in our fields and on our grocery shelves. And many consumers recognize that the reality of these foods warrants more concern and caution than a fantasy in cartoon-land.

Note: Genetically Engineered (GE) food is another name for Genetically Modified (GM) food. The abbreviations GM (foods) and GE (foods) are also used.

What is a Genetically Modified Food? a Nanofood?

A genetically modified (GM) food is one that has had its genes altered by scientists. (If it's been a while since biology class: genes are the segments of DNA that differentiate living things; they're blueprints for organisms.) To genetically modify something, scientists take genes from a plant, animal, or virus and insert them into another organism, hoping to introduce a new characteristic. The goal is to produce an item that is improved in some way. So, for example, they might take a gene from an animal that thrives in cold weather and put it in a fruit that's sensitive to frost. Or they might add a gene to a corn plant to make it more nutritious, more resistant to herbicides, pests, or disease, or more heat and drought tolerant.

In altering the organism, scientists are altering its genetic makeup. Genetic engineers have no restrictions like those that nature provides; genetic combinations occur in the lab that are not possible in nature. (Nature doesn't allow for a fish to reproduce with a tomato for example.) And the results, many fear, are not predictable.

The first GM crops were corn, soybeans and cotton, which were altered to control weeds and insects. There are GM ingredients in processed foods in particular, because the food processing industry uses large quantities of corn and soy.

You may remember the Flav Savr tomato, which made its way to the grocery shelves in 1994. This was the first GM food product presented to consumers as such. The reception was cool, however; consumers reportedly didn't like the taste or appreciate the fact that it contained unidentified genes from another source.

Today, the U.S. currently allows the following GM crops in the food and feed supply: alfalfa, canola, chicory, corn, cotton, flax, papaya, potato, rice, soybean, squash, sugarbeet, and tomatoes. Up and coming are GM fish, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals (corn-based drugs and vaccines, for example).

While GMOs and nanofoods both originate in the laboratory, they're not the same thing. They do raise similar concerns among many consumers and scientists, though. The word "nano" comes from the Greek for "dwarf," and it refers to something with the size of 0.1 to 100 nanometers (the size of a virus). Nanotechnology involves restructuring things at the atomic or molecular level. Something is called a nanofood when nanoparticles produced by nanotechnology are used in its cultivation or processing. The purpose is to improve food safety, enhance nutrition and flavor, and cut costs.

Currently you can find nanoproducts in some: canola oils, slim shakes, breads, additives and supplements, lemonades and juices, margarines, packaging products and coatings.

Nanofoods promise the ability to customize foods to individuals' nutritional needs and tastes (by containing medicines or preferred flavors or colors, for example). At this point, though, the biggest push is in the packaging arena. Nano food packaging materials may extend food life, improve food safety, alert consumers that food is contaminated or spoiled, repair tears in packaging, and even release preservatives to extend the life of the food in the package.

What's Worrisome

Many food co-operative shoppers find all this biotechnology incompatible with the notion that when it comes to food, the more natural (unprocessed, untreated), the better. Consumers, some scientists, and consumer advocacy groups share concerns about the far-reaching impacts on human health and the environment of playing technologically with our food. Here are just some of the current and potential problems:

GM technology is burdensome for organic farmers, who can't detect contaminants in the seed they buy and who have to worry about contamination of crops from neighboring farms. According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, "Gone to Seed," laboratory tests found that seeds of traditional crops are contaminated with DNA from GE crops.
GM foods and nanofoods are largely untested. Producers—and the government—have been working under the assumption that if the original food products were safe, then the new product must also be safe. Since the organism has been significantly altered, however, there is no reason to make this assumption. (And since neither GM foods nor nanofoods have been labeled, they have not been monitored for negative affects among consumers.) Product testing is voluntary.
In addition, many are concerned that nanoparticles can more easily than larger particles travel into the bloodstream, cells, tissues, and organs—and that they may be toxic. We don't know how long they remain in the body and what harm they may cause.
GM foods and nanofoods are not labeled as such. Consumers who wish to avoid these food products are not being given this option.
Engineered fish may alter ecosystems, perhaps even causing extinction of some wild populations.
Beneficial insects may be killed along with crop-destructive insects, and new strains of immune pests may be introduced.
Introducing GM organisms into complex ecosystems may cause unforeseen problems, including global side effects.
GMOs may reduce the diversity of plants and jeopardize natural resources.
GMOs may result in the domination of world food production by a few big companies.
GMOs may introduce known or unknown allergens. If an individual is sensitive to something in the gene that has been introduced, then he or she will be allergic to the new product. In addition, it's possible that the new combination of genes could produce an entirely new allergen.

How to Get Involved

If you're concerned about the potential pitfalls of GMOs and nanofoods, you can support:

Mandatory testing of all genetically modified foods and nanofoods before they are allowed on the market.
Labeling of all nanofoods and foods that have been genetically modified or that use genetically modified organisms during growing, production, or packaging. People who may be sensitive to allergens as well as people who are concerned about the risks of GM foods and nanofoods should have the option of avoiding these foods. Without labeling, that's not possible.
Organic farmers. While there's no guarantee that genetically altered pollen won't make its way into organic crops, organic producers are committed to ensuring that the food you eat is grown without the use of GMOs.
Government regulations to protect the food supply and the environment from contamination by genetically modified crops.
Strengthened government oversight of the environmental risks of engineered foods.
Corporate liability for any damages resulting from the use of GMOs and nanofoods.
The establishment of a reservoir of pure, non-engineered seeds, as recommended by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

By the way, billions of dollars of taxpayers' money currently subsidizes GM crops, so if you have concerns, make them known to your government officials.

Consumer food co-operatives perform an important role in educating consumers about food technology. And consumers who want to know what they're buying, eating, and supporting look to co-ops to make that happen. As members of co-ops, they know that they can be facilitators.

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