Probability of Exposure in Daily Life Nearly 70% of Genetically Modified Foods, Do You Accept It?

Yesterday, before the opening of the science popularization forum held at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, there was a very interesting “introduction”—many listeners voted for genetically modified food: is it supportive or opposed, or is it unclear? From the scene, there are few votes for yes. Is GM food really "let me happy let me worry"?

Another "green revolution"

The so-called transgenic technology refers to the separation of a certain gene from the "donor" organism and the implantation of another "receptor" organism so that the latter has certain characteristics of the former. At present, genetically modified food technology is widely used in the agricultural field. For example, there are cotton, tomato, corn, and green papaya varieties that have been approved in China. Compared with traditional cross breeding methods, transgenic plants can produce varieties that meet people's needs in a shorter period of time, with high yield, high disease resistance and other characteristics. Therefore, it was hailed as another "green revolution" following the hybrid technology.

This new technology has now entered the homes of ordinary people. Academician Chen Xiaoya, dean of the Shanghai Institute of Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, estimates that if we count the deep-processed products of human genetically modified plants, the probability of exposure to genetically modified foods in our daily lives will be nearly 70%.

Is the insecticide gene "killing"?

At the same time, the negative effects of genetic modification have also caused more and more common people's concerns. Someone asked: “If rice that has been implanted with a certain insect-resistant gene is processed into rice for human consumption, will this gene be converted to 'kill' people?” said Lu Baorong, chairman of the International Society for Biosafety Research and a professor at Fudan University. The specificities of different organisms are not the same. The body pH and even the body structure of insects and humans are very different, so the above-mentioned concerns are completely unnecessary. So far, there have been no cases of GM foods affecting human health.

However, scientists also worry about the impact of genetically modified plants on biodiversity—whether the pests will be killed or the related birds in the food chain will also be extinct; the implantation of certain genes “could deal with” certain types of pests. Another kind of beneficial insects will not be affected by the "connection"...

China's inspections tightened

What can reassure Chinese consumers is that the genetically modified foods on the domestic market have undergone rigorous testing and have clear signs. Zhang Dabing, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, introduced that China adopts a “zero threshold” mandatory labeling system. Even if there is a little genetically modified ingredients in the product, it must be noted. In contrast, the US uses a voluntary label with a 5% threshold. That is, if the genetically modified composition does not exceed 5%, it does not need to be labeled. Even if it exceeds 5%, it is up to the manufacturer to decide whether to label it. Many foreign companies also reflect that China has the strictest control over imported genetically modified products, and companies must submit much more materials than other countries.

To ensure the safety of genetically modified foods, Chinese scientists are constantly looking for faster and more accurate detection technologies. It is now possible to complete the entire process from sampling to detection within 4-5 hours. Zhang Dabing said: "Our goal is that citizens can also detect in their own kitchens!" reporter Zhang Disi