Disadvantages of genetically modified food (CAJ)

When doing research on the disadvantages of genetically modified food, you stumble over numerous websites opposing to it and warning that it is harmful. However, this cannot be said for sure as there exists no evidence proving this statement.

The debate on the disadvantages of genetically modified food started in 1994 when a tomato with longer shelf life, called Flavr Savr, was developed by the Californian Company Calgene. But then, it was found that this modified vegetable caused stomach lesions in rats and lead to an on-going debate about GM food.

Even though, this negative effect can or could not be denied and the safety of such products is not verified yet, one must not forget that those were lab rats which were tested on the safety of such technology. It is still not clear if genetically modified food has the same negative impacts on human health.  

The following examples are just a few of the other innumerable examples on the internet opposing to GM food and describing it as dangerous. Again, it is important to note that the majority of them do not state those examples with 100 % certainty.

• Genetically modified food can cause cancer
•  It could raise new allergy outbreaks in humans
• The effects of genetic food engineering could be irreversible
•  GM food can disturb the natural flow of environments
• Strong likelihood of widespread infestation of diseases across species barriers

In conclusion, the disadvantages of genetically modified food could not be proven yet but many believe that this is still the case. Although perhaps this debate might take a long time to be solved, one should hope that there are not any unforeseen consequences that arise from using GM foods in the future because if they were, most of us would be affected by it.