How Safe is Genetically Modified Foods

Prince Charles of England once argued that transferring genes between utterly unrelated species “takes us into the realms that belong to God, and to God alone.” Sincere students of the Bible don’t, however, see that God disapproves of the selective breeding of plants and animals to sustain life of the booming population. Optimistic proponents of biotechnology say genetic engineering is a new green revolution. So despite ethical issues among scientists in lab coats and different views of the public, genetically modified or GM foods continue to feed humanity today.

At this very moment, in the United States, the GM food industry is awaiting yet another turning point in this venture as the Food and Drug Administration or FDA considers approving genetically modified Atlantic salmon for human consumption. This AquAdvantage salmon is the Atlantic salmon that was given antifreeze gene from the ocean pout and Chinook salmon’s growth hormone, speeding its growth twice as faster as the traditional Atlantic salmon. The genes inserted allowed AquAdvantage Salmon to grow speedily even during the cold months, which the Atlantic salmon lacks, allowing only 18 months until harvest instead of three years.

In a briefing, the FDA staff wrote, “Food from AquAdvantage Salmon… is as safe as food from other Atlantic salmon.” We have found no biologically relevant difference between food from AquaBounty Salmon and conventional Atlantic salmon. (Aquabounty is the company behind AquAdvantage salmon.) But because critical information is held behind closed doors, independent scientists, consumer groups, and environmental organizations are concerned about pending FDA decision, safety, and long term effect of future GM salmon fish farms to the wild salmon population.

While regulating agencies can’t keep up with the advancements of genetically engineered plants, critics of unintended irreversible results in the future would grow in much larger scale as regards genetically engineered animals. The concern is that immense since the decision of FDA will create a chain reaction that could boost industry of genetically engineered hogs, cows, and others.


Potential dangers of genetically altered salmon are yet to be discovered. Meanwhile, researchers warn about the potential dangers of foods from gm plants like corns, potatoes, apples, beet, beans, grains, and other crops. People eating such foods can be at risk of allergic reactions, increased toxicity, and resistance to antibiotics. Further, the development of GM crops can also affect the environment, possibly developing superweeds, demise of safe pesticides, and can harm other organisms that are dependent on plants.