Introduction to GMOs:Myths and realities

Masami Takeuchi, Ph.D.Food Safety Officer

GMOs• Biotechnology: a wide range of

technologies• GMO is one of them (plants,

microorganisms and animals/fish)• Concerns:

– Environmental health– Human health (food safety)– Socio-economic issues

GMO production• Total area of GM crops had risen

Share of countries

Distribution of GM crops in total GM crop areas

Proportion of GM crop as a % of total individual area under the crop

Commercialization of GM crops• 29 countries planted commercialized

GM crops in 2010• Additional 30 countries have granted

regulatory approvals for GM crops for import, food and feed use and for release into the environment, since 1996

Regulatory issues• Regulations and policies on GMOs vary

by country– Food safety assessment– Environmental safety assessment– Consideration of socio-economic issues– Authorization process– Control and monitoring policy (including

inspection and detection)

Food safety principles• Are potatoes safe?• Is water safe?• Is maize safe?• Is chicken safe?• Food is not inherently safe!• Presumption of safety• History of safe use

– No adverse effect– Knowledge and experience to mitigate hazards

Traditional food safety assessment• Discrete chemical entity• Established studies identifying and

characterizing hazard• “Safe” levels of exposure• Risk of adverse health effect and its

impact known

Whole Foods = Chemicals• Traditional risk assessment not

designed for whole foods• Whole foods differ from chemicals!

How to assess “NEW” and “WHOLE” foods?

• New foods or added substances with no presumption of safety

• How to approach novel whole foods?• Traditional risk assessment does not fit

Questions so far?