Genetically modified (GM) foods: are they safe or harmful? While regulatory authorities have approved GM food that is on the market, some people are concerned that there is a risk of harm. Most foods we eat may contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). If you live in Europe, avoiding GM foods is easier, since laws require labeling. In the U.S. and Canada, however, food manufacturers are not required to label their food as genetically modified or not. Here are some guidelines for steering clear of GM foods in your diet, if that is your choice.
Buy food labeled 100% organic. The U.S. and Canadian governments do not allow manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been genetically modified or been fed genetically modified feed. You may find that organic food is more expensive and different in appearance from conventional products.
Also, just because something says "organic," it does not mean that it doesn't contain GMOs. In fact, it can still contain up to 30% GMOs, so be sure the label says 100% organic.
- Trusted Organic Certification institutions include QAI, Oregon Tilth, and CCOF. Look for their mark of approval on the label of the product. USDA Organic standards pale in comparison. Do not consider a product 100% organic if it is only USDA Organic Certified.
This applies to eggs as well. Eggs labeled "free-range," "natural," or "cage-free" are not necessarily GE-free; look for eggs that are 100% organic.[3]
Recognize fruit and vegetable label numbers.
If it is a 4-digit number, the food is conventionally produced.
If it is a 5-digit number beginning with an 8, it is GM. However, do not trust that GE foods will have a PLU identifying it as such, because PLU labeling is optional.[4]
If it is a 5-digit number beginning with a 9, it is organic.[5]
- Purchase beef that is 100% grass-fed. Most cattle in the U.S. are grass-fed but spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots in which they may be given GM corn, the purpose of which is to increase intramuscular fat and marbling. If you're looking to stay away from GMOs, make sure the cattle were 100% grass-fed or pasture-fed (sometimes referred to as grass-finished or pasture-finished).
The same applies to meat from other herbivores, such as sheep.
There is also the slight possibility that the animals were fed GM alfalfa, although this is less likely if you buy meat locally.
With nonruminants like pigs and poultry that cannot be 100% grass-fed, it's better to look for meat that is 100% organic.
- Seek products that are specifically labeled as non-GMO or GMO-free. It was once rare to find products labeled as such, but thanks to organizations such as the Non-GMO Project,[6] they are becoming more common. You can also research websites that list companies and foods that do not use genetically modified foods,[7] but be aware that some information is often incomplete, and conflicting interests may not be declared.
- Shop locally. Although more than half of all GM foods are produced in the U.S.,[8] most of it comes from large industrial farms. By shopping at farmers' markets, signing up for a subscription from a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, or patronizing a local co-op, you may be able to avoid GM products and possibly save money at the same time.
More and more small farms are offering grains and meat directly to customers, in addition to the usual fare (vegetables, fruit, herbs, etc.).
Shopping locally may also give you the opportunity to speak to the farmer and find out how he or she feels about GMOs and whether or not they use them in their own operation.
- Buy whole foods. Favor foods that you can cook and prepare yourself, rather than foods that are processed or prepared (e.g., anything that comes in a box or a bag, including fast food). What you lose in convenience, you may recover in money saved and satisfaction gained, as well as increased peace of mind. Try cooking a meal from scratch once or twice a week; you may enjoy it and decide to do it more often.
- Grow your own food. This way, you know exactly what was grown and what went into growing it.
转基因玉米虽然色彩鲜艳，却严重损害食用者的内脏器官。（网络图片）
加拿大非转基因食品（Non-GMO）业者及专家，6月8日在一项展览会上表示，实验已经证明转基因食品对人体有害，其实，早在1998年秋，苏格兰Rowett研究所的普兹泰教授（Pusztai）就在电视上公开宣称，他的实验证明，实验鼠肾脏、胸腺和脾脏生长异常或萎缩或生长不当，脑部萎缩，多个重要器官也遭到破坏，免疫系统变弱。1998年，欧盟国家通过法律，把转基因农产品作业严格限制在实验室环境或封闭区域之内。2009年12月一期《生物科学国际期刊》上发表的研究结果表明，三种孟山都公司的转基因玉米能让老鼠的肝脏、肾脏和其它器官受损。
加拿大都市网6月9日的报导称，加拿大非转基因食品（Non-GMO）业者及专家，6月8日在一项展览会上表示，实验已经证明转基因食品对人体有害，联邦政府应立法监管，要求所有商品必须标明是否含转基因成分。部份消费者表示，考虑到转基因食品的安全问题后，他们愿多花点钱购买市场上的有机（organic）蔬果。
加拿大前农业部官员、基因学家弗兰（Thierry Vrain）在演讲中指出，通过在动物身上的实验已经证明，转基因食品与肝脏疾病、神经疾病、免疫力失调等有密切关系。他除了批评加拿大政府监管不力，同时建议消费者避免转基因食品，并在能力范围内尽量挑选有机食品：“转基因食物其实并非食品，而是化学物。研究表明，转基因玉米与大豆含有毒素或者致过敏性的蛋白质。”
另据相关报导，与转基因食品对人体有害的部分事实有：
一、1997-1998年，英国等实验分析发现转基因食品导致某些动物健康异常和种植区域出现异常。英国政府资助的研究显示，食用了转基因土豆的老鼠出现了肝脏癌症早期症状、睾丸发育不全、免疫系统和神经系统部分萎缩等异常现象。
二、1997德国农民克劳纳开始种植先正达Bt－176玉米试验田，头三年，玉米长势喜人、毫无虫害，当2001年，他将这种玉米用来喂养母牛时，牛开始剧烈腹泻并停止产奶，最后，他总共损失了70头牛。
三、1998年秋，苏格兰Rowett研究所的普兹泰教授（Pusztai）就在电视上公开宣称，他的实验证明，实验鼠肾脏、胸腺和脾脏生长异常或萎缩或生长不当，脑部萎缩，多个重要器官也遭到破坏，免疫系统变弱。
四、1998年，欧盟国家通过法律，把转基因农产品作业严格限制在实验室环境或封闭区域之内。
五、2004年先正达研发的转基因Bt-176玉米爆发丑闻，德国黑森州北部农民从1997年开始试种Bt-176玉米，并用作奶牛的补充饲料，2000年当农民开始提高该玉米在饲料中的比例后，所有的牛都死了。2004年瑞士联邦技术研究院踢球植物学研究所海尔比克教授发现，Bt-176中的用来毒杀欧洲玉米螟的Bt毒素，无法分解，最终毒死了奶牛。
六、2004年7月28日，美国国家科学院完成了特别专题研究并发布研究报告，指明：转基因食品可导致难以预见的主基因（Host DNA）破坏，而用现有的审核和监测系统，美国各政府机构不能发现这些破坏。美国国家科学院列举了审核转基因食品产品的时候所没发现的异常：
1．食用了转基因玉米等转基因食物的老鼠，出现血细胞和肝脏细胞异常、肝脏比没食用的更重；
2．食用了转基因玉米的猪，在美国中西部农场出现假孕或不育；
3．食用了转基因玉米饲料的母牛，在德国实验农场非正常死亡；
4．使用转基因饲料的鸡的死亡率比使用自然饲料的死亡率高出两倍；
5．英国市场出现转基因大豆食品后，居民的过敏症上升了50%，巴西出现同样状况；
6．被长期认为“安全”的转基因玉米，其效果并非如推广者说的那么理想，例如，菲律宾食用者出现了皮肤、小肠和呼吸系统的异常反应。
七、2005年11月16日，澳大利亚联邦科学与工业研究组织（CSIRO）发表的一篇研究报告显示，一项持续4个星期的实验表明，被喂食了转基因豌豆的小白鼠的肺部产生了炎症，小白鼠发生过敏反应，并对其他过敏原更加敏感，并据此叫停了历时10年、耗资300万美元的转基因项目。
八、2009年12月22日，法国生物技术委员会最终宣布，转基因玉米"弊大于利"，这等于转基因作物种植在法国的永久废除。
九 、2009年12月一期《生物科学国际期刊》上发表的研究结果表明，三种孟山都公司的转基因玉米能让老鼠的肝脏、肾脏和其它器官受损。三种转基因玉米品种，一种设计能抗广谱除草剂（即所谓的Roundup-ready），另外两种含有细菌衍生蛋白质，具有杀虫剂特性。这项研究利用了孟山都自己的原始数据。
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