The Plant World and Genetic Engineering Part III Public Issues

Whoa! Who is Keeping us Safe? Human Safety Stringent evaluation of safety of GM foods? -- The regulation of GMOs in Canada is shared by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Health Canada is responsible for Human safety and conducts tests regarding the safety of the food. Testing includes an evaluation of how the food was made (be it synthetically, or via genetic modification), how the novel, modified food differs from the non-modified version, and also the potential allergenicity of the modified food. For more information regarding the safety of biotech foods, see the CFIA website; http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toc/bioteche.shtml

Whoa! Who is Keeping us Safe? Human Safety Stringent evaluation of safety of GM foods How was the product made? Is the GM product different from the non-modified product (Composition and Nutritional value)? Is there potential for toxicity of allergic reactions? The regulation of GMOs in Canada is shared by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Health Canada is responsible for Human safety and conducts tests regarding the safety of the food. Testing includes an evaluation of how the food was made (be it synthetically, or via genetic modification), how the novel, modified food differs from the non-modified version, and also the potential allergenicity of the modified food. For more information regarding the safety of biotech foods, see the CFIA website; http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toc/bioteche.shtml

What about allergic reactions? All new food products (GM and non-GM) must undergo strict testing Testing includes: Potential for an allergic response Comparison of the food versus all known allergens Many consumers are worried that a new product on the market will have potential to be allergenic. All GM food products are subjected to allergenicity testing that includes a comparison of the composition of the novel food to all known allergens and animal feeding trials of the novel food.

Safety Non-human effects Stringent Safety testing Environmental impact – field trials Impact on Livestock – feeding trials The CFIA is responsible for the regulation of the non-human effects of GMOs as well as any novel-food or crop item. Strict safety testing is conducted on the novel item. This testing includes an environmental impact assessment and a livestock impact assessment that may include such things as feeding trials. It is essential that all GM crops (along with any novel cultivars) be registered under the Seeds Act .

Safety Non-human effects Stringent Safety testing -- The CFIA is responsible for the regulation of the non-human effects of GMOs as well as any novel-food or crop item. Strict safety testing is conducted on the novel item. This testing includes an environmental impact assessment and a livestock impact assessment that may include such things as feeding trials. It is essential that all GM crops (along with any novel cultivars) be registered under the Seeds Act .

Are GM Foods Labeled? Currently approximately 70% of foodstuffs in North America contain components derived from GM crops Voluntary labelling Labeled can of tomatoes in Britain Source: Nature, April 22, 1999 The debate over whether or not GM foods should be labeled has been going on for quite some time. Labeling the whole food as transgenic (for example the Flavr Savr tomato) would be simple enough to do. Unfortunately, it would be much more difficult for producers to labels all foods containing components derived from GM crops as such. Nonetheless, this is an issue that should not be taken lightly. Many individuals feel that they have the right to chose what food they are consuming, and this should include the ability to choose whether or not they eat any food containing GM components. In a knowledgeable, free market society, it would perhaps be in the producers’ best interest to consider giving the consumer this choice. If the product is truly better than the non-modified version, theoretically, sales should respond accordingly. Currently, labeling of transgenic foods in Canada is voluntary

Public Acceptance What is it? What do I get out of it? Is it safe? Do I have choice? Is it natural? There are many different areas involved with public acceptance of GM foods

Public Acceptance What do I get? Much of the current products directly benefit farmers What would the reaction be if a non-allergenic peanut or edible vaccine was produced? Perhaps resources should be devoted to “useful” products As before, the creation of

Public Acceptance Is it safe? Do I have a choice? Safety testing is stringent, but short term only Results made public? Labeling Do I have a choice? Labeling products would give consumers the choice to use or not to use

Summary Transgenic plants have potential to impact many areas, including our food supply and our healthcare system There is no doubt that the technology works It is essential that proper testing of all products be carried out prior to commercialization

Summary Labeling products would allow consumers to choose what they want to consume Educate yourself!