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?