Are these so-called GMO foods really dangerous? (Genetically Modified Foods) Let's find out for sure!

Have you ever seen 'GMO-Free' written on some food packages when you go to the supermarket? When we see that, we just think, "Hmm... so are other foods GMO? Does that mean they're not good?" Some people get a little scared when they hear the word GMO, because they don't know exactly what it is. Some people think that these are lab-made, unnatural, and dangerous things. So, today we're going to talk about what these Genetically Modified Foods, or as we all know them, GMOs, really are, and how they affect our health.

What is GMO in simple terms?

Okay, this isn't as complicated as you might think. Simply put, a genetically modified food is one in which the genes of the plant, animal, or microorganism from which the food comes have been altered in a laboratory.

Do you remember how we used to breed mango trees in our homes? We would take a branch from a mango tree that had a very sweet taste and graft it onto another mango tree that was resistant to disease. Then we would get a new mango tree that had both of those good qualities. That's what happens here, but with much more advanced technology.

What scientists do here is find a gene in an organism's DNA (that is, the part that contains the complete blueprint of that organism) that is related to a certain characteristic that they want. Imagine that there is a plant that cannot be destroyed by insects. Scientists take only the gene that is resistant to that insect from that plant and insert it into a crop like the corn we grow. Then that new corn plant grows with the ability to resist those insects. This technology is called genetic engineering.

Why do we change food this way?

There are several main reasons for this. All of this is done to make our food production more efficient and easier.

• Protect crops: The biggest reason is to minimize damage to crops. This technology is used to protect crops from insects, various plant diseases, and conditions like drought. Also, crops are made to be resistant to chemicals used to control weeds, that is, herbicides . Then only weeds are eliminated and only the crop remains.
• Reduce food prices: This way, the harvest can be increased and damage to crops can be reduced, which helps to control food prices in the market to a certain extent.
• Increase nutritional value: Sometimes this technology is also used to increase the nutritional value of a food. For example, to make it healthier , without trans fats.Soybeans have been developed that contain healthy oils. Another great example is the genetically modified rice called "Golden Rice." It has been enriched with a nutrient called beta carotene (which our body converts to vitamin A). This has been a great help to children in developing countries who are at risk of blindness due to vitamin A deficiency.
• Future uses: In the future, we hope to use this technology to remove allergens from foods, modify nutrient profiles, and make the production process more efficient.

What are genetically modified foods?

There are many genetically modified crops in the world. Some of the products we use every day are made from these. You can get a clear idea about it from the table below.

In addition, other crops such as apples, eggplants, and pumpkins have also been genetically modified.

Is it really safe to eat these GMO foods?

Okay, now let's get to the most important question. Is eating these good for the body? Is it bad? There are different opinions on this.

What do major organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) say?

Many of the world's leading health agencies, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), say that genetically modified foods currently on the market are as safe as regular foods . They point out that the nutritional value of these foods is the same as regular foods and that there is no evidence yet that eating them poses any additional health risks.

What are the issues raised by critics?

On the other hand, some scientists and activists are raising questions about this. They say:

• These can cause new allergies.
• Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can develop.
• They also say that there is not enough research yet on the long-term effects of these. Since most of the current studies are limited to a few months, they believe it is impossible to say exactly what will happen if you eat these for years.

So, you can see there are two sides to this. But the current accepted view is that the GMO foods currently on the market do not pose a health risk.

How do we know if a food is GMO?

This varies from country to country. In countries like the United States, GMO food labeling is now mandatory. That label may include things like:

• A special symbol is set aside for that purpose.
• A scannable QR code.
• A website address or phone number.
• Mentioning words like "Bioengineered" or "Genetically Modified Organism" on the package.

If you want to avoid GMO foods completely, one of the best ways to do that is to buy products that are certified "organic." This is because to be certified organic, the product must be free of GMOs. You can also choose products that are clearly labeled "GMO-Free."

Ultimately, whether or not to choose GMO foods is a personal decision, and it's important to be aware of both sides of the issue before making that decision.