GM foods - addressing public concerns

Plants have been cultivated by Man for thousands of years. Crops would be selected for improved yields, growth or specific food characteristics, and as a result Man produced new varieties of plants faster than would have occurred in the natural environment. Genetic modification of crops represents Man's most recent attempt to breed new characteristics into crops. These include pest and disease resistance, increased herbicide tolerance, improved yield and quality, and drought/frost resistance.¹ The term 'genetically modified' (GM) refers to the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) by using modern biotechnology rather than by natural methods. Genetically modified food thus refers to any food product that contains materials derived from an organism that has been genetically modified. For food derived from GM crops, benefits can include increased shelf-life and improved nutritional content. Here we reflect on the concerns the public has with GM foods and what scientists and Government are doing to address these.