The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods

             First off, what is genetically modified food? Eric Schlosser elaborates on this in the film, Food Inc. The source of all genetically modified food is genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms are plants, animals, or bacteria that have been genetically altered through the process of genetic modification. Transgenic food, genetically engineered food, and genetically modified food all refer to foods derived from genetically modified organisms. A genetically modified food is a food product which is or is made from a genetically altered organism. The most common sources of genetically modified foods are genetically modified soybeans, corn, and canola (Food Inc.). Genetic modification allows scientists to create characteristics and traits in organisms that could not naturally occur. All genetically engineered foods created so far are derived from genetically engineered plants. Without the advancement and development of techniques that allowed for the genetic modification of plants, genetically modified food could not have been created. Alan McHughen states, "A genetically modified organism's genetic material has been intentionally changed through the use of recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant DNA is the synthetically created DNA sequence that is produced when two DNA sequences from different organisms are combined within a test tube (9-10)." Essentially, genetically modified food is the test tube baby of the plant world. Scientists are able to splice genes and manipulate DNA to create a plant with the desired attributes.
             Is genetically modified food safe for us to eat on a daily basis? This, unfortunately, can only be answered by time. There have been tests and trials that say it is just as safe, or safer, than traditionally grown food. Michael Ruse points out that besides tests on individual genetically modified foods, many tests of transgenic plant safety as a whole have been done.