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The term “genetic modified organisms (GMO)” has become a controversial topic as its benefits for both food producers and consumers are companied by potential biomedical risks and environmental side effects. Increasing concerns from the public about GMO, particularly in the form of genetic modified (GM) foods, are aimed at the short- and long-lasting health problems that may result from this advanced biotechnology. Complex studies are being carried out around the world independently to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of GM foods. In this paper, we attempt to summarize up-to-date knowledge about the benefits and potential problems of GM food. We also introduce some recent technological developments in GM foods and their impact in the field.


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Genetically modified foods: A critical review of their promise and problems

Show Author's information Chen Zhanga( )Robert WohlhueterbHan Zhangc
Department of Gene and Signaling Expression, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States

Peer review under responsibility of Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

Abstract

The term “genetic modified organisms (GMO)” has become a controversial topic as its benefits for both food producers and consumers are companied by potential biomedical risks and environmental side effects. Increasing concerns from the public about GMO, particularly in the form of genetic modified (GM) foods, are aimed at the short- and long-lasting health problems that may result from this advanced biotechnology. Complex studies are being carried out around the world independently to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of GM foods. In this paper, we attempt to summarize up-to-date knowledge about the benefits and potential problems of GM food. We also introduce some recent technological developments in GM foods and their impact in the field.

Keywords: Safety, DNA, Genetic modified (GM) food, Transgenic, CRISPR-Cas9

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Publication history

Received: 11 March 2016
Accepted: 29 April 2016
Published: 03 June 2016
Issue date: September 2016

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© 2016 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

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