Animals fed Genetically Modified Crops are safe to eat, according to a New Report
Food products derived from livestock that have eaten crops created through biotechnology do not present a risk to consumers, according to a new report released by a nonprofit consortium of scientists.
A three member task force of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) wrote the report, which looked at the regulatory assessments and evaluated the safety data of food products.
Founded in 1972, CAST is a consortium of 38 scientific and professional societies as well as company and nonprofit members and more than 1,200 individual members. The group brings together agriculture experts from around the world to assemble, interpret, and communicate scientific information.
The task force report found that meat, eggs, and milk produced by farm animals that were fed genetically modified crops were as safe, wholesome, and nutritious as similar products produced by animals that consumed conventional crops.
According to Richard H. Phipps, chairman of the panel that wrote the report, production of crops using agricultural biotechnology, including corn, soybean, canola, and cotton, has increased dramatically during the last ten years, and biotech crops serve as an important feedstuff in livestock production systems. Because animal products represent about one-sixth of food energy and one-third of food protein that a human needs, it was essential, according to Mr. Phipps, to “consider the safety of meat, milk, and eggs obtained from animals fed crops derived from modern biotechnology.”
The three member task force reviewed information from the late 1990s through 2005, including regulatory assessments on genetically modified crops. The panel also looked at results of feeding studies in farm animals and examined what happens when animals consumer various proteins and DNA, among other areas. The report also stated that evidence indicating the possible presence of plant DNA fragments in the tissue of animals also did not present a risk to consumers. In addition, the reports said the regulatory process regarding genetically modified foods currently in place have been effective in safeguarding public health. Further, the report recommends that future research continue in order to ensure continued safety and nutritional value of feeds in “current and future crops derived from modern biotechnology.”
The report is part of a series on animal agriculture’s future through biotechnology, according to John M. Bonner, executive vice-president of CAST.
With news of this report, environmental advocacy groups and opponents of biotechnology reaffirmed their stance that people not eat genetically modified products. These organizations claim that the testing of genetically modified foods is “inadequate” and that people can not be confident about the safety of such foods.
Despite this opposition, the report is expected to be presented at international science symposiums throughout the year.
Since the first genetically modified crops were introduced commercially over ten years ago, there have been countless studies and reports, including last year’s World Health Organization (WHO) report, that have shown that genetically modified foods are safe and pose no risk to consumers. This report from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology reaffirms this statement. Despite the assertions made by environmental advocates and opponents about these foods, I believe that farmers will continue to use biotech crops to feed their livestock and consumers will continue to eat said foods. Biotechnology is not going to go away because a select group of individuals feel it isn’t safe. The benefits that biotechnology provides clearly outweigh the hypothetical risks. It’s too important for the future and betterment of the world.
