[Paper Keywords] Genetically modified foods, genetically modified foods have gradually entered our daily lives, and food safety is closely related to human health [Abstract]. With the rapid development of genetically modified technology and its expanding scope of application in agricultural production this year, genetically modified agricultural products and their safety have gradually become the focus of attention. Genetically Modified Foods Genetically Modified Organisms (Genetically Modified Objects, GMOs) are also known as Genetically Modified Foods (Genetically Modified Foods, GMFs). Genetically modified food is a product of modern biotechnology. Using modern molecular biology technology, the genes of certain organisms are transferred to other species and their genetic material is transformed. The genes of certain organisms are transferred to other species and their genetic material is transformed. Transition to target traits, nutritional quality, and consumer quality. Genetically modified foods or foods produced from raw materials are genetically modified foods. Genetically modified food GMC food (such as genetically modified tomatoes) or genetically modified soybeans are produced at the stage where GMC is used as raw material for processed foods (such as soy milk). Genetically modified technology has brought huge benefits to mankind, but it also has some potential dangers. In 1994, the first patient in the development of genetically modified food was GMF (genetically modified tomatoes) born in the United States. At least 13 countries have cultivated genetically modified food with an area of ??30.3 million hectares, 68% in the United States, followed by Argentina with 10 million hectares, accounting for 23%; Canada with 3 million hectares, 7%, and 500,000 hectares, accounting for 1%. The U.S. Food and Substances Genetically Modified Food Administration (FDA) identified 43 varieties and more than 60% of processed foods with genetically modified ingredients, accounting for $10 billion in sales of genetically modified foods; showing that most consumers in the U.S. In Canada, two countries that accept genetically modified foods, only 27% of consumers eat genetically modified foods that may pose health hazards. China has approved six genetically modified foods, including three: antiviral bell peppers, antiviral tomatoes and delayed ripening tomatoes for commercialization. With the research and development of genetically modified foods in my country, there will be more and more varieties of genetically modified foods in China. Currently, research is mainly focused on developing genetically modified rice and food for genetically modified fish. According to the source of genetically modified foods, they can be divided into plant-derived genetically modified foods, animal-derived GMFH and microbial-derived genetically modified foods. At this stage, the main plant-derived genetically modified foods, foods or food ingredients include: genetically modified soybeans, genetically modified corn, genetically modified tomatoes, genetically modified rapeseed, and genetically modified potatoes. The world's largest planting area of ??genetically modified soybeans is 25.8 billion hectares, accounting for 58% of global genetically modified foods. 2. The characteristics of genetically modified foods compared with traditional foods: Traditional foods are produced through natural selection or artificial cross-breeding. The basic principles of GM technology and traditional subspecies hybridization, as well as recent developments, are not substantially different, but GM technology for the production of genetically modified foods is based on genetic manipulation at the molecular level (through recombinant DNA technology, genetic modification or transfer), thereby being more refined, compact, and with greater controllability. People can use modern biotechnology to change the genetic traits of organisms and create a new species, which does not exist in nature. For example, you can use herbicide-resistant food plants to kill pests, food plants, and food plants to produce human vaccines. It mainly has the following characteristics: (1) Low temperature and high output. The cost is 40% to 60% of traditional products, and the output is increased by at least 20%, sometimes even dozens of times. (2) It has the characteristics of resistance to grass, insects and stress. On the one hand, it can reduce agricultural production costs, and on the other hand, it can increase crop yields. The GMC in 2000 was 44.2 million hectares, of which herbicide resistance accounted for 74%; insect resistance accounted for 8.3 million hectares, accounting for 19%; insect resistance accounted for 32.8 million hectares of herbicide resistance, accounting for 7%. (3) Foods that improve product quality and nutritional value. For example, grains with lysine content can be increased through genetically modified technology to increase their nutritional value, and certain results have been achieved by improving wheat gluten content and improving baking performance (BEI) through transferred genetic technology. (4) Performance enhancements in fresh.

For example, antisense DNA technology is used to inhibit enzyme activity, delay ripening and soften antisense RAN transgenic tomatoes, and extend storage and preservation time. 3. Safety of genetically modified food

In 1998, Professor Arpad Pusztiai from Scotland and the United Kingdom fed rats and mice with genetically modified potatoes, which caused abnormal organ growth and reduced body weight and organ weight. It was announced on television in the fall of 1998 that the immune system was compromised. has caused an international sensation. It was the first genetically modified food, and some scientific evidence has called it into question, sparking a debate about the safety of genetically modified foods in the UK and around the world. Although, the Royal Society announced in May 1999 that the study was "riddled with holes" and could not draw conclusions about genetically modified potatoes for biohealth.

In 1998, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved a so-called "terminator" technology patented by the USDA Agriculture and DPL (Delta and Pineland) (Terminator Technology)," The "Terminator" technology patent has caused strong international repercussions. The technology is not an ordinary technology. Using this technology, you can crop the seeds that are sterile in the first year of planting, and in the second year of planting, the seeds will automatically die. "Terminator" technology is a terminator gene inserted into the plant genome of genetically modified crop seeds. The seed company sprays the seeds on the surface of the seeds before sale to induce farmers to sow, and the seeds can grow into normal plants to bear mature seeds. The effect of the inducer, however, terminates the insertion of the gene that will be activated when the seeds begin to mature, producing toxins that kill the embryos of the seeds, so the seeds harvested in the second year cannot germinate normally, but the fat, protein and other aspects of the seeds is completely normal.

A spokesman for the United States Department of Agriculture claimed that "Terminator" technology is a genetic engineering technology that protects intellectual property rights. At a meeting held in Washington in October 1998, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) explicitly banned "Terminator" technology, the main reason being: the appearance of seeds produced by Terminator technology cannot be identified and can easily lead to irreparable losses; unintentional biosecurity risks through pollen.

A research team from Cornell University in the United States reported in May 1999 that 44% of monarch butterflies died after transfecting the food insecticidal protein gene (Bt) with Bacillus thuringiensis corn pollen. It shows that genetically modified food may have safety risks. Genetically modified foods have sparked widespread debate among scientists. Bt corn insecticidal crystal protein CryLA specific poison scale Alice insect, belongs to scale Alice insect natural Bt protein of monarch butterfly. In fact, Science and Nature declined to comment on the Butterfly article, arguing that it did not reflect the situation in the field and the nature of the report was a form of communication. However, the incident made the front pages of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and other newspapers. Finally, the scientific community event is negative.

The 2001 United Nations Development Plan acknowledged that GMF may pose many safety concerns regarding the potential dangers of GMF and GMC, as well as the need to further disrupt the ecological balance and that they may be produced by their own genetically related species. Super weeds and other plants or animals can have unintended harmful effects. research is necessary to draw conclusions. Therefore, the cultivation of GMC and genetically modified foods should be done with caution, as this may cause immeasurable losses to human health and the ecological environment.

Although there are no cases of genetically modified food being harmful to human health, it does not mean that there is any harm, because the time when it enters people is too short and does not show potential danger in a short period of time. Until now, humanity's long-term food security remains questionable, and the scientific community has not yet reached a consensus on where these foods are safe. These international authorities from the FAO, WHO and cooperative organizations are artificially introducing "unintended consequences" of genetically modified organisms, which is to say that, until now, we do not have sufficient scientific means to conduct risk assessments of genetically modified organisms and foods. Consumers International, which includes 250 consumer organizations in 115 countries around the world, said: "No government or United Nations will claim that genetically modified foods are completely safe.

"; The current application of a large number of genetically modified technologies has brought us huge benefits. From the above analysis, we can still see that the safety of genetically modified foods that cannot be evaluated requires further research and verification. .

Reference:

[1Xu Zongliang, Zhai Xiaomei Bioethics[M].

[2] Shen Mingxian Bioethics[M], 2003.