How Could GM Foods Help Consumers?

Industry has argued that we need GM foods because they will reduce production costs by reducing the need for additional chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) and mechanical inputs. Theoretically, the savings could, in turn, be passed on to the consumer. The nutrition implications are also often cited as an obvious benefit for consumers, since the bioengineering could create plants that could produce more nutritious food. An example of one such product is "Golden Rice." This strain of rice contains beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A and iron. Developing countries that rely on rice as their major food source are often are the same countries to suffer from high rates of childhood blindness and maternal anemia. Iron and vitamin A have been shown to aid in the prevention and treatment of maternal anemia and blindness, so "Golden Rice" might help to reduce the rates of these problems.

Reference:
University of Florida (2009). Genetically Modified Food. Date Retrieved: 11 July 2010. Website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs084

Posted by Sagita Steffi