Are genetically-modified foods hazardous ?
Some GM foods may pose health risks when consumed. A few years ago. a project to insert a brazil nut protein gene into soybean was halted when early tests showed that people allergic to nuts reacted to the modified soy products. Fears have also been expressed about the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) promoter, which has been used in many transgenic crops. It is claimed that the promoter might escape the normal digestive breakdown and insert itself into a human chromosome where it could tum on the genes that otherwise remain unexpressed. Some scientists however. refute it saying that the chain of events that would be necessary for this to happen is unlikely, and that there is no evidence that it occurs. Although in the US, where almost half of the corn crop is GM, there is as yet no cases reported of anyone developing a health problem from consuming GM crops, these crops should be released after ensuring their safety to health and environment..
