What foods have been genetically modified?
Half of the soybeans and over a third of the corn produced in the U.S. are the result of genetic modification, and although they are mainly used for animal feed, some of these foods are on supermarket shelves. There are currently about 40 to 50 genetically modified food products, available in supermarkets, that have been deemed by the FDA to be safe and not require labeling. The probability is high that we have all consumed GM foods at some point without knowing it. Soon to appear will be a new variety of rice that will be engineered to synthesize beta-carotene (provitamin A) to help prevent Vitamin A deficiency, which is a major cause of blindness and death in developing countries. The goal was to prevent nutrition-related blindness in thousands of children (proving once again that the issue of GM foods is beset with irony and difficulty). The genetically modified rice will be required to carry a label because it is an entirely new food, different from what is on the market. Q: Will G
