Does chronic contact to xenobiotic compounds in the human digestive tract carry health risks? Do GMOs contain any molecules that do not naturally occur in nature?

Expert response from Laura Privalle, Ph.D.

Global Head Regulatory Field Study Coordination, BASF

Friday, 11/07/2014 16:53

To answer the first question, we must consider the definition of “xenobiotic compounds.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a xenobiotic is “a chemical compound (such as a drug, pesticide, or carcinogen) that is foreign to a living organism.” By this definition, xenobiotics that are carcinogens cause cancer, for example. So, yes, chronic contact to some xenobiotic compounds can carry health risks.

In answer to your second question: neither non-GM plants nor GM plants contain molecules that do not naturally occur in nature. However, any plant (conventionally, organically or genetically grown) that has had crop-protection solutions applied to it may contain xenobiotics.

What makes GMOs unique and different from conventional plants is that humans have introduced new genes into them. These genes encode proteins that are produced in the plant. Proteins are not foreign to living organisms. They naturally occur in nature and are in fact essential for life (think about what you had for lunch).

We must consume certain quantities of proteins in order to live. Among plants, legumes and nuts have the highest protein levels. All proteins, including the newly produced ones in GMOs, consist of the same 20 amino acids. The proteins we consume are digested to their component parts — amino acids. We take up these amino acids in our digestive system and synthesize our own proteins within our bodies. The specific proteins that are produced in GMOs are found in nature. Bt proteins are found in a soil bacterium known as Bacillus thuringeinsis. Many of the herbicide-resistant proteins are found in other bacteria (such as Agrobacteria) or in plant species (such as corn).