Do GMOs affect pregnant women and their babies?

Expert response from GMOManager

Thursday, 12/04/2018 13:14

Your question is being asked about many things that surround pregnant woman. Recently, studies have shown that many different things can effect pregnancy. Chemicals in water, air, soil, many medications, infections and chronic diseases, poor blood sugar control, tobacco exposure, and even mental and physical stress all carry risk. What happens to the mother, happens to the baby. At risk is not only the baby’s immediate growth and development, but also risk for chronic diseases in later life -- obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Naturally, genetically modified crops are under intense scrutiny.

There are two lines of evidence we can use to answer your question. One is toxicology data from animal models and the other is population level data on humans exposed to GM crops over time. Based on long-term and multi-generational (two to five generations) studies in animals, there has been no additional risk shown to mother, fetus, or pregnancy outcome from GM dietary exposure. Since 1983, GM crops have been introduced into the food supply, including corn, cotton, soybeans, canola, potatoes, eggplants, strawberries, apples, papaya, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, cantaloupe, and even one animal species, a type of salmon. To date, there has not been evidence shown of human health risks tied to GM food exposure. Neither residual DNA nor novel proteins have been found in humans or animals fed GM plant foods.

Continued monitoring of GM effects will be a critical component of this research, though. Since 2000, studies on the potential for allergenicity, transfer of antibiotic resistance, or human toxicity have increased in sophistication. Although public attention is focused on crops, the same GM techniques are being used for developing new drugs and vaccines, overcoming antibiotic resistance, and controlling emerging pathogens. The science of GM has the potential to help humans address health, hunger, malnutrition, and the unpredictability of a shifting climate. As such, it will play a central role in our future.

References:

Snell C, et al. Assessment of the health impact of GM plant diets in long-term and multigenerational animal feeding trials: a literature review. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 50:1134-1148.

Domingo JL. Safety assessment of GM plants: an updated review of the scientific literature. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 95:12-18.

Bawa AS, Anilakumar KR. Genetically modified foods: safety, risks and public concerns – a review. J Food Sci Technol, 2013; 50:1035-1046

Expert response from Karri Hammerstrom

Agricultural Advocate; Grower of Food, Fiber & Kids; Consumer

Wednesday, 04/04/2018 17:25

No.  GMOs neither affect pregnant women nor their babies.

 As GMO fruits and vegetables and their non-GMO counterparts are nutritionally the same, the best thing we can do for our health and that of our children is to avoid heavily processed or “fast’ foods.  As a mother, educator and a farmer of peaches, plums and grapes, I know how difficult it can be to plan healthy meals and snacks while juggling all the other demands of life. I am careful about what we eat and have extensively researched GMOs, and I can decisively state that I support GMOs and biotechnology. 

Agricultural biotechnology for the development of GMOs is probably the most intensively studied agricultural innovation of all time. Researchers of agricultural biotechnology are developing more convenient, healthier choices in grocery stores and tastier foods for the family dinner table. By creating ways to boost the nutritional value of foods using agricultural biotechnology, scientists ensure that foods with GMO ingredients and crops are as safe as their non-GMO counterparts.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was diagnosed with the gestational diabetes. The only way to control my diabetes was with insulin. The insulin we use today is an outcome of researchers trying to manufacture a form of human insulin using biotechnology; and therefore, developing a consistent and safe product that helped control my diabetes and protected my unborn child. And now, as my children are older and I prepare meals for my family, I never hesitate to serve GMO fruits and vegetables with my favorites being zucchini and yellow squash as I try to find fun and creative ways to eat better.

Again, I am confident in the safety of GMOs. I believe the best way to keep my family safe and healthy is to make sure they eat a balanced diet and daily make good food choices. Also, eat fresh and seasonally whenever you can.

Expert response from GMOManager

Wednesday, 04/04/2018 17:21

No.  GMOs neither affect pregnant women nor their babies.

 As GMO fruits and vegetables and their non-GMO counterparts are nutritionally the same, the best thing we can do for our health and that of our children is to avoid heavily processed or “fast’ foods.  As a mother, educator and a farmer of peaches, plums and grapes, I know how difficult it can be to plan healthy meals and snacks while juggling all the other demands of life. I am careful about what we eat and have extensively researched GMOs, and I can decisively state that I support GMOs and biotechnology. 

Agricultural biotechnology for the development of GMOs is probably the most intensively studied agricultural innovation of all time. Researchers of agricultural biotechnology are developing more convenient, healthier choices in grocery stores and tastier foods for the family dinner table. By creating ways to boost the nutritional value of foods using agricultural biotechnology, scientists ensure that foods with GMO ingredients and crops are as safe as their non-GMO counterparts.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was diagnosed with the gestational diabetes. The only way to control my diabetes was with insulin. The insulin we use today is an outcome of researchers trying to manufacture a form of human insulin using biotechnology; and therefore, developing a consistent and safe product that helped control my diabetes and protected my unborn child. And now, as my children are older and I prepare meals for my family, I never hesitate to serve GMO fruits and vegetables with my favorites being zucchini and yellow squash as I try to find fun and creative ways to eat better.

Again, I am confident in the safety of GMOs. I believe the best way to keep my family safe and healthy is to make sure they eat a balanced diet and daily make good food choices. Also, eat fresh and seasonally whenever you can.