Do GMOs affect pregnant women and their babies?

Expert response from GMOManager

Thursday, 04/12/2018 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