Quality and safety implications of genetic manipulations of food crops

Abstract

Biotechnology offers enormous potential to increase the quality and quantity of our food supply while decreasing chemical inputs and conserving non-renewable resources. However, the public is concerned that the technology may pose new and unfamiliar risks and looks to the regulatory agencies to examine and approve new products prior to sale. Assuring the quality and safety of food crops produced using the new technologies of genetic manipulation will be critical in promoting consumer acceptance and commercial success. Industry supports government regulation of biotechnology for public reassurance that such oversight provides and for the high standards it promotes. However, regulatory agencies, seed companies and food processors are currently struggling with the issues this raises for both newly and traditionally derived products. Assuring the safety of foods produced by genetic modification will be discussed here with reference to the recommendations of the International Food Biotechnology Council.