Genetically Modified Food - Book Report/Review Example

Critical review on the paper "Evaluation of the sensitization rates and identification of IgE-binding components in wild and genetically modified potatoes in patients with allergic disorders" The ABIC Manifesto, in large extend, explains the necessity of genetically modified (GM) foods. With the growth of the human population, which is "estimated to reach 9 billion by 2040, and with the small but steady decrease of agricultural land (around 70 000 km2 annually)"3, the GM food plants seem like the most effective measure to counter these problems. Nevertheless, there have been serious objections to the manufacture and distribution of GM foods, especially since "1993, Pioneer Hi-Bred International developed a soybean variety with an added gene from a Brazil nut, which is proven to encode proteins that can be allergenic to some people"2. Since then, more rigorous measures and procedures concerning GM food have been implemented in order to prevent such unwanted outcomes. At the same time, suspicion amongst the population towards GM foods has increased, although there is overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. "Around 150 scientific papers have been published concerning GM foods, which claim that GM foods are not more dangerous to human health that standard grown food"1. This paper, in particular, explores the impact of the genetic manipulation on the allergenicity of the GM potato. "The modifications made to the potatoes are such, as to express lectin, which is toxic to insects and nematodes"3. Such genetic modifications are made for the purpose of protecting the potato crops from pests and reduce the use of pesticides. This modification is widely spread, including in South Korea, where this research was made. The abstract is clear and concise. It describes the objectives and the results of the research in a simple and short form, as it is required for and abstract. The authors were careful to present only the most important information of the research, concerning the background, methods, results and conclusions of the research, which we can clearly see it well and thoroughly explained throughout the rest of the paper. The authors of the study also provide a proper background information and context in which the research is placed. They explain that potatoes are amongst the commonly exposed GM foods in South Korea, but nevertheless, there is no research done concerning the allergic risk form GM potatoes. Certain cases of allergic reactions caused by potatoes that were documented are also stated. Therefore, the authors provided sufficient information in order to explain the purpose of the research, as well as the possible outcomes. The methods used in this research are standard and well known. The ELISA and SDS-PAGE techniques are widely used, and they were described in great, step-by-step detail, so the procedures can be repeated again by a different team of researcher if its necessary. Adequate references were cited in the text for a particular step in the procedures. Since these methods represent standard procedures in this kind of experimentation, there are little or no variations from the standard inhibition and specific IgE ELISA and SDS-PAGE techniques. Also, the researchers have not stated the existence of any difficulties in conducting the tests. Careful choosing of experimental subjects is also implemented, as well as the statistical methods used, which were in accordance with the recommendations Standardization Committee of the Northern society of Allergology. The study has also been reviewed by Ajou University Medical center, in Suwon, Korea. Sufficient statistical analyses were performed on the results of the research. Not only the results are presented in an overall statistical analyses, that relates the results to the objectives of the research, but also a statistical analysis is made on the results that derive from the different techniques used in the study. The graphs are well presented, and sufficiently complement the overall presentation of the results. The results are well classified and using the appropriate statistical methods, they are easy to understand and derive the necessary conclusions. The conclusion brought by the authors of the study is logical and expected. They conclude that there is no evidence that the genetic manipulation of potatoes will make them more allergenic than standard, wild potatoes, and that there is no reason to believe that there will be an increase in allergenic risk by GM potatoes. The authors also correlate their study to other studies connected with the allergenicity of GM foods such as soybeans and corn. Although their research is localized on the population of South Korea, the researchers took the liberty to place their research in a broader perspective, which is to some extend, justified. They state that the GM potatoes they used in the study, with the specific genetic manipulation, do not differ in allergenicity from wild potatoes, and they also mention the FAOs' and WHOs' rigorous regulation and decision tree concerning GM food. Nevertheless, they manage not to miss the fact that only one specific protein is a major allergen in the South Korean population and do not try to make assumptions about other non-tested populations. The references placed in the paper are most adequate. Every reference has a purpose and it is not needlessly placed. All references assist in maintaing the structure of the text, as well as assisting the researchers' opinions and gained results. This also applies to the 2 short references, which represent their own previous research. References: 1. Andrew Chesson, Gerhard Flachowsky, Karen Aulrich; Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects (2004) REVIEW ARTICLE in Archives of Animal Nutrition February 2005; 2. Julie A. Nordlee, M.S., Steve L. Taylor, Ph.D., Jeffrey A. Townsend, B.S., Laurie A. Thomas, B.S., and Robert K. Bush, M.D.; "Identification of a Brazil-Nut Allergen in Transgenic Soybeans"; NEJM Volume 334:688-692 March 14, 1996 Number 11 3. Stanley WB Ewen and Arpad Pusztai: "Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine", The Lancet, Volume 354, Issue 9187, October 16, 1999, Pages 1353-1354 4. The International Society of Agricultural Meteorology, viewed 14 November 2006, www.agrometeorology.org/index.phpid=386 Sources: 1. Richard A. Goldsby, Thomas J Kandt, Barbara A. Osbourne, Janis Quby; Immunology, 5th edition; W.H. Freeman and Co, New York 2003 The FAO/WHO decision tree In 1996, the International Food Biotechnology Council and the Allergy and Immunology Institute of the International Life Sciences Institute (IFBC/ILSI) presented a decision-tree approach to the evaluation of the potential allergenicity of a gene produced gained by altering the genes in a food plant. This decision tree consisted of determining "source of the gene, the sequence homology of the newly introduced protein to known allergens, the immunochemical binding of the newly introduced protein with IgE from the blood serum of individuals with known allergies to the transferred genetic material, and the physicochemical properties of the newly introduced protein"1. In contrast to the previous decision-tree strategy, the main difference between the former and the new, revised FAO/WHO 2001 is that the latter decision tree "makes no distinction between commonly and less commonly allergenic source materials with respect to specific serum screening"2. Since its revision in 2001, the decision tree has proven to be most effective way of screening GM foods that cause allergic reactions. It also influences the labeling of the product and therefore, how it is distributed amongst the customers. The FAO/WHO 2001 decision tree still represents the only effective, and internationally accepted way of regulating GM foods, from production, as well as from distribution aspects. Most likely, as technology progresses, new and better modifications will be made, but the basis of the decision tree is its international acceptance, being cited and referenced by every research done in the field of genetically modified food. References: 1. FAO Corporate Document repository 2. Joint FAO/WHO expert consultation on foods derived from biotechnology, Rome, Italy, 22-25 January 2001 Read More