After a long and hot summer, the body consumes a lot of energy and eats less. Therefore, in the autumn when the temperature is getting lower, it is necessary to adjust the body and also to store good energy for the coming winter. People often ignore the requirements of daily diet because of the fast-paced life. Many people are satisfied only with simple food, neglecting the reasonable mix of nutrition. A bottle of pure water for a snack, a cola for a burger, may fool our stomachs, but this often poses a threat to health. Living Xiaobian specially collects various kinds of dietary health information suitable for you this fall, so that you and your family can be healthy and happy every day!
1, what is genetically modified food
People with some scientific common sense know that genes are the most basic unit for controlling biological traits, and they record the genetic information of biological reproduction. Modifying genes can change some or all of the characteristics of an organism. Genetically modified foods move the genes of plants and animals and change them to create foods with new features. For example, the use of biotechnology to transfer certain animal genes to other species, through the transformation of the genetic organization of organisms, so that it appears original species do not have the characteristics of the original, these changes can be done in accordance with the needs of humans to complete.
For example, people can use the genes of fresh fish to help ordinary plants such as tomatoes and strawberries to protect themselves from the cold; by connecting certain bacterial genes to the plants of corn and soybeans, they can better protect them from pests. The foods processed and processed using these genetically modified organisms as raw materials are genetically modified foods.
According to statistics, there are currently more than 120 genetically modified crops in the world, with an area of ​​more than 44 million hectares, a 25-fold increase over the past four years. In the United States, there are more than 4,000 genetically modified foods that have become common commodities in people's daily lives. There are 22 kinds of genetically modified crops and trees in China, and transgenic cotton has entered large-scale commercial production. However, as of yet, no genetically modified food has been approved for listing. The relevant research report shows that the number of GM crops and primary processed products imported by China in recent years has soared, from 80,000 tons in 1996 to 2.83 million tons in 1999, an increase of 35 times. China has become the world’s fourth largest country in terms of field experiments and commercial production of transgenic crops.
Is it safe to use genetically modified food?
Genetically modified foods come out of the laboratory and are manufactured manually. In stressing the natural, ecological, and health consumption boom today, genetically modified foods are considered by many as “different†and put it into the “cold houseâ€. It can be said that the safety of genetically modified foods has been questioned by many people.
In the world, the United States is the fastest-growing country in terms of genetically modified technology, with the largest number of genetically modified crops and the largest acreage in the country. At present, more than 60% of processed foods in the United States are based on genetically modified crops, and the U.S. public accepts the highest level of genetically modified foods. Public opinion polls show that most Americans accept and use food and food produced using biotechnology, and protesting and boycotting genetically modified foods is the strongest among European consumers. According to the survey, 66% of French people believe that genetically modified foods are harmful to human health. Only 14% of people in the United Kingdom accept genetically modified foods. Most consumers are skeptical about the safety of genetically modified foods.
Judging from the current situation, some aspects of GM products are still unclear. For example, there are some doubts about food safety. Although the first batch of GM tomatoes in the United States has been listed, about 200 million people around the world have consumed thousands of genetically modified foods, and there have been no reported food safety incidents in more than five years. China imports a lot of genetically modified soybeans. It is estimated that about half of the soybean salad oil contains genetically modified components and there are no problems. However, some reports abroad are still worthy of attention. According to British media reports, in the fall of 1998, a British researcher published his experimental results in a television program. Feeding rats with genetically modified potatoes caused abnormal growth of organs in rats, reduced body weight, and destroyed the immune system. Although this matter was later adjusted to a total of six defects in a special review organized by the Royal Society, it still caused people's doubts about genetically modified foods. In fact, according to the internationally accepted biosafety assessment methods, agricultural genetically modified organisms can be classified into 4 levels based on the degree of harm to humans, animals, plants, micro-ecology, and ecological environment of genetically modified organisms: safety level I (no danger exists); Safety Class II (with low hazard); Safety Class III (with moderate hazard); Safety Class IV (with high risk). It can be seen that there are certain safety measures for genetically modified foods. As long as the principle of “precaution†is adhered to, it is entirely possible to ensure the safety of genetically modified foods.
According to another report, the appearance of genetically modified foods is not much different from that of natural foods. Its taste is similar to that of natural foods and may be better. The yield of GMOs is high, but its cost is actually very low. According to reports, genetically modified products that have landed in foreign countries are 20% to 30% cheaper than similar domestic natural products. Some genetically modified foods have been supplemented with genes that increase protein and vitamin levels, and they can supplement the body with adequate amounts of nutrients. It can be said that genetically modified foods are not terrible. We have long enjoyed the rice flavor of hybrid rice. Hybrid rice is a one-time transfer of numerous genes, and it can also be regarded as a transgenic plant. The genetically modified foods contain insect-resistance, Disease-resistant genes do not kill the human body.