Genetically Modified Foods and Allergies

Filed in archive Food Allergies on June 18, 2007

For the longest time, I've refrained from blogging about the connection between genetically modified foods (or what the anti-GMO activists call "frankenfoods") and allergies. The thing is, nobody really knows for sure whether there is a direct link at all. If you search deep enough, there could be as much literature saying there is a link as there are saying that there is none. And I'd really rather not fan rumors and controversies unless I have conclusive literature at hand.

Having worked in experimental rice research before, I think I understand enough of the process not to be fazed by propaganda I read against genetically modified foods and even biotechnology, in general. Some of you have sent me private messages, even newsletters, on the subject. To be honest, personally, I am still ambivalent about GMOs. What galls me, though, is how some people who obviously did not do enough research (and I don't mean just reading the press releases of people whose motives are also questionable) to understand GMOs and allergies, can issue newsletters and distribute them to people who would most likely accept their statements as the whole truth. One cannot dumb-down the issue. One cannot say let's use simple sentences so that the public can understand. No. Either explain the whole shebang, complete with references and data, or say nothing at all. That's what I call honest and responsible advocacy.

There is a lot of politics involved in the GMO market. Be careful, be discerning when reading articles on biotechnology and genetics, and make sure you are not being manipulated to believe something.