Journal or Publishing Institution: Nature Biotechnology
Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt1002-969
Author(s): Schubert, D.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 2299
Text: As a cell biologist, I am very discouraged by the nature of the ongoing “debate” on the introduction of genetically modified (GM) plants into the marketplace. This discussion has usually pitted irrational emotional arguments against the apparently rational notion that genetic engineering is just like traditional plant breeding, only more specific. In particular, I believe that insufficient attention has been paid to three important issues: first, introduction of the same gene into two different types of cells can produce two very distinct protein molecules; second, the introduction of any gene, whether from a different or the same species, usually significantly changes overall gene expression and therefore the phenotype of the recipient cell; and third, enzymatic pathways introduced to synthesize small molecules, such as vitamins, could interact with endogenous pathways to produce novel molecules. The potential consequence of all of these perturbations could be the biosynthesis of molecules that are toxic, allergenic, or carcinogenic. And there is no a priori way of predicting the outcome. In what follows I outline these concerns and argue that GM food is not a safe option, given our current lack of understanding of the consequences of recombinant technology…
Keywords: California, Consumer Product Safety, Environment, Genetically Modified Food, Plant Gene Expression Regulation, Genetic Engineering, Health Knowledge Attitudes, Health Knowledge Practice, Genetically Modified Plants, Protein Engineering, Public Opinion
Citation: Schubert, D., 2002. A different perspective on GM food. Nature Biotechnology, 20(10), p.969.
