Genetically modified foods and children potential health risks

A. Cantani, M. Micera

Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Pediatric Department, “La Sapienza” University – Rome (Italy)

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• Nutrition

Abstract. – Aim. Professor Pusztai was publicly humiliated over claims that genetically modified (GM) Frankenstein food may be harmful. He was stripped of his post and described as ‘muddled’ by his superiors after he referred to experiments in which rats had been damaged when fed genetically-altered potatoes. Who is in an unsound scenario, supported by verbal expressions (“substantially”), should even more expend further effort in conducting scientific investigation into the safety of GM varieties of plants. Observations. Of particular concern is the exposure of infants and children to GM foods (GMFs) because of their possible increased susceptibility for untoward effects. Several examples stress that the ascertainment of human disease emerged after certain materials were widely used. Studies show that some compounds were not adequately tested for toxicity before their commercial introduction, whereas proper premarked testing would have prevented a prolonged exposure. Conclusions. Too often the toxicity of these substances is untested and the potential hazards that they may pose to children have not been examined. Nobody has evaluated whether intrauterine and infant exposure to GMFs may have profound permanent and irreversible consequences even in adult life. In this paper we analyse issues pertaining to children’s health that have been largely ignored.