Could eating GM food have an effect on my genes?
No. Eating GM food will not affect a person’s genes. Most of the food we eat contains genes, although in cooked or processed foods, most of the DNA has been destroyed or degraded and the genes are fragmented. Our digestive system breaks them down without any effect on our genetic make-up. Our own genes are made by our bodies from the building blocks that we obtain from digesting any food. This is true of food from GM and non-GM sources.
Most plants or animal cells contain about 30,000 genes, and most GM crops contain an additional 1 – 10 genes in their cells.
Humans have always eaten DNA from plants and animals. Most plants or animal cells contain about 30,000 genes, and most GM crops contain an additional 1-10 genes in their cells. We all eat DNA in our diets, mainly from fresh food and the composition of DNA in GM food is the same as that in non-GM food.
Processing food by cooking leads to the partial or complete breakdown of the DNA molecules, whatever their origin. Likewise, most DNA that is eaten is broken down by our digestive systems but small quantities of fragmented DNA can pass into the bloodstream and organs without having any known effect.
See related questions
- Is it safe to eat GM crops?
- How are GM crops regulated?
- What about unforeseen consequences of GM?
- GM crops have only been around for 20 years, might there still be unexpected and untoward side effects?
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Page last updated: May 2016