Was just debating this with a friend!

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals, or microorganisms that have had their genetic material altered in a laboratory using genetic engineering techniques. The purpose of this modification is often to enhance certain desirable traits, such as increased resistance to pests, tolerance to herbicides, or improved nutritional content. While GMOs are widely used in agriculture, they have become a point of contention due to concerns about their long-term health and environmental effects.
The most common GMO crops in the United States include:
Corn: Genetically modified to resist pests and tolerate herbicides.
Soybeans: Engineered for herbicide resistance.
Canola: Modified to produce oils with improved nutritional profiles.
Cotton: Developed to be pest-resistant.
Sugar beets: Engineered to be herbicide-tolerant.
These crops, or derivatives from them, can be found in countless processed foods, from breakfast cereals to snack bars and even baby formula. Since GMOs were introduced into the food supply in the mid-1990s, concerns have arisen about their potential link to food allergies.
The Connection Between GMOs and Food Allergies
One of the major questions surrounding GMOs is whether the genetic alterations made to crops are contributing to the rise in food allergies. The concern stems from the fact that genetic modification introduces foreign proteins into crops, which could potentially trigger allergic reactions.
While there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking GMO consumption to an increase in food allergies, some studies have raised red flags. For instance:
Bt corn, a genetically modified corn that produces its own pesticide (Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt), was found to cause immune system responses in some animal studies, leading to questions about whether it could trigger similar reactions in humans.
A genetically modified soybean developed in the 1990s that incorporated a Brazil nut protein was found to cause allergic reactions in individuals with Brazil nut allergies. The project was ultimately abandoned due to these findings, but it raised concerns about the potential allergenicity of GMO crops.
While regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conduct allergenicity assessments on new GMOs before they are approved, critics argue that the long-term effects of consuming GMOs are still largely unknown.
Processed Foods and Hidden Allergens
Beyond GMOs, the industrial processing of food has introduced a variety of new chemicals, preservatives, and additives that may be contributing to the rise in food allergies. Highly processed foods often contain: