3. 3
What is GM food?
Use biotechnology to
modify the genetic make-up
of an organism
Genetically modified
organisms (GMOs)
Any food which is, or is
derived from, these GMOs
is called "GM food"
5. 5
Genetic Modification vs
Traditional Breeding
GENETIC MODIFICATION TRADITIONAL BREEDING
Isolate and transfer of well-
defined genes
Introduction of desired
genes across the species
barrier
Desired change can be
achieved in one generation
Crossing of thousands of
genes at one time
Gene transfer usually
within-species
More time consuming in
the process of
observation and natural
selection to achieve the
desired characteristics
6. 6
Examples of GM Food
CROP GM TRAIT EXAMPLES OF FOOD PRODUCTS
Soyabean Herbicide tolerance soy beverages, tofu, soy oil, soy
flour, emulsifiers (i.e. lecithin), and
as ingredients in breads, pastries
and edible oil
Corn Insect resistance
Herbicide tolerance
corn oil, flour, sugar or syrup, and as
ingredients in snacks, bakery,
confectionery and soft drinks
Need to submit for pre-
market safety assessment,
but not the food products
7. 7
Biotech company
(Producer) Pre-market safety
assessment
Manufacturers for
e.g. corn chips
•Product details
•Safety assessment
•Detection methodology
Approved
List of Approved GM Food
Traders
GM corn
Ensure!
Consumers
GM Food Approval Process
(Proposed)
8. 8
Pre-market Safety Assessment
Assessment of whole foods
Based on the principle of
"substantial equivalence” ,
i.e. as safe as the
conventional counterpart
Toxicity
Composition
Allergenicity
Nutritional value
9. 9
GM Food Safety Assessment
Safety of GM food is assessed relative to the
conventional counterpart having a history of safe
use
Taking into account both intended and unintended effects
Identifying new or altered hazards
Identifying changes, relevant to human health, in key
nutrients
10. 10
Codex Framework of Food
Safety Assessment
Expressed substances
Potential toxicity
Potential allergenicity
Compositional analyses of key components
Food processing
Nutritional modification
Evaluation of metabolites (applicable to GM plants and microorganisms)
Health status of the recombinant-DNA animal
(applicable to GM animal)
Other considerations
E.g. use of antibiotic resistance markers
11. 11
Assessment Results
If a new food or component is found to be
substantially equivalent to an existing food
or component
As safe as its conventional counterpart
Where differences are identified, additional
assessments and animal studies will be
carried out
Biotech company has to provide additional
information
12. 12
International Scenario
WHO has recommended their Member Governments to
set up regulatory framework for pre-market safety
assessment of GM food
Different GM organisms include genes inserted in different ways and
thus the safety of individual GM foods should be assessed on a case-
by-case basis
With a view to protect public health, many countries have
put in place a mandatory pre-market safety assessment
scheme for GM food
13. 13
Summary
GM food is any food which is, or is derived from
GMOs
Food safety assessment of GM food focuses on
the safety of identified differences between a GM
food and its conventional counterpart
Many countries have put in place a mandatory
pre-market safety assessment scheme that bases
on the principles of Codex
14. 14
For Further Information
LegCo paper on “Proposed Regulation of
Genetically Modified Food”
http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr12-
13/english/panels/fseh/papers/fe0312cb2-
742-5-e.pdf