Alimentos derivados de cultivos genéticamente modificados. ¿Nuevos, seguros para la salud humana, consumidos?

Abstract

Since 1996, with the approval by the FDA of the first food derived from a genetically modified crop, the tomato SavrFlavr®, which had a delayed maturation, development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has grown rapidly, being considered the biotechnology technique with the faster adoption and globally growth. The development of recombinant DNA technology allowed more efficient and safe developments, such as in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of antibiotics, vaccines, hormones, diagnostics, recombinant human insulin; in floriculture, for the development of new varieties; repair of contaminated environments and in agriculture, for introducing traits, in particular for herbicide tolerance and insects resistance. Parallel to these developments,concerns have arisen about the safety and harmlessness of genetically modified crops and foods derived from them, which has led to the development of biosafety systems that seek to establish appropriate measures for research, use, handling, transportation, safe marketing of GMOs. This paper describes the evolution of the development of biosafety systems for GMOs in this country, the current regulatory system, the procedures, and also describes the gradual process of adoption and use of GM crops.