Biotechnology, GMO and GM foods
Biotechnology has been used in food production and processing for thousands of years. The food sources available to early humans, both plant and animal, had evolved through natural selection. Early farmers exploited genetic diversity arising from spontaneous genetic changes (including recombination, mutation and reproductive isolation) by saving the seeds from their best crops for later sowings and by using the best animals for breeding.
Today, biotechnology allows producers to obtain specific traits in a controlled manner, making it possible to grow new plants and breed animals with beneficial traits, thus creating desirable food products. The application of modern biotechnology to food production has shown great potential as a powerful tool for the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, as well as for the food industry.
Among various types of modern biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have gained special attention since the 1990s. Genetically modified organisms are created mainly by using various laboratory techniques of recombinant-DNA (rDNA) technology, which involves altering genetic material outside an organism (transgene) to obtain enhanced and desired characteristics in living organisms or as their product. In this technology, DNA fragments from a variety sources are inserted into a host organism.
While the technology has presented new opportunities and potential benefits for food security, including enhancing specific traits such as drought resistance and flood tolerance, it has also raised consumer concerns due to the novelty of the technology. Various questions have arisen around seed monopolization, biodiversity related risks, safety for human consumption, horizontal gene transfers in the environment, effects on pesticide resistance, consumer choice, sustainability and various socioeconomic and ethical issues. One of the most pressing issues has been the issues around food safety. Thus, it is important for the competent authorities to ensure the safety of foods derived from modern biotechnology and to provide scientific, evidence based and accurate information about the safety of GM foods.
Whole genome sequencing and food safety
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is one of the laboratory tools that identifies the DNA sequences of an organism. The precision, flexibility, efficacy and simplicity of WGS have provided advantages over the combined use of multiple traditional methodologies.
Nanotechnology and food safety
Nanotechnology offers considerable opportunities for the development of innovative products and applications in the food and agriculture sectors, and governments, industry and science communities are investing significantly in its application to food production.
Gene editing
Gene (or genome) editing is an umbrella term for various techniques based in molecular biology used for introducing targeted changes in the genome of living organisms.
Cell based food and precision fermentation
Cell‑based food production involves using cells isolated from animals, plants or microorganisms to produce food products, ingredients or additives.
Precision fermentation often refers to a process that utilizes microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast or fungi to produce specific target products through controlled production systems.
WHO resources
Seminars
FAO's work on GM food safety
FAO provides its Members with sound and neutral advice on the safety of GM foods. From 1999 to 2008, FAO and WHO have provided the Codex Alimentarius with the scientific basis for conducting GM food‑safety assessment. As a result, a series of Codex texts has been developed through the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Food Derived from Biotechnology (TFFBT).
In addition, FAO hosts an international official database, the FAO GM Foods Platform, which is a simple online platform to share information on the safety assessment of foods derived from r‑DNA plants authorized in accordance with the Codex Guideline for conducting safety assessments of such foods (CAC/GL 45-2003, Annex III adopted in 2008). This platform also facilitates the effective utilization of food safety assessment in situations of low level presence (LLP) of r-DNA plant materials in food.
Upon request, and based on resource availability, FAO provides training for government authorities on conducting food safety assessment of GM foods, using the FAO training tool, GM food safety assessment tools for trainers (FAO, 2008).
Information toolkit on food biotechnologies with a focus on food safety (FAO, 2021)
A number of questions and concerns about food biotechnologies have been raised, and governments are expected to address them in an effective and timely manner. However, providing science‑based but easy‑to‑digest answers requires a certain level of understanding of the subject and good communication skills. Therefore, preparedness is key.
This information toolkit on food biotechnologies with a focus on food safety serves as a basis to assist countries in addressing the concerns of the general public regarding food biotechnology and food safety, to support them in raising awareness regarding the science of food biotechnologies and food safety, and to inform discussions and decisions. The toolkit consists of one handbook providing instructions for the whole set of documents and ten booklets (referred to as tools), which cover background information, general information on the scientific aspects of food biotechnologies and food safety, the rationale behind the claimed benefits of GM foods and GM food safety assessments and regulations. The tools also touch upon topics related to GM foods such as human health and the environment, practical uses and applications of the technology, recent developments and innovations, and possibilities to engage with the public.
Background Paper for the Platform Community Meeting 2019
2020
In order for Members of Codex Alimentarius (Codex, 2019a) to share information on Codex-aligned Genetically Modified (GM) food safety assessment, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) maintains an online database entitled “FAO GM Foods Platform”.
Towards effective risk-based food safety assessment and regulatory management. Meeting report
2020
In order for Codex Alimentarius Members to share information on the results of Genetically Modified (GM) food safety assessments, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) maintains an online database entitled “FAO GM Foods Platform”.
GM Food Safety Assessment tools for trainers
2009
While FAO recognizes that genetic engineering has the potential to help increase production and productivity in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, FAO is also mindful of concerns about the potential risks posed by certain aspects of modern biotechnology, including effects on human and animal health and possible environmental consequences.
Featured documents
Developing a communication toolkit on food biotechnologies
2020
Technical consultation meetings on developing a communication toolkit about food biotechnologies were convened in 2020.
Stock-taking report: food biotechnology communication materials in the world
2020
During the Global Community Meeting on the FAO GM Foods Platform, held in September 2019, many participants expressed the strong need for a set of impartial...
Towards effective risk-based food safety assessment and regulatory management. Meeting report
2020
In order for Codex Alimentarius Members to share information on the results of Genetically Modified (GM) food safety assessments, the Food and Agriculture...
