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[Insaan]

Dear Doctor

I have been told that as of now a lot of the foods we eat in Tanzania are genetically modified/engineered.

Can you enlighten me on the effects of such foods on our health?

[Muhammad]

Salamun alaykum

Hope this reaches in best of health.

Firstly we need to understand what are genetically modified food before seeing the (possible) effects.

Genetically modified foods are those whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered with and this is done due to various reasons which include but not limited to crop protection from various bacteria and viruses and increased tolerance to herbicides - this at the end of the day results in increased crop production and at a lower price.

The safety of genetically modified depends on some parameters including direct effects, the potential to provoke allergic reaction, the stability of the inserted genes and unintended effects as a result of the gene insertion.

There are various international and national bodies that govern and over look the genetic modified foods. The safety of each in independent of another- that means individual food safety should and is taken individually and a general safety label cant be applied.

Hope that is helpful

Best regards.