GM Foods, Detection

Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods:

1. Agricultural – increased yield
2. Environmental – reduced use of pesticides, herbicides and fuel
3. Nutritional – improved quality of food
4. Disease prevention – edible vaccines

Risks of Genetically Modified Foods:

1. Exposure to possible allergens and toxins
2. Harm to the environment
3. Antibiotic resistance
4. Spread of introduced genes to non-target plants by out crossing and pollen drift

Detection of Genetically Modified Foods

There are 2 basic means for detecting genetic modification.

1. Test food for the product of the transgene, usually a protein.

2. Test for the presence of DNA from the transgene or another portion of the gene cassette.

Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) is an assayed protein. Enzyme linked to the antibody (bound to protein) will react with a coloured substrate, enabling detection of a specific protein.

Benefits of ELISA

• ELISA is cheaper then DNA tests
• Give rapid, faster results
• Can sometimes be done on the spot

Disadvantages of ELISA

• Does not work well on processed food (heat during processing may have destroyed the protein)
• DNA tests are very accurate, workable on processed food and can be quantified